Topic Basics

Thoughtree calls the boxes (nodes) that make up a mind map "topics."

Adding Topics

There are two ways to add topics: as a child topic or as a sibling topic.

• Use the toolbar's "New Child Topic" and "New Sibling Topic" buttons.
• On macOS, you can also use the keyboard shortcuts Tab (child topic) and Return (sibling topic).

Editing a Title

Double-click a topic (on iOS, tap to select it, then tap again) to enter inline editing mode, where you can edit its title in place.

Moving a Topic

Drag a topic to move it.

"Snap to Topic" is on by default: if you drop a topic near another one, it automatically attaches as a child of that topic. You can change this setting from the Inspector's "Layout" tab.

Selecting Multiple Topics

Drag on an empty area of the canvas to select every topic inside the resulting rectangle (rubber-band selection).

Deleting a Topic

Pressing Delete, or using the toolbar's delete button, on a selected topic deletes that topic along with all of its child topics (the branch).

Right-clicking a topic (tap again on iOS) opens a menu with more specific delete options.

• Delete Topic Only: Deletes just that topic; its child topics move up one level.
• Delete Branch: Deletes the topic and all of its child topics.

Copy & Paste

Select a topic and press ⌘C to copy it, then select another topic and press ⌘V to paste it in as a child of the selected topic. ⌘D duplicates a topic.

Floating Topics

On macOS, right-click an empty area of the canvas and choose "New Floating Topic." These are topics that don't belong to the tree structure and can be placed anywhere.