Mind Map Exchange

The interaction, cooperation, and exchange of information and data between people constantly take place in a modern world, both in work and in everyday life. At the same time, if we talk about the communication and data exchange in an electronic form, different people often use varied software. Therefore, the formats of files created by them also differ, and for interaction between them, some additional tools are needed. In this regard, whatever software you use at your work, its import and export capabilities are extremely important. They ensure an easier interaction with colleagues and other people using the applications that differ from your own.

With regard to the Mind Maps, when creating your map in ConceptDraw MINDMAP application, it is incredibly convenient to be able to show it and to edit together with those who for some reason don't have this software installed, as well as to view and, if necessary, to make changes to the map created by your colleague in another mind mapping application.

ConceptDraw MINDMAP extended with Mind Map Exchange Solution is an incredibly useful software with powerful export and import capabilities, as it simplifies greatly the collaboration and data exchange with colleagues and other stakeholders that use in their work varied mind mapping applications. Thanks to this solution, the mindmappers can easily share their Mind Maps designed in ConceptDraw MINDMAP with other people who have installed 3rd party mind map applications. It is realized by means of exporting their ConceptDraw MINDMAP documents to the different popular formats. Besides, you can also easy receive the files in other formats and just modify them in ConceptDraw MINDMAP, if needed. Moreover, ConceptDraw MINDMAP allows you not only to import the files of different formats but also within the application to compose and to combine the maps contained inside the incoming files of different formats, and then to export the final map to any desired format from the list of offered ones.

The Mind Map Exchange Solution extends the ConceptDraw MINDMAP software import and export capabilities giving the ability to easily exchange the data and Mind Maps with a large variety of other mind mapping applications, including Mindjet MindManager, FreeMind, XMind, project management software ConceptDraw PROJECT and Microsoft Project, also other Microsoft Office products, etc.

Thus, the ConceptDraw MINDMAP allows you not to limit yourself, using this application you don’t need to choose with whom you can share your Mind Maps or to wonder if your colleague has got the ConceptDraw MINDMAP installed too or not. Now, each mindmapper can have their own preferences, can create the Mind Maps in the application that he/she likes and then use the function of import or export to the desired format, can use the OPML format, text outline, or copy/paste.

Install this solution Free
What I need to get started
Solution Requirements
This solution requires the following products to be installed:
ConceptDraw MINDMAP v16
Compatibility
Sonoma (14), Sonoma (15)
MS Windows 10, 11
Support for this Solution
Helpdesk

Examples

All Mind Map Exchange samples are ConceptDraw MINDMAP documents, which help you get started with the Mind Map Exchange solution. They are available along with solution installation, and are accessible from the Input tab in ConceptDraw MINDMAP We also use them as a demo samples for solution Remote Presentation for Skype.

Example 1: Expo Ideas

This mind map was created in ConceptDraw MINDMAP to demonstrate the solution's capabilities and the results you can achieve using this solution. An experienced user spent 15 minutes creating this sample.

This MindMap uses graphics to show how one might arrange and co-ordinate an expo presentation. Maps like this help you keep on schedule when timing is all important.

Example 2: Business Startup

If you are creating a new business, it’s a good idea to have a basic plan of action. There are many things to consider with a new startup, and mind maps like this make sure you won’t miss any important details.

Example 3: Sales Plan

As part of a sales team, you need to know how to approach customers, and to have a set of tactics in place to cover all possibilities.

More Examples and Templates

What I Need to Get Started

ConceptDraw MINDMAP and the Mind Map Exchange solution found in the Collaboration Area of ConceptDraw Solution Park are all you need to get started. Make sure both are installed on your computer.

How to install

Download and install ConceptDraw STORE and ConceptDraw MINDMAP Next install the «Mind Map Exchange» solution using the STORE.

Start using

HelpDesk

How to Share your Mind Maps With Others

About

Benefits: The Mind Map Exchange solution allows you to share mind maps with others who have 3rd party mind map applications.

Objective: Provide a powerful set of tools for sharing and receiving files mind map files from 3rd party mind mapping applications.

Solution Purpose: Exchangemind maps with 3rd party mind mapping applications, using ConceptDraw MINDMAP import and export functions, OPML format, text outline, and copy/paste.

Intended For: Mindmappers

Products and methods: ConceptDraw MINDMAP along with the Mind Map Exchange solution delivers a variety of great tools for exchanging mind maps with 3rd party mind map applications.

ConceptDraw MINDMAP Can Use Many Document Types

ConceptDraw MINDMAP is great for breaking through barriers in your workflow. Its intuitive thought organization abilities jumpstart stagnant processes and provide a platform for bursts of creativity that launch stalled projects to new heights. In the continued spirit of breaking down barriers, CS Odessa brings you Mind Map Exchange Phase.

This new Solution expands ConceptDraw MINDMAP ’s already impressive import and export capabilities and includes the following formats:

OPML
Mindjet^® MindManager^®
Microsoft^® Office products:

PowerPoint^®
Project^®
Word^®

FreeMind (import only)
XMind (import only)

If your mind mapping product is not listed, check and see what its import and export capabilities are. There is a good chance it shares a common format(s) with ConceptDraw MINDMAP Future phases of Mind Map Exchange will continue to expand ConceptDraw MINDMAP ’s capabilities. Let us know what your requirements are! Our customers’ feedback is vital to our success.

