# Topic Basics (/docs/guide/topics)



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

## Adding 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 [#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 [#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 [#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 [#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 [#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 [#floating-topics]

<Callout title="macOS Only">
  Floating topics can currently only be created on macOS. There is no way to create them from iOS yet.
</Callout>

**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.