# Change map layout and styling

Choose how ideas are arranged, how map-wide idea cards and connections are drawn, and which ideas need a color accent.

Unlike a personal [workspace theme](./themes.md), saved layout and styling changes belong to the map. People who open a project-wide map see its saved arrangement and styles; only the map's creator has the editing controls in this release.

## Choose a layout

1. Open the map.
2. Select **Graph layout** in the header.
3. Choose a layout:
   - **Horizontal** places the central idea on the left and grows branches to the right.
   - **Bi-directional** keeps the central idea in the middle and distributes its main branches to the left and right.
   - **Top-down tree** places the central idea above its branches.

Mind Map Studio rearranges the ideas and fits the result into view. When you can edit the map, the new layout is saved with it.

In a read-only map, you can rearrange the current view, but that choice is not saved to the map.

## Choose a side in a bi-directional map

In a bi-directional layout, Mind Map Studio balances new main branches between the two sides. To move a main branch to the other side:

1. Select the main branch directly connected to the central idea.
2. Select **Flip side (Left / Right)**.

The whole branch moves with its parent. This action is available only for main branches in the bi-directional layout.

## Automatically arrange the current layout

Use auto-layout when manually moved ideas need to be aligned again.

1. Select an idea so the idea toolbar appears.
2. Select **More actions**.
3. Select **Auto-layout**.

Mind Map Studio recalculates every branch using the current layout and fits the result into view. This replaces manual positions. Use **Undo** immediately if you want to restore the previous arrangement.

## Change node corners across the map

1. Select any idea.
2. Select **Customize nodes** in the idea toolbar.
3. Choose **Square**, **Subtle**, **Soft**, or **Rounded**.
4. Close the node-style panel.

The selected corner style applies to every idea in the map and is saved with the map.

## Change connections across the map

1. Select any idea.
2. Select **Customize connections** in the idea toolbar.
3. Choose **Straight**, **Angular**, **Rounded**, or **Curved**.
4. If you choose **Rounded**, select **Subtle**, **Medium**, or **Soft** corner rounding.
5. Close the connection-style panel.

The connection style applies to the map's branch connections and relationships. Changing their shape does not create or change Jira issue links.

## Add an accent to one idea

1. Select the idea.
2. Select **More actions** in the idea toolbar.
3. Under **Idea accent**, choose **Neutral**, **Blue**, **Green**, **Amber**, or **Violet**.

The accent is saved on that idea only. It does not change the idea's progress, Jira issue status, or the workspace theme.

## Understand the temporary custom palette

**More actions** also contains a **Custom palette** for node, connection, and text colors. These colors are a temporary preview for the current app session. They are not stored with the map or with a custom theme.

Use [Build your own theme](./themes.md#create-a-custom-theme) when you want to keep a custom color palette. Select **Reset** beside **Custom palette** to return to the active theme's colors.

## Check the result

After changing a saved map style:

1. Wait until the map shows **Saved**.
2. Open another map, then return to the edited map.
3. Confirm that its layout, node corners, connection style, and idea accents remain.

## Related guides

- [Choose or create a theme](./themes.md)
- [Build and edit a mind map](./building-and-editing.md)
- [Add relationships and links](./relationships-and-links.md)
- [Save, recover, and export your work](./saving-and-exporting.md)