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Turn your PDF or notes into an editable mind map

Skip the blank page. Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, or pasted notes and get a mind map you can edit and explore branch by branch.

Create mind maps nowFree · No credit card required

Drop files here or browsePDF, DOCX, PPTX, text or photos of your notes · several files with Plus

Free account · 3 sets a month · Creates mind maps in seconds

Drawing a mind map in Word versus generating one from your material

Building a branching diagram by hand takes longer than the studying it is meant to support. If you want to make a mind map in Word, you can use SmartArt or basic shapes and connectors, which works well for a short list of ideas but gets slow once a topic has dozens of branches. DeckOwl takes a different route: it reads your source file and drafts the map for you.

Start from your own lecture notes or readings instead of retyping them.
Edit every branch name and sub-point after the map is generated.
Use the same source to create flashcards or a quiz for later review.
Begin on the free plan without a credit card and generate up to 3 times a month.

Example cell respiration mind map branches

GlycolysisOccurs in the cytoplasm · Splits glucose into two pyruvate · Yields a net gain of 2 ATP · Does not require oxygen

Krebs cycleTakes place in the mitochondrial matrix · Oxidizes acetyl-CoA · Produces NADH and FADH2 · Releases CO2

Electron transport chainLocated in the inner mitochondrial membrane · Passes electrons along protein complexes · Pumps protons to build a gradient · Uses oxygen as the final electron acceptor

FermentationOccurs without oxygen · Regenerates NAD+ · Produces lactate or ethanol · Yields no ATP beyond glycolysis

ATP synthaseFound in the inner mitochondrial membrane · Uses the proton gradient · Phosphorylates ADP to ATP · Also called complex V

Generate the full set

Any source file

Start from a PDF, Word document, PowerPoint deck, plain text notes, or a photo of a page read with text recognition.

Editable branches

Rename, move, or reorder branches and sub-points so the map matches how you think about the material.

Explore by branch

Open one branch at a time to focus on a single idea before you zoom out to see how the topics connect.

How it works

Add your material

Upload your file or paste your notes into DeckOwl.

Generate the map

The AI pulls out the main ideas and arranges them into branches with sub-points.

Edit and study

Adjust the layout, then turn the same material into flashcards or a quiz when you are ready to practice.

DeckOwl reads your PDF, DOCX, PPTX, or notes and organizes the main ideas into branches and sub-points you can rearrange. A photo of a textbook page or lecture slide works too, because the text is read with recognition. You still control the final structure, so the map reflects what your course actually emphasizes.

Explore related topics

Concept Maps in Word vs. AI Mind Maps

Build a concept map in Word by hand, or turn your notes into an editable AI mind map.

Mind maps: PowerPoint or AI generator

Make a mind map in PowerPoint or generate one from your notes with AI.

Mind map in Word: step-by-step guide

Steps to make a mind map in Word, plus a faster AI option that builds one from your own notes or PDFs.

Concept map in Word, made from your notes

Skip the blank page. Turn notes or a PDF into an editable concept map with AI.

Mind map in Word: steps and an AI shortcut

Build a mind map in Word by hand, or generate an editable one from your notes with AI.

Concept Map in Microsoft Word Guide

Manual Word steps for a concept map, plus a faster way to build one from your notes.

Make a Mind Map from Your Notes

Upload notes or PDFs for an editable, explorable mind map. No credit card to start.

AI Mind Map from PDF

Upload a PDF or notes and get an editable, explorable mind map to study from.

Frequently asked questions

How do I study from a mind map?

Cover the sub-points of one branch and try to recall them out loud before checking. Then move to the next branch and connect it back to the central idea.

How many branches should a mind map have?

Most useful maps have 4 to 7 main branches, each with 2 to 4 sub-points. If a branch needs more, split it into a separate map so each one stays readable.

Is there a free plan?

Yes. The free plan includes 3 generations per month and lets you study in the browser, but exports are not included.

Do I need to pay to export my study materials?

Exporting is a paid feature. The Plus plan at $99.90 per year or $9.99 per month includes PDF and DOCX export, along with Anki and CSV export and unlimited generations.

Generate free mind maps

Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.