Mindmapping with Evernotes

[Lucas Mello 8]

Dear responsible and fellows of the evernote community

The only thing i miss in my daily routine - considering i use Evernote for literally my whole life -, is a mindmap creator resource.

Beside the obvious missfortune of having to pay another tool just for making a few mindmaps, the real problem is that i can't change that mindmap once i've converted it into a PDF form0(in order to clip onto  Evernote).

So, i think it would be a huge improvement to Evernote to provide us a mindmap tool integrated with the regular notes, similar to the "tables" (or charts?) tool we have.

If you guys agree please foment this thread!

Thanks for your attention and my apologies for any language mistakes. 

With my best regards,

Lucas Mello

 

[tomroesler 1]

Thanks, all. I discovered that MindMup allows for notes to be associated with each node, so I'll probably just use that. It just feels uncomfortable to have a second place where I'm putting thoughts, ideas and relevant information outside of Evernote. 

Seems like a natural opportunity for Evernote and MindMup to partner. Maybe I'll start asking MindMup to reach out the EN and see if they'd ever consider it.

Thanks, again!

[tomroesler 1]

I've been using MindMup but agree with Lucas.

It's not so much that I want to keep the mindmap in Evernote (although I certainly do) rather, it's more that I would like to be able to have each node be associated with a note so I can store ideas, thoughts, progress, etc. with it. 

MindMup actually lets me do that, but as an Evernote-devote, I would prefer to keep it all in one place for obvious reasons. 

Much like I can use note links to jump from one note to another related note (thought), I'd love to be able to do the same with a mind map...tap on a note (thought) and see everything associated with it.

In my mind's eye, I'm seeing something similar to Mohiomaps, although more of a mindmap than a system that illustrates my file/note structure.

Does anyone have any suggestions or work arounds to do more than just insert a jpg of my mindmap into Evernote?

[gazumped 12,222]

With a support count of 4 so far (see top left of this page) this does not appear likely to happen any time soon. 

I use mind maps - FreePlane in my case - but I wouldn't like to have the job of deciding how to fit in all the necessary menu options onto a Note page - that has to be accessible to four operating systems (including updates and OEM versions) on screen sizes ranging from 2" to huge.  

I put a FP wiindow on top of a note window just to get an idea - there's some overlap,  but the devil's in the details - especially when all the branches from the blue main topic are effectively separate notes in themselves.  Kinda also throws the context of Stacks / Notebooks / Notes out the window right there.

I said before.  I prefer using a dedicated,  experienced,  best-of-breed app like FreePlane for my mindmaps,  many of which are stored as attachments to their related note.

Freeplane within a Note window

many of which are stored as attachments...

[jefito 5,598]

While I'm not willing to 'foment' this topic, I am willing to move it to a feature request forum so it can garner upvotes (and maybe be merged with other existing mind-mapping requests)...

[gazumped 12,222]

Hi.  While I totally agree with you that Mind Maps are one of the best tools for organising some data (alongside a certain product with an interest in green elephants),  the software is hugely complicated.  There are free versions like (of course) FreePlane,  and expensive ones like Mind Manager.  Both have been around for years,  and are into who knows how many versions by now.

So.  If Evernote gets into Mind Mapping,  they have to:

• buy in a solution and fit it into their network solutions.  Requires lots of development budget and a large fee / profit share with a third party. 
  Cost of Evernote (at least) doubles.
• Or they can build their own solution.  Requires lots and LOTS of development time,  beta tests and a new version every few months until they get it halfway right.  Long delays, big development costs - Evernote subs at least double.

Are we sensing a theme here?

Like lots of other specialised users I have a lot of mind maps.  Some are JPGs so they'll be visible in the database.  I embed the FreePlane file in the same note so I can open it anywhere I can use the app,  and make any edits.  The JPG is mainly to give me some indexed keywords for my 'senior' moments.

