Creating maps
Keywords: creating mind maps,root node,interface

## Creating mindmaps

You create mindmaps in "mindmap" mode, which is how FreeMind starts up.

Create a new map by opening the File menu and clicking New.

FreeMind will create a new screen, with an oval in the center labeled "New mindmap". This is the "root node". You will build your map by adding nodes to the root.

For a look at the screen with a small map, see the FreeMind interface.

The new root node will be highlighted with gray, which means it's currently selected. Clicking on it will open the text for editing. Do this and enter a name, such as "My Ideas", and hit Enter.

When you right-click on a node, you'll see a context menu that offers several options, such as "New Child Node". Notice that many of the options also have shortcut keys. For example, you can add a child node to your root node by selecting it and hitting the Insert key.

The root node can only have child nodes. With other nodes, you can create sibling nodes (at the same level) or child nodes. Nodes are connected by lines known as edges.

As you build your map, you can set colors, sizes, fonts and other attributes to emphasize nodes and edges. For example, you might want to highlight all "action items" in red. Nodes can be "folded" or "unfolded" by clicking on them. Unfolding a node displays the nodes below it. You can also insert, delete and rearrange nodes quickly. See Editing your maps for details.

Tip: Quickly change to a different already opened mind map:
You can right-click on the background and select a different map from the menu.