How to Make a Mindmap on PowerPoint in 60 Seconds

Mind maps are a tool that can really help you organize your thoughts when you're developing an idea. And they're easy enough to create in Microsoft PowerPoint.

Before we dive into our tutorial on mind mapping, we also have a helpful compliment to this tutorial. Download our FREE eBook: The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations. Grab it now before you read on.

Note: In this tutorial we use the Iconic Template. You can get great PPT presentation templates from Envato Elements or in our Ultimate Guide to the Best Microsoft PowerPoint Templates.

How to Create Mind Maps on PowerPoint

Note: Watch this short tutorial screencast or follow the quick steps below that complement this video.

1. Open a New Slide

Here's an example of what a mind map can look like.

A mind map graphic like this one that we're looking at here is a great way to organize your thoughts. Let's start off from a new slide and go to Insert > SmartArt on PowerPoint's ribbon.

2. Use SmartArt to Add Shapes 

There are a variety of SmartArt styles you can use, but I'm going to go to the Hierarchy options and choose Horizontal Hierarchy. Next, I'm going to press OK. 

3. Create Mind Map Branches

Use this mind map template to generate ideas. For example, I can start off with simple goal like: Get New Clients.

Then, I'll branch off into two different strategies like Online Marketing and In-Person Advertising. If I wanted to add a third option, I could press Enter on my keyboard, and add that point new point. 

Continue adding branches and shapes to your PowerPoint mind map graphic until it's complete.

Finishing Up!

Using SmartArt in PowerPoint is easier to use than many other tools for when you're constantly changing the idea behind your mind map. SmartArt is flexible enough to adapt as we think of and revise ideas. 

Basically, all that you're doing to create mind maps on PowerPoint is kind of letting your mind wander and rapidly building out ideas using the mind mapping feature in PowerPoint's SmartArt. 

More Envato Tuts+ PowerPoint Presentation Tutorials

Learn more in our PowerPoint tutorials and quick video tutorials on Envato Tuts+. We have an assortment of PowerPoint material to help you work better with images in your presentations:

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  How to Combine PowerPoint Presentation Files in 60 Seconds
  
  
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  How to Start Using SmartArt in PowerPoint in 60 Seconds
  
  
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  How to Make a Flowchart in PowerPoint With Templates
  
  
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Make Great Presentations (Free PDF eBook Download)

We also have the perfect complement to this tutorial, which will walk you through the complete presentation process. Learn how to write your presentation, design it like a pro, and prepare it to present powerfully.

Download our new eBook: The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations. It's available for free with a subscription to the Tuts+ Business Newsletter.