In other cases - where I have linked maps or lots of images - I've used other web space,  including Google Drive,  to store the maps and just left a link in my note.

Either way it's almost like having an Evernote Mindmap tool to play with.  Honest... 

[GiacomoLaw 134]

I just use Mindnode to make my mindmaps, then export it as an image or PDF and attach it to a note.

Lucidchart is also great if you are looking for a free web tool  

[DTLow 5,749]

On 2017-06-05 at 5:05 AM, Lucas Mello said:

Beside the obvious missfortune of having to pay another tool just for making a few mindmaps

I have no problem using alternate editors for my Evernote data, be it word processing, code editing, spreadsheets, or mindmaps.

I use the best tool for the job.

I also convert files to  PDF format to attach to a note.  I also attach the file in its native format so it's available for editing

[dconnet 529]

3 hours ago, gazumped said:

the software is hugely complicated

I can completely agree with this. (I used to work on MindManager)

[gazumped 12,222]

(but I'm duly impressed) 

[gazumped 12,222]

On 01/11/2017 at 7:03 PM, tomroesler said:

I would like to be able to have each node be associated with a note so I can store ideas, thoughts, progress, etc. with it.

Hi.  That's the sort of thing I mean when I talked about mindmaps and note links. Here's a very basic example in Freeplane,  with all but the project names being links to open associated notes in Evernote.  The exact process depends on which mapping software you're using,  but most changes can go into Evernote - either directly or by accessing notes through the map links - with the map acting simply as a visual link between notes.  Relations between sub projects can be shown on the map with additional shading / lines / layout etc

[FactMan 196]

5 minutes ago, gazumped said:

Hi.  That's the sort of thing I mean when I talked about mindmaps and note links. Here's a very basic example in Freeplane,  with all but the project names being links to open associated notes in Evernote.  The exact process depends on which mapping software you're using,  but most changes can go into Evernote - either directly or by accessing notes through the map links - with the map acting simply as a visual link between notes.  Relations between sub projects can be shown on the map with additional shading / lines / layout etc

I haven't done much mind-mapping recently, but this clearly demonstrates how it should work - you could also do links to notes that are tables of contents notes within Evernote. This does rely on having a firm structure for where you put your notes, of course. IMHO, Evernote is good at managing the notes, and mind-mapping can get so complex it would confuse a lot of people and maybe even the developers. Let's focus on each app doing what it is good at doing, rather than having one app that does everything we could possibly want it to do - note management, full-blown editor for text and spreadsheets, image editor, mind-mapping, etc. To name just a few. Heck, I could probably add dishwashing, vacuum cleaning, and grass cutting to the list, too - LOL! Maybe lists of the apps that do each of the things that we "might" want to do in combination with EN would be something we could do...

[DTLow 5,749]

27 minutes ago, FactMan said:

Evernote is good at managing the notes, and mind-mapping can get so complex it would confuse a lot of people and maybe even the developers.

Agreed.  Mind-mapping is not applicable for a large percentage of my notes

In the above examples (project - subprojects), I do include forms of TOC/mindmaping in my project notes

[markjl 55]

I just don't agree with the argument its complex, moh.io did it and it was fantastic.

Evernote should buy them out, since the site is down and I for one am waiting eagerly for it to come back.

Its mindmaps integrated with evernotes. Awesome (as they say)

And, the point of Evernote is to have everything in one place. A mindmap by definition analyzes a portion, a domain. Where better to dip into than the Evernote library for material to mindmap?

[Don Dz 166]

I think the simplest solution is to put a file link in Evernote, say all the  Mindmaps in your computer, basically using Evernote as an index to your files.  

I know how to do this one file at a time, the trick is how to do it in bulk, otherwise I would be doing it all the time.

[Maddhin 25]

I stumbled across this thread and got curious: Mind Manager 2018 actually has EN quite nicely integrated: you can add EN links to the map items and if you use the external links, the notes are opened in the MM2018 integrated browser right next to the map. If you use the internal links, you jump into the note in EN desktop.

