Layouts

A layout decides where topics sit on the canvas. It never changes what is in the map, so you can switch as often as you like. Open ⋮ → Layout and tap one. The map re-arranges itself and the view zooms to fit.

Horizontal is free. The other seven need Pro.

The eight layouts

Layout	What it looks like	Good for
Horizontal	Branches to the left and right of the central topic, balanced by size	Classic mind maps and brainstorming
Vertical Pro	Branches above and below	Tall screens, and maps with long topic names
Top-down Pro	An org chart, where everything flows downward	Teams, hierarchies and breakdowns of work
List Pro	An indented outline, drawn on the canvas	Reading a map top to bottom
Radial Pro	Rings around the centre, one ring per level	Exploring a topic in every direction
Matrix Pro	A grid of branches, each one a small list	Comparing several areas side by side
Linear Pro	A timeline of branches, with the details under each	Plans, phases and schedules
Free-form Pro	Every topic stays exactly where you put it	Maps where position means something

Free-form

In every other layout the app places topics for you, and a topic you drag onto empty space springs back. In free-form, it stays where you drop it.

Switching to free-form keeps the map exactly where it was, so nothing jumps. You start from the tidy arrangement you already had and adjust from there. New topics still arrive in a sensible spot below their siblings rather than piled on top of each other.

Compact spacing

At the bottom of the layout sheet, Compact spacing shortens the connectors so more of the map fits on screen. It works with all eight layouts. Topics stay the same size. To change text size, go to Settings → Topic text size instead.

Compact spacing is saved with the map, so one map can be compact while the others are not. Image and PDF exports use the same spacing you see on screen.

If your subscription ends

Maps keep the layout they were saved with, and stay fully editable. The lock only applies to choosing a Pro layout again, never to showing one you already have.

Related

• Change layout and style: step by step
• Style and themes: colours, shapes and fonts
• Free and Pro: everything Pro adds