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Relationship

Relationship

Relationship is a customized connecting line between any two topics in a mind map used to show a special relationship. If there is a correlation between two topics, you can use Relationship to correlate the two and add a text description to define the relationship. The connection can be customized with styles such as lines, colors, arrows, text, etc.

Add/Delete Relationship

Add Relationship

Mind map diagram featuring a central topic with three connected main topics.

How to:

Method 1

Select a topic or boundary, click Relationship in the toolbar, or choose Relationship from the Insert menu, then click on another topic to add successfully.

Mind map featuring a central topic connected to three main topics, with navigation icons at the top.Screenshot of Xmind interface showing a menu with

Method 2

Click Relationship in the toolbar, or choose Relationship from the Insert menu, then click the first and second topics in sequence to add successfully.

Method 3

Select both topics, then click Relationship in the toolbar, or choose Relationship from the Insert menu to add successfully.

Method 4

Select a topic and add a relationship using combination shortcuts.

Windows: Ctrl+Shift+R

Mac: ⇧+⌘+R

Tips:

  • When a topic is selected and the Relationship icon is clicked, clicking on the mind map’s blank area will create a new floating topic and establish a relationship between these two topics.

  • Clicking the Relationship icon and then clicking on the mind map’s blank area will create a new floating topic with a relationship line next to it. Clicking again on a blank area of the map will create a second floating topic and establish a relationship between the newly created topics.

Delete Relationship

Mind map displaying a central topic with three main topics connected, and a contextual menu for editing options.

To delete it, select the relationship and press Delete or Right Click > Delete.

Add Description on Relationship

How to:

  • After selecting the added Relationship, press the Space bar to start the text typing, and press the enter key or mouse click on the blank space of the sheet to finish the editing.

  • Double-click on the added Relationship and start text typing, press the Enter key or mouse click on the blank space of the canvas to complete the editing.

  • Right Click > Edit to start the text typing, press enter or mouse click on the blank space of the canvas to finish the editing.

Adjust Relationship

When a relationship is selected, the two lines that appear, the circular ones are called “endpoints”, and the square ones are called “control points”.

Endpoints” control the connection position of the relationship to the topic, and “control points” control the shape of the relationship line.

How to:

After selecting a Relationship, two control handles will appear. Dragging these handles allows for the following operations:

  • Adjusting the relationship line by dragging the control handles, which can be adjusted at both ends.

  • To change the subject of a relationship association, drag and drop both ends of the line, and both ends can be changed.

Tips:

  • When the “endpoints” have not been moved, dragging the “control point” will cause the “endpoint” to move along the edge of the topic to find the best connection position. Once an “endpoint” has been manually positioned by the user, it will no longer automatically move.

  • Depending on the shape of the relationship, the number and position of “endpoints” and “control points” can vary.

Modify Relationship Styles

Click on Relationship and the following styles can be modified in the Format Panel on the right:

Mind map illustration featuring a central topic and three main topics connected by lines.
  • Shape, thickness, style and color of the Relationship line.

Mind map featuring a central topic with three main topics and a labeled relationship connection.
  • Arrow style of the Relationship line. (both ends can be changed)

A mind map showing a central topic connected to three main topics, along with a style panel on the right.
  • Font, color, size and other styles of the Relationship description text.

Mind map with a central topic labeled
  • If you want to restore the styles that came with the template, you can do so by clicking Reset Style.

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Subscribe to Xmind’s Newsletter for Exclusive Tutorials, Tips & Product Updates

© 2025 SUPERMIND PTE. LIMITED

English

Our Newsletter

Subscribe to Xmind’s Newsletter for Exclusive Tutorials, Tips & Product Updates

© 2025 SUPERMIND PTE. LIMITED

English