Looks like you get something useful and productive - if willing to invest a small fortune...

[Don Dz 166]

22 minutes ago, Maddhin said:

Looks like you get something useful and productive - if willing to invest a small fortune...

The small fortune might the worth it the first time, but each upgrade is nearly as expensive.  I have an earlier version which I like, but the upgrades I find prohibitively expensive and they are usually just incremental.

[Maddhin 25]

27 minutes ago, Don Dz said:

The small fortune might the worth it the first time, but each upgrade is nearly as expensive.  I have an earlier version which I like, but the upgrades I find prohibitively expensive and they are usually just incremental.

I actually did not mean to advertise Mind Manager as I, too, find the pricing unreasonable for any consumer. I never understood how they can stay in business. I guess all those consulting companies buy in bulk to reduce tax?

But I actually didn't know MM had this neat EN integration. Thanks for the thread!:) But I would also be happy to have a open source/free/cheaper alternative.

[gazumped 12,222]

4 hours ago, Maddhin said:

I actually didn't know MM had this neat EN integration. Thanks for the thread!:) But I would also be happy to have a open source/free/cheaper alternative.

Hi.  Try Freeplane.  AFAIK any mind map app that can save URLs can save en Evernote note link,  so embedding note data into a map is something I have been doing for a while.  I'm a lapsed Mind Manager user too.  I like the concept but there are tons of corporate bells and whistles I do not need,  and the cost is ridiculous for the value I get out of it.

[Maddhin 25]

I asked at Freeplane forum if we can get EN icons for links leading to EN. Maybe Freeplane becomes a bit more like Mind Manager then... ?

[Don Dz 166]

12 hours ago, Maddhin said:

I asked at Freeplane forum if we can get EN icons for links leading to EN. Maybe Freeplane becomes a bit more like Mind Manager then... ?

In Evernote a link can be added directly to an emoji via the right click hyperlink menu  (I just tested it and it works), if the other program supports emojis and hyperlinks, the same approach should work in theory.

[gazumped 12,222]

Adding icons to Freeplane is no biggy - this is a section of a demo map that I altered with a quick update.  The red arrows indicate a hyperlink,  the (oversize) Evernote icon is a manually bodged version added via

• Freeplane > Tools > Open User Directory
• Go to folder: Icons
• Add in new icon (as .PNG)
• Restart Freeplane
• Freeplane > Edit > Icons to use...

- the blue highlight is my selection of that node to add the icon.

An internet image search for "evernote logo" generated lots of options...

[KentZhang 1]

I also have the same requirements

I'd like to create and edit mindmap inside EverNote

Some moments, i considered can i do this thing myself, but i found that it seems the only way is create a application using Evernote's data platform, creating mindmaps outside Evernote.

I don't want this i think, does this method that creating a mindmap outside Evernote has any different with using structured text format to act as mindmap inside Evernote?

I consider it's same, both of two methods are uncomfortable and inconvenient.

So, i persist in suggesting it should be able to create and edit mindmap inside Evernote.

Or, maybe a plugin platform could be opportunity for developers to solve this problem.

I really have a desire to create and edit mindmap inside Evernote.   

[ami. 0]

SimpleMind is great. It would be so useful to people if it could sync with Evernote! 

It already syncs with dropbox, which is good, I hope they partner up to sync with Evernote as well as this would make it even better! Having the option of both would make it really stand out. 

[markjl 55]

I would love (again) to be able to create a mindmap with my evernotes.

This was possible before with moh.io, which is now dead.

Thanks

[markjl 55]

On 10/31/2018 at 6:52 PM, jefito said:

While I'm not willing to 'foment' this topic, I am willing to move it to a feature request forum so it can garner upvotes (and maybe be merged with other existing mind-mapping requests)...

Was a request to mindmap with Evernotes ever raised?

[PinkElephant 9,010]

Yes, multiple times.

How to do it at the moment ?

