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CogniGuide

Obsidian Mind Mapping: Canvas and Linked Notes

See an example map of how Obsidian organizes ideas into branches and links. Then build your own map from notes, a PDF or slides.

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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 Maps From Your Own Material

Skip manual canvas setup. Turn the documents you already have into a structured, editable map.

Start from your files

Upload a PDF, Word, PowerPoint, text or Markdown file, and the AI builds the branches for you.

Clear branch structure

Main ideas, subtopics and details are arranged in levels, similar to how linked notes group together.

Study from the same map

Expand nodes, export a PNG or PDF, or turn the map into a quiz to test what you remember.

How to Mind Map From Your Notes

Three steps to go from scattered notes to a clear visual map you can revise.

  1. 1

    Add your material

    Upload a document or image, or type the topic you are studying.

  2. 2

    AI builds the map

    The AI groups your content into main branches with expandable subtopics.

  3. 3

    Study, expand and quiz

    Edit nodes, expand branches with AI, then export or test yourself with a quiz.

Mind Mapping With Obsidian Canvas

Obsidian is a note-taking app built on linked Markdown files. Its Canvas view lets you place notes and shapes on an infinite board, so a mind map can sit beside the notes it summarizes. Many users add community plugins for radial layouts, but the core idea is the same: a central topic with branches that link to detailed notes.

  • Central topic: the main subject placed in the middle of the canvas
  • Main branches: the major themes that connect to the central node
  • Subtopics: supporting concepts grouped under each branch
  • Linked notes: detailed Markdown files attached to individual nodes
  • Review path: a route through branches for revision

Use the map as a table of contents for your vault, then revise by following each branch. To build a personalized map from your own notes, try CogniGuide.

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Mind Mapping in Obsidian: Common Questions

Answers about Obsidian mind maps and how to build one from your files.

Does Obsidian have a built-in mind map view?

Obsidian has a Canvas view where you can place notes, cards and shapes to build a visual map. Radial mind map layouts are available through community plugins.

Can I link Obsidian notes from a mind map?

Yes. Canvas cards can link to notes in your vault, so each branch can open the detailed Markdown file behind it.

Which files can CogniGuide turn into a mind map?

You can upload PDF, Word, PowerPoint, text, Markdown or image files, or simply type a topic to create a map.

Can I turn a CogniGuide map into a quiz?

Yes. Any map can be turned into a quiz to test yourself, and the same notes can also become flashcards.