Whiteboards are a new type of board in MindMeister, available next to your mind maps. A whiteboard gives you an infinite canvas for freeform thinking, sketches and diagrams.

This article explains when to use a whiteboard, how to create one, which tools are available, and how to bring your existing mind maps into a whiteboard.

When should you use a whiteboard instead of a mind map?

Mind maps are ideal for structured, radial thinking: one central idea that branches out into topics and subtopics.

Use a whiteboard when your ideas don't fit a radial structure, for example to:

• Sketch ideas and layouts freely
• Map out processes and rough diagrams
• Collect ideas on sticky notes, for example in a brainstorming session
• Combine shapes, text, images and hand-drawn notes on one canvas

Create a whiteboard

1. Click Whiteboards in the left sidebar.
2. Click Create whiteboard on the Whiteboards page 

3. The whiteboard opens and you can start adding content right away.

   

Which tools can you use on a whiteboard?

All tools are available in the whiteboard toolbar.

• Shapes: Add shapes to build diagrams and structure your content.
• Sticky notes: Capture ideas quickly, for example during brainstorming.
• Text: Add text anywhere on the canvas.
• Connections: Link shapes and other elements. You can:
  • Choose a solid or dotted line
  • Choose a curved or elbowed line
  • Add arrowheads
  • Add and edit labels
  • Change the color
• Draw and Highlight: Sketch or mark content by hand.
• Eraser: Remove hand-drawn strokes.
• Lock: Lock elements in place so they can't be moved by accident.
• Image: Upload static images and GIFs.
• Stamps: Add stamps to react to or mark content.

Which keyboard shortcuts can you use?

• Sticky note: N
• Draw: D
• Upload image: Cmd + U (Mac) / Ctrl + U (Windows)
• Lock or unlock: Shift + L
• Present: Cmd + Shift + P (Mac) / Alt + Shift + P (Windows)

Import a Mermaid diagram

You can turn Mermaid code into an editable whiteboard. Every element of the diagram is imported as an editable shape, so you can continue working on it right away.

The following Mermaid diagram types are supported:

• Flowchart
• Sequence diagram
• State diagram
• Mind map

To import a Mermaid diagram:

1. Click Whiteboards in the left sidebar.
2. Click Import.
3. Either paste your Mermaid code, or drop a file in one of these formats: .mmd, .mermaid, .md or .txt.

4. The diagram opens as a new whiteboard with editable shapes.
    

   

Bring a mind map into a whiteboard

With Mermaid import, you can turn any mind map into a whiteboard and keep building on it with shapes, sticky notes and drawings.

1. Open your mind map and export it as Markdown.
2. Turn on Show as Mermaid diagram before exporting.
3. Go to Whiteboards in the left sidebar and click Import.
4. Drop the exported file.
5. Your mind map now appears on a whiteboard, ready to extend.

Present a whiteboard

You can present your whiteboard directly in MindMeister. Use the shortcut Cmd + Shift + P (Mac) / Alt + Shift + P (Windows) to start presenting.

Export and print a whiteboard

You can export and print your whiteboards. Learn more about the available options in the export article.

Share a whiteboard

You can share whiteboards with others to collaborate on them. Learn more in the sharing article.

Help us improve whiteboards

Whiteboards are in beta, and your feedback directly shapes what we build next. Every whiteboard has a Leave feedback button. Use it to tell us what works well, what's missing, or what could be better.