Change the layout of shapes and connectors
This feature is available in NVivo Pro and Plus editions. Learn more
Depending on the type of map, there are several ways of changing the layout of shapes and connectors. You can click and drag shapes to position them on the canvas, apply an automatic layout to arrange the map, or you can align and distribute selected shapes to best present your visualization.
What do you want to do?
- Move shapes and connectors
- Align shapes
- Arrange shapes an equal distance apart
- Apply a project map layout
- Understand mind map layouts
Move shapes and connectors
Shapes and their connectors move together. If you drag a shape to a new location its connector will follow. You cannot move a connector on its own.
- Make sure you are in edit mode.
- Click the required shape. To select multiple shapes, press and hold CTRL then click shapes. Another way to select multiple shapes is to click and drag an area on the canvas—this is especially useful for selecting connectors. When you release the mouse any items touched by the area will be selected.
- Drag the selected shape to a new location. Any connectors to the shape will extend to the new location.
Align shapes
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Make sure you are in edit mode.
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Select the shapes you want to align. Do this quickly by clicking and dragging around the shapes you want to select.
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On the Project Map tab, in the Arrange group, click Align and then select an option.
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To align the left edges of the shapes, click Align Left.
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To align the right edges of the shapes, click Align Right.
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To align the shapes vertically through their centers, click Align Center.
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To align the top edges of the shapes, click Align Top.
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To align the bottom edges of the shapes, click Align Bottom.
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To align the shapes horizontally through their middles, click Align Middle.
Arrange shapes an equal distance apart
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Make sure you are in edit mode.
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Select at last three shapes to arrange. Do this quickly by clicking and dragging around the shapes you want to select.
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On the Project Map tab, in the Arrange group, click Align and then select an option.
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To center the shapes horizontally, click Distribute Horizontally.
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To center the shapes vertically, click Distribute Vertically.
Apply a project map layout
When you apply a project map layout, it arranges the existing items on your canvas—it does not arrange any new items you add to the map. When you add new items, you can click and drag them into place or apply the layout again.
| Layout | Description | Example |
| Circular | Arrange items in a circular layout. |
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| Directed | Arrange items in force-directed layout—this is the calculated 'best fit' for the physical space (all edges are of more or less equal length and there are as few crossing edges as possible). |
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| Hierarchical | Arrange items in a hierarchy. |
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| Layered directed | Arrange items in a lateral hierarchy, which can have more than one parent. This layout is best when you have connectors between items on different levels of a hierarchy. |
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Understand mind map layouts
When you select a mind map layout, it applies for the life of the mind map—any new ideas you add to the map are automatically arranged according to the applied layout.
| Layout | Description | Example |
| Mind map | The traditional mind map layout. The main idea is in the middle with child ideas to the left and right. |
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| Top down | A hierarchical layout. The main idea is at the top with child ideas underneath. |
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| Left right | A lateral hierarchy. The main idea is on the left with child ideas to the right. |
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