How to Make a Mind Map on Microsoft Word
A mind map is a graphical way to represent concepts and ideas in a hierarchical structure. The purpose is to help structure the information so that it can be more easily comprehended. A mind map starts with a central idea, usually expressed as a word enclosed in a shape. Lines are drawn leading away from this shape and connect to other words and shapes that explain or are related to the first idea. These shapes can then be connected to other shapes that further break down the idea. A mind map can be expanded in this manner as needed.
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Instructions
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1
Open Microsoft Word and click on the "Autoshapes" menu in the Draw toolbar. If you do not see the Draw toolbar, click on the "View" menu at the top of the program window, then hover the mouse pointer over the "Toolbars" option, then click "Drawing" to show the Draw toolbar.
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Hover the mouse pointer over the "Flowcharts" option in the "Autoshapes" menu until the Flowcharts menu pops up, then click on the bar at the top of that menu and drag the Flowcharts menu away from the Draw toolbar. This should create a free-floating Flowcharts menu.
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Click on the "Autoshapes" button once again, then hover the mouse pointer over the "Callouts" option until the Callouts menu pops up. Click and drag the bar at the top of the Callout menu away from the Draw toolbar to create a free-floating Callouts menu. Position both menus off to the side of the work area, being careful not to accidentally re-dock them at the edge of the screen.
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Select a shape from the Flowcharts menu that will serve as the central idea of your mind map by clicking on it. Click and drag in a diagonal direction on the main work area of your screen to create a shape. By dragging your mouse further from the original point of your click, you can create a larger shape. Release the mouse button when the shape is the size and dimensions that you want.
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Click on the "Text Box" button on the Draw toolbar, which looks like a small box with the letter "A" in it. Click inside of the shape that you created and then type in your central idea. For example, type the word "Sports" in the text box.
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Use the Draw toolbar options to change the color and thickness of the shape, and use the font size, color, style and font options at the top of the program window to adjust the text.
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Click on one of the Callout buttons in the Callout menu (Line Callout 1 through 4 work well), then click on the edge of the first shape and drag away from the shape a small distance, then release the mouse button. The Callout box tool creates a new shape in which you can input text and a line that connects the new shape to the original shape.
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Type your related idea or concept into this new shape. For example, if the main idea is the word "Sports," then you could type in "Baseball" for this related idea.
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Create more Callout boxes that link to the original idea/shape. You can also create Callout boxes that link from other Callout boxes to create a web of related thoughts. For example, you can create several Callout boxes that leads from your "Baseball" idea and type in the various sports equipment you require to play baseball (bat, ball, glove, etc.).
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Tips & Warnings
Save your work periodically by clicking the "Save" icon in the upper area of the program window.