Exchange Options in ConceptDraw MINDMAP

One of the best features of ConceptDraw MINDMAP is its ability to import from and export to other mind mapping programs’ file formats. Read on to learn about the various importing and exporting options in ConceptDraw MINDMAP.

Importing Data

When you receive a third-party mind map, you can easily import it into ConceptDraw MINDMAP to make additions. ConceptDraw MINDMAP allows you to easily exchange mind maps with colleagues that use any of the above applications and file formats. However, different third-party formats are imported with different features. These import capabilities are summarized below:

Application or file format	Import features
MindManager (.mmap, .xmmap, *.xml)	Structure Resources (including resource usage) Hyperlinks (except hyperlinks to other documents or topics in MindManager) Topic shapes Topic styles (color and style of lines, topic color and text font) Topic text in RTF Styles of topic connectors Topic arrangement settings Floating topics Document scale and turning off settings for child topics Relations (relation styles) Markers Icons Pictures Attachments Relative paths processing and transformation to absolute paths Notes (HTML to RTF converting) Clipart (including attached) Clipart alignment Files from versions 7 through 2012 are supported
FreeMind (*.mm)	Structure Hyperlinks (all types of hyperlinks) Relations (relation styles) Notes Icons HTML to RTF converting Pictures Relative paths processing and transformation to absolute paths
XMind (*.xmind)	Structure Floating topics Hyperlinks (all types of hyperlinks) Notes Pictures Relations (relation styles) Markers Task info Attachments (including audio files)
OPML (NovaMind, iMindMap, MindCad Pyramid)	Structure Notes Hyperlinks
Text outline (MindView, Inspiration)	Structure Notes Hyperlinks

Editing Data

After importing the mind map, you can take full advantage of all of ConceptDraw MINDMAP’s functionality for adding new topics, changing the styles or appearance or the map, adding Topic Types and Data, preparing presentations, and so on. It’s also very easy to combine multiple mind maps with differing formats. Just import them each into separate ConceptDraw MINDMAP windows, and then copy and paste into a single map.

Exporting Data

When working with non-ConceptDraw users, the ability to export your mind maps is essential. Most third-party mind mapping applications can import at least one of the formats that ConceptDraw MINDMAP can export. As with importing, different features are exported in different file formats.

Application or file format	Import features
MindManager (.mmap, .xmmap, *.xml)	Structure Hyperlinks (all types of hyperlinks) Relations (relation styles) Resources (including resource usage) Icons Standard symbol converting and type grouping Topic arrangement settings (including floating callouts) Topics numeration Topic styles Topic text (not in RTF) Map scale Notes (not in RTF, HTML lines transfer) Clipart alignment Pictures (including vector pictures, attached pictures and pictures from child topics) Attachments Converts to MindManager 2012
OPML (NovaMind, iMindmap, MindCad Pyramid)	Structure Notes Hyperlinks
Text outline (MindMapper, Inspiration)	Structure Notes Hyperlinks

Alternative Ways to Exchange

If a specific file format or application does not appear on the import or export list, you still haveoptions for exchanging mind maps with third party applications. Often you can import or export files through intermediary applications, like Microsoft^® Office programs.

MS Excel^®: Some mind mapping applications have the option to export to MS Excel. This option can be used to create an outline, which can then be copied-and-pasted into ConceptDraw MINDMAP.

MS PowerPoint^®: Exporting from ConceptDraw MINDMAP to PowerPoint will allow you to exchange the structure of your map with other applications. Export/import to MS PowerPoint is explained in the Presentation Exchange Solution Overview.

MS Project^®: ConceptDraw MINDMAP can import MS Project files (*.xml, *.mpp, *.mpt and *.mpx) and then export to *.xml formats.

Mission IS possible: Building bridges in the world of mind mapping

More and more people are joining the world of mind mapping and they all have the option to choose which tool they want to use based on their own preferences. With nearly one hundred mind mapping programs available, it is important that they are all able to understand each other when it comes to exchanging mind maps, despite the fact that their maps have been created in different programs, and thus in different formats.

It is CS Odessa’s hope that very soon there will be an accepted common format for mind maps supported by all programs; a kind of «Esperanto» for mind maps. This way everyone will «speak the same language», so to speak, and mapped work can be easily shared amongst all supported mind mapping programs.

For now mindmappers are stuck looking for other ways to communicate with each other when working with different mind map formats. Some have had to change the programs they use in order to collaborate and exchange mind maps, while others who are reluctant to make a change are left somewhat isolated and unable to share their original visions.

Of course, the best scenario for mindmappers is for them to be able to use their tool of choice AND effortlessly communicate their work with users of all other mind mapping programs. With that said, it is up to the developers of mind mapping programs to move forward and take care of their users by allowing them to exchange mind maps without barrier.

The Mind Map Exchange solution is such an initiative taken by ConceptDraw to assist its mindmappers in the easy exchange of information. With the new import and export function that Mind Map Exchange provides, ConceptDraw MINDMAP users can communicate with users of many popular mind mapping programs.

The following table lists the methods and formats for import and export ConceptDraw MINDMAP maps for other programs.

If you have found your favorite program in the table, congratulations! Your mind maps now have the ability to be understood by others. If not, don’t worry. There are alternatives that exist for exchanging your ConceptDraw MINDMAP files, such as copying and pasting between other common document formats such as MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, plain text document.