Organise your ideas with mind mapping

Two related nodes that aren’t already directly connected can be linked with an arrow.

Left-click on the first node, hold down the Shift button and then left-click on the second node.

Click on the Insert menu and select Add Graphical Link.

Too many lines in a mind map can look messy, so an alternative is to link the nodes rather like two web pages.

Select both nodes as above, click on the Insert menu and then on Add Local Hyperlink. A small red arrow appears on the first node. Left-click on it to jump to the linked node.

To quickly add some colour and formatting to the entire map with little effort, click on the Format menu and then on Automatic Layout.

Getting around
As a mind map gets bigger it can become harder to find or see the part that you want. The arrow keys can be used to move around the map, or you can scroll using the mouse. Move the cursor over a clear section of the map and hold down the left mouse button. Move the mouse without releasing the button and the map will move too.

To save the mind map, left-click on the File menu and select Save. Freemind will usually save mind maps as a Freemind file, but it can also save the map as an image file, useful for putting on a website, or a PDF file that can be emailed to friends or colleagues.

The best way to use the information in the map with a word processor is to export it as an HTML file. Both Word and Openoffice can open these files keeping some of the formatting.

Freemind is remarkably useful considering that it costs nothing, but if you catch the mind mapping bug then you might want a program that can export maps directly to Word or Powerpoint.

Mindjet Mindmanager can do this and it has a brainstorming mode for getting ideas down quickly so they can be organised into a meaningful plan. The program costs a wallet-wilting £235, but an educational licence costs just £55.

Mind mapping can help with any task that involves planning or learning, from homework to planning a holiday. And with great software like Freemind available at no cost, there’s no reason not to try it today.