Mind Maps¶
Beyond Markdown, VNote supports mind maps as a first-class note type. A mind map is its own kind of note — created, edited, and stored inside a notebook just like a Markdown note — that you build visually as a tree of connected nodes rather than writing as text.
Mind maps are their own note type¶
In VNote a mind map is not a rendering of a Markdown document; it is a distinct file type. Mind-map notes are saved with the .emind extension and open in VNote's dedicated mind-map editor rather than the Markdown editor. They sit alongside your Markdown notes in the same notebook, folder tree, and navigation panel.
Because a mind map is a real note, everything you know about managing notes applies: it lives inside the Notebook Root Folder, travels with the notebook when you copy or sync it, and can be organized in folders.
Creating a mind map¶
Create a mind map the same way you create any note — through New Note — and choose the Mind Map type instead of Markdown. VNote creates an .emind note and opens it in the mind-map editor, ready for you to add nodes.
Editing a mind map¶
The mind-map editor is a visual, node-based canvas: you add child and sibling nodes, connect and rearrange them, and build out branches to structure ideas radially. This makes mind maps well suited to brainstorming, planning, and outlining relationships that are awkward to express as a linear document.
Mind-map editing has its own settings, separate from the text and Markdown editors. See Settings for where editor configuration lives.
Mind maps vs. Markdown outlines¶
- Reach for a mind map when you want a free-form, visual tree of ideas that you manipulate directly.
- Reach for a Markdown note with headings and nested lists when you want linear, text-first content; its structure still drives the interactive outline and can be exported. See Markdown Syntax.
The two are complementary note types — pick whichever fits how you want to capture the material.