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CogniGuide

Create a Mind Map in PowerPoint

See how to lay out a PowerPoint mind map with a central topic, branches and sub-branches. Then generate one automatically from your own PPTX, PDF or notes.

No credit card required

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CogniGuide at a glance

What you get
Interactive mind maps of the main ideas and how they connect. Free: overview maps (detailed maps on your first 3 creations). Plus: detailed maps with supporting concepts.
Exports
Your first PDF or PNG export is free; Plus exports anytime.
Price
Free plan: 5 creations a week, up to 3 a day. Plus: $9.99/month or $99.90/year (USD; local prices at checkout).
Sign-up
A free account is required before you create anything (Google or email). No credit card.
What you can upload
PDF, Word (.docx), PowerPoint (.pptx), plain text or Markdown, and images (PNG, JPG, WebP, GIF), or type a topic. One file per creation on the free plan; several at once on Plus.

How it compares: vs Knowt · vs Quizlet · vs NotebookLM · vs Mapify

Build Your Mind Map Faster

Start from your existing material instead of placing every shape by hand.

Map From Your Slides

Upload a PPTX or PDF and the AI turns its headings and bullets into branches.

Clear Branch Structure

Main topics sit around a central node, with sub-points nested beneath each one.

Edit, Export and Quiz

Refine nodes, export to PNG or PDF, or turn the same map into a self-test quiz.

How the PowerPoint Mind Map Gets Made

Three steps from a slide deck or topic to a finished, editable map.

  1. 1

    Add Your Slides or Topic

    Upload a PPTX, PDF, Word file or text, or type the topic you want to map.

  2. 2

    AI Builds the Branches

    The main ideas become branches, and supporting details become nested nodes.

  3. 3

    Edit, Expand and Export

    Tidy the wording, expand weak branches with AI, then export the map for your deck.

Mind Map Layout Tips for PowerPoint

A mind map in PowerPoint places a central topic in the middle of the slide and radiates main branches outward. Each branch is a key idea, and smaller shapes hold the supporting facts. Use the SmartArt Radial or Hierarchy layouts, or draw lines between shapes with consistent colors per branch. Keep labels short so the structure stays readable at presentation size.

  • Central topic: the subject name, placed in the middle of the slide
  • Main branches: four to six core ideas radiating outward
  • Sub-branches: supporting facts or examples nested under each branch
  • Colour coding: one colour per branch to show grouping at a glance
  • Short labels: two to four words per node for slide readability

Once the layout is clear, you can reuse it for revision or planning. CogniGuide can build a mind map like this from your own slides or notes, so you spend less time placing shapes and more time learning the material.

Explore related topics

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Common Questions About PowerPoint Mind Maps

Answers on layout, tools and making maps from your own files.

Does PowerPoint have a built-in mind map tool?

PowerPoint has no dedicated mind map tool. Most people use SmartArt radial or hierarchy layouts, or draw shapes and connector lines manually. These work, but they take time to arrange and resize.

What is the best layout for a mind map slide?

A radial layout works best. Place the central topic in the middle, arrange main branches evenly around it, and place sub-branches outward from each one.

Can CogniGuide turn my PowerPoint file into a mind map?

Yes. Upload a PPTX file and the AI turns the slide content into an interactive mind map with expandable branches you can edit.

Is it free, and can I turn the map into a quiz?

There is a free plan with 5 creations a week and no payment needed. Maps can also be turned into a quiz to test yourself.