1. Use the sketch feature, draw the mindmap
   Useful to create a quick draft or visualize an idea
2. Use a mindmapping tool, embed the files into EN
   Works for all other cases. Personally I use SimpleMind.

To build true mindmappig into EN would be a major extension for a small group of users. I doubt it will happen, ever.

[Roel Vanhooydonck 54]

On 10/5/2021 at 11:14 AM, PinkElephant said:

Yes, multiple times.

How to do it at the moment ?

1. Use the sketch feature, draw the mindmap
   Useful to create a quick draft or visualize an idea
2. Use a mindmapping tool, embed the files into EN
   Works for all other cases. Personally I use SimpleMind.

To build true mindmappig into EN would be a major extension for a small group of users. I doubt it will happen, ever.

I like how the Chinese equivalent of Evernote build a Mindmap inside the app. So it wouldn’t be that major. Look at the below design. THAT is something I want to see, not another addition of another App. So you don’t have to embed. 

I would say loan the code in 2022 and implement the matter.

 

 

 

[PinkElephant 9,010]

There have been several 3rd party attempts in the past to build a mindmapping capacity for EN. They have all failed and disappeared.

It seems the mindmapping community is not really that large (but devoted…). But EN probably has observed the same as I did - I doubt they will act to add such a feature.

Above I have posted the workarounds that do the job today: Use a mindmapping tool of your choice, and attach the file, or for simple Mindmaps use the Sketch drawing canvas.

[Roel Vanhooydonck 54]

On 10/5/2021 at 11:14 AM, PinkElephant said:

Yes, multiple times.

How to do it at the moment ?

1. Use the sketch feature, draw the mindmap
   Useful to create a quick draft or visualize an idea
2. Use a mindmapping tool, embed the files into EN
   Works for all other cases. Personally I use SimpleMind.

To build true mindmappig into EN would be a major extension for a small group of users. I doubt it will happen, ever.

I like how the Chinese equivalent of Evernote build a Mindmap inside the app. So it wouldn’t be that major. Look at the below design. THAT is something I want to see, not another addition of another App. So you don’t have to embed. 

I would say loan the code in 2022 and implement the matter.

 

11 minutes ago, PinkElephant said:

There have been several 3rd party attempts in the past to build a mindmapping capacity for EN. They have all failed and disappeared.

It seems the mindmapping community is not really that large (but devoted…). But EN probably has observed the same as I did - I doubt they will act to add such a feature.

Above I have posted the workarounds that do the job today: Use a mindmapping tool of your choice, and attach the file, or for simple Mindmaps use the Sketch drawing canvas.

i know it didn’t worked well. I recently came up mindmapping again through work. Therefore it is a nice addition. I’ll just start in another app then. 

[PinkElephant 9,010]

I agree about mindmapping in general, use it myself (SimpleMind on Mac, Windows and iOS) and that it would be a nice addition is for sure.

I just doubt we will see it any time soon. Therefore the workarounds.

About sharing code with the Chinese spinoff: I have never seen EN sharing code - probably since v10 the code base of the 2 apps is anyhow completely separate today. EN had to rewrite 100% of the code to make it run in the framework. I doubt the Chinese version does the same, given the framework is based on Google technology.

Just wild guessing, no inside knowledge.

[r91085 2]

The best Chinese equivalent to Evernote is the solution, really hoping to see it come to fruition.

I also want the evernote can change the concept of a notebook. Let each note can be a container to contain other notes like the notebook currectly but also allow it has its own note cotent. The whole structure should be like a tree and we can just use a mindmap kind of view to explore the whole note content.

https://fishcodelib.com/codelib.htm is a software that allow unlimited level of note created

[PinkElephant 9,010]

Nice ideas - from what I see impossible to do. There is a underlying data structure, and it has its limitations.

The Chinese version has nothing to do with EN any more - since several years each one is moving on its own agenda.

