User Guide

Different formats

This section will detail the different file formats when importing and exporting.

MindNode

The MindNode export option allows you to export a single file MindNode document.

If you have an older device running an older version of MindNode, there is also a legacy export option, which ensures the compatibility of the file and the legacy app. In this case, make sure to switch it on in the export options. Just keep in mind that this means newer features won't be included in the file.

FreeMind

MindNode can import and export other mind mapping formats like the FreeMind format, which most other mind mapping apps support. You can also open Mindjet MindManager, XMind, XMind Zen, and iThoughts files through MindNode. However, keep in mind that FreeMind, iThoughts, and older versions of MindNode do not support tags, which might be true for other features.

OPML

MindNode can import and export OPML files supported by most outlining apps. However, it is worth keeping in mind that OPML files do not retain text formatting when being exported. Instead, tags are added to OPML files in the #CamelCaseHashtag format at the end of each node title.

Markdown

MindNode can import and export Markdown files with images (.textbundle) or without images (.md). In those files:

• Node titles are headings prefixed with the corresponding number of # in front of them for each level.
• Notes are text below those headings.
• Tags look like this: #tagname (using the #CamelCaseHashtag format).
• Tasks look like this: - [ ] task.

Text

There are several different text file formats MindNode can import and export:

Plain text (.txt):

• Doesn’t preserve text attributes such as font, size, color, etc.
• Tags look like this: #tagname (using the #CamelCaseHashtag format).
• Tasks look like this: - [ ] task name.
• Notes are just more text, so they are basically the same as node titles, which is why it’s impossible to import notes as they don’t have special syntax.

Rich Text (.rtf)

• Preserves text attributes like font, size, color, etc.
• Tags look like this: #tagname (using the CamelCaseHashtag format).
• Open tasks use ◦.
• Finished tasks use ✓.

CSV

• Header with levels.
• Or header with levels and tags.
• Then, node titles.
• Tasks look like this: - [ ] task name.
• Tags are in a separate column at the end called "tags". In that column, multiple tags are separated by commas.

Note: Notes and images are discarded when exporting.

TaskPaper

Taskpaper files are plain text to-do lists.

• Every line in TaskPaper is a task.
• Finished tasks use @done syntax.
• Unfinished tasks have no syntax.
• Tags look like this: @tags(tagname) (TaskPaper uses the CamelCaseHashtag format for tags, but with @ instead of as the hashtag).
• Notes are included, but images are discarded when exporting.

Microsoft Word .docx (export and Mac only)

• Preserves text attributes like font, size, color, etc.
• Tags look like this: #tagname (using the #CamelCaseHashtag format).
• Open tasks use ◦.
• Finished tasks use ✓.

Something to keep in mind regarding tags: when exporting, the tags are added after each node's title. For example, an exported line may look like this: "This is the node title #Tag1 #Tag2". When importing, any tags in a line are added to the imported node, and trailing tags are dropped from the node title. For example, “This is an #Important node #Awesome” will be imported as a node with the title "This is an #Important node" and the tags "Important" and "Awesome".

PDF

PDFs can only be exported. You can choose whether you want to export the mind map or the outline for those files. You can then again choose whether notes and/or tags should be included in the outline.

Images

Images can only be exported, which will create a PNG file of your mind map. For those files, you can choose whether you want the background to be transparent or not.

Tasks

Once you have completed your project planning, you might wish to use your tasks as a list. In MindNode, you can integrate Reminders for tasks and share them with Things and OmniFocus. You can also import and export TaskPaper documents into MindNode.

In the Share menu, you will find the option to export to Reminders, which will create a new list in the Reminders app. The title of the list will be the name of your Document. When you check items as complete in either Reminders or MindNode, the completion will be synchronized across both. To update your list with new tasks you have added, or change task titles, export the list again. New items will be added, and titles will be updated.

A note regarding limitations:

1. Deleting items in Reminders or your MindNode document will not delete the items in your MindNode file. Only task completion will be in sync. The same goes for editing task titles, they will not be synchronized.
2. Only tasks will appear in the Reminders list, not their parent nodes. The branch path will be added to the task above the note imported from MindNode.

Sharing to Things, OmniFocus and TaskPaper will create a new list for you. However, these do not update automatically with changes you make to your MindNode file.

Tags in task lists:

• Reminders: Tags are added as a comma-separated list in the notes field of each reminder.
• OmniFocus: Uses the TaskPaper format for export.
• Things: Please note that Things only imports tags you have previously added in Things manually. Also, Things only supports tags in To-Dos, not in Headings. That means only nodes with child nodes in MindNode will have their tags exported to Things.