How to create a Mind Map in Excel

In this post, we will show you how to create a Mind Map in Excel. A Mind Map is a diagram that represents information in a non-linear hierarchy. It typically starts with a topic at the center, and related ideas branch out from there. Each branch represents a sub-topic or concept, and can further branch out into more specific details.

Mind Maps are often used in Excel to visualize and build a hierarchy between datasets. They help organize information in a clear, structured manner, making it easier to process complex information and reduce unnecessary clutter.

How to create a Mind Map in Excel

You can create a mind map in Excel in 2 different ways:

Using the Shapes library
Using SmartArt

Let us see each of these methods in detail.

A] Create a Mind Map using Shapes library

Let’s assume we need to create a mind map for Employee Details. The information could be organized hierarchically as follows:

Employee Details

Demographics
- Name
- Gender
- Age
- Ethnicity
Job Details
- Job Title
- Department
- Business Unit
- Hire Date
- Annual Salary
Key Performance Indicator
- Sales
  - Revenue generated
  - Number of deals closed
- Customer Support
  - Response time
  - Customer satisfaction rating
- HR
  - Employee retention rate
  - Hiring speed

For the above data, ‘Employee Details‘ becomes our central topic, ‘Demographics‘ becomes the main branch, and ‘Name, Gender, Age, and Ethnicity‘ becomes sub-branches. Similarly, the rest of the data can be visualized in the same way. Let us now create the mind map.

Open Excel and start a new blank workbook. Go to the Insert tab and click Shapes. A dropdown will appear. Select a shape (we are using a rectangle here, but you may choose an oval or any shape of your choice). Click anywhere on the sheet and draw the shape. Double-click the shape and name it ‘Employee Details‘.

Next, format the shape. Select the shape and go to the Shape Format tab in the top ribbon. Use shape fill, shape outline, and other available options to style the shape. Once this is done, resize & center it on the worksheet.

Next, go back to the Insert tab and select another shape. It can be the same shape or a different shape. Draw the shape on the sheet, name it ‘Demographics‘, and style it using the Shape Format menu. Now we have our first main branch. Reposition it on the sheet as needed.

Next, connect this shape to the central shape using the Line tool. Go to the Insert tab and select Shapes > Line. Draw a line connecting these shapes.

Next, create 4 sub-branches for ‘Name‘, ‘Gender‘, ‘Age‘, and ‘Ethnicity‘. Style and reposition them as required. Then connect these sub-branches with the main branch ‘Demographics‘.

Now you have your base mind map with you. On a similar pattern, you can expand this mind map to show more branches and their sub-branches. Here’s what the final output looks like:

Tip: You may click on the View tab and uncheck Gridlines for a cleaner workspace/view.

2] Create a Mind Map using SmartArt in Excel

Unlike shapes, SmartArt allows you to quickly create structured mind maps with minimal effort. However, they offer limited flexibility and customization.

Open Excel and create a new blank workbook. Go to the Insert tab. Click SmartArt in the Illustrations group.

In the Choose a SmartArt Graphic window, select Hierarchy from the left panel.
Choose ‘Organizational Chart’ or ‘Horizontal Hierarchy’ for a better mind map layout.
Click OK to insert the SmartArt diagram into the worksheet.

Next, insert data into the SmartArt. Click on the SmartArt diagram to select it. On the left side of the SmartArt, click the small left-facing arrow to open the Text Pane. Click inside the Text Pane and start typing the hierarchy.

Type ‘Employee Details (this will be the central topic). Press Enter to add a new line. Press Tab before typing to create a sub-level (branch). As you type, you will see that SmartArt will automatically adjust and format the hierarchy.

Next, you can customize the mind map to give it the desired look. Resize the SmartArt by selecting it and dragging its edges outward or inward to adjust the overall dimensions. Next, go to the SmartArt Design tab and choose a different layout to modify the structure. Select a color scheme to improve visual clarity and distinguish between different branches. Click on any shape within the SmartArt to access the Shape Format tab, then customize the colors, fonts, and borders to make the mind map visually appealing and easy to read.

This is what the final output looks like:

This winds up how to create a Mind Map in Microsoft Excel. I hope you find this useful!

Read: How to create a Mind Map in PowerPoint.

How to convert Excel to MindMap?

You may use free online tools to convert your Excel data into a mind map. These tools offer intuitive features, like drag-and-drop functionality and automatic layout generation, allowing you to create visually appealing mind maps with minimal effort. Some of the tools are even backed by AI, which helps automate the process by analyzing and organizing the data for you.

Can I create a mind map in Excel?

Yes, you can create a mind map in Excel using Shapes, Text Boxes, and Connectors. Start by inserting a central shape for the main topic, then add branches around it for subtopics. Connect the branches using lines or arrows to show relationships. You can also use SmartArt for a more structured approach, selecting a hierarchy layout to organize your ideas.