The subtopics layout formatting options include:
growth direction - map, tree or org-chart layout
line style - the shape of the connecting lines
line anchor - the originating point on the parent topic for subtopic connecting lines
spacing - the distance from the parent topic to its subtopic and the distance between its sibling topics
These options apply to the subtopics of the currently selected topic, or to the whole map if you select the Central Topic. You can only set these options in Map View.
Select the topic(s).
On the Format tab, in the Topics group, click Growth Direction. and Topic Line Style to change these options.
For Org-chart topics, Growth Direction applies to 3 levels by default, but you may choose the number of levels to include. Topics below this level return to Map topics unless you specify a different format for them..
Select the topic(s).
On the
Format tab, in the Layout
group, you can increase or decrease
Sibling topic spacing
and
Parent-child
spacing.
To distribute main topics evenly around the central topic, right-click on the map background, and then click Balance Map.
The spacing between Main Topics on the map is controlled using the General Layout option for Minimum Main Topics Height.
Select the topic(s).
On the Format tab, click the Topics dialog launcher.
Change the settings on the Subtopics Layout tab to meet your needs
Some experimentation may be required to get just the right "look" for your map - click Apply to see how your settings will look without leaving the dialog.
On any of the tabs, use the Style button if you wish to:
Save as New Style Default: Save all the topic's format settings as the automatic style for topics of the same type at this level. The settings become part of the current map's style. All existing topics at this level assume these attributes (unless they have been individually formatted), as will any new topics you create. You can save these new settings as a Style Template that you can re-use on other maps. You can see these new attributes in the Modify Style view.
Reset to Style Default: Reset the topic to the automatic formatting of the current style.