[r91085 2]

10 分鐘前, PinkElephant說:

Nice ideas - from what I see impossible to do. There is a underlying data structure, and it has its limitations.

The Chinese version has nothing to do with EN any more - since several years each one is moving on its own agenda.

Sure, a tree-like data structure would require a significant amount of engineering work, but it's not impossible. Many software programs are designed with this structure from the beginning. It's quite peculiar to me that Evernote can only support a two-tier notebook structure at most. If this limitation were to be lifted, the entire notebook structure could potentially be navigated in a mindmap style, which I believe would be a tremendous leap forward.

[PinkElephant 9,010]

Rewrite the whole app … rewrite the backend … launch an incompatible new version while the old one is still in use by many users …

Sounds difficult, doesn’t it remind us of something ?

And this for what: Mindmapping ?! 

You can divide humankind about it into 2 groups: The overwhelmingly large group doesn’t care, most don‘t even know it exists. And then there is a tiny group of followers, who worship the method.

Most users and potential users are not waiting for anything. Of the rest, most (like me) use their MM tools (there are plenty, and which features would be implemented ?) and save the files into EN.

You may have features - I doubt you have a business case.

[r91085 2]

2 小時前, PinkElephant說:

Rewrite the whole app … rewrite the backend … launch an incompatible new version while the old one is still in use by many users …

Sounds difficult, doesn’t it remind us of something ?

And this for what: Mindmapping ?! 

You can divide humankind about it into 2 groups: The overwhelmingly large group doesn’t care, most don‘t even know it exists. And then there is a tiny group of followers, who worship the method.

Most users and potential users are not waiting for anything. Of the rest, most (like me) use their MM tools (there are plenty, and which features would be implemented ?) and save the files into EN.

You may have features - I doubt you have a business case.

I'm just bringing up the features I want, of course, everyone will have different needs, and I might be in the minority.

But many of the premises you've mentioned are not necessarily factual. For example, the need to rewrite the entire software or that it is incompatible with older versions. These things can only be assessed after looking at the source code, and different engineers may come up with different solutions; it may not be as difficult as you say.

I think attaching other files is not as convenient, at least compared to native support, it's a suboptimal solution. But you may not agree with this idea either, and I can understand that many people may not like the same things as I do. If this is not a feature that everyone thinks is good, then there's no need to implement it.

But before confirming whether this feature can add value to the software, I don't think we need to bring in engineering difficulty to discuss. Commercial companies need to consider commercial costs, but engineering costs are not a constant number. I'm an engineer, and I've seen experts easily solve problems I feel difficult, and I've also easily solved engineering problems that others feel difficult. So there's no need to prematurely discuss technical difficulty from an outsider's perspective, as it varies greatly from person to person and situation to situation.

But I think I understand your other points. If most people don't need this feature, then it naturally may not be implemented. And I'm just suggesting what I personally think is a better way. Not only for mindmaping, having a multi-level tree structure is what I consider to be a more flexible way of organization.

[Meliss0 0]

I'd love the ability to mindmap natively within EN, rather than having to buy or otherwise use another piece of software and linking that to EN, or vice versa. I've been using EN for all my other notes, and was overjoyed when EN added the feature to be able to combine drawn/handwritten notes with typed notes and images within the same note. But even that's not really good for prpoer mindmapping.

[AKARJLUK 42]

if you want to simply "mindmap" with a hand drawn editable map ...

Basically create a "blank " 1 page PDF

Add to an evernote note

Annotate the PDF

Really quick and useful

[PinkElephant 9,010]

You can use the Sketch tool as well.

It has an infinite (well nearly) canvas - if your mindmap grows, it can become difficult to extract or print.

The better solution is a mindmapping software.

[AKARJLUK 42]

4 hours ago, PinkElephant said:

The better solution is a mindmapping software.

I use Mindnode as maps can also be viewed as outlines

[PinkElephant 9,010]

I use SimpleMind Pro - I like the cross platform use.