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See a mind map sample, then make your own from your notes

Look at a worked example first, then upload a PDF or notes and get an editable, explorable mind map of your own material.

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From a sample map to one built on your course

Seeing a finished layout shows what a good map looks like, but the most useful version is one built from your own readings. DeckOwl reads your PDF, DOCX, PPTX, or notes and returns a mind map sample of your course material that you can edit and explore.

  • Central topic in the middle with main branches around it
  • Sub-points kept short enough to recall without looking
  • Editable nodes so you can reshape the map after review
  • Explorable view to collapse branches while quizzing yourself
Sample mind map: animal cell organelles
Cell membranePhospholipid bilayer · Selectively permeable · Passive and active transport · Receptor proteins
NucleusHolds DNA · Nuclear envelope with pores · Nucleolus makes ribosome subunits
MitochondriaSite of cellular respiration · Produces most of the cell's ATP · Contains its own circular DNA
RibosomesSynthesize proteins · Found free or bound to rough ER · Made of rRNA and protein
Endoplasmic reticulumRough ER has ribosomes · Smooth ER makes lipids · Smooth ER detoxifies drugs in liver cells
Generate the full set

Editable branches

Rename, move, or add nodes so the map matches your course, not a generic template.

Explorable structure

Expand and collapse branches to move from the big idea down to the details.

Starts from your material

Upload PDFs, DOCX, PPTX, plain text notes, or photos of pages and get a map built from them.

How it works

Upload your notes

Add a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, text file, or photo of a page.

Review the branches

Check the main topics and sub-points the AI pulled out of your material.

Edit and explore

Adjust anything you want, then click through the map branch by branch.

Start with the central topic, then keep the branches that match what your instructor covered. Delete the rest and add any sub-points your notes are missing.

Branches work best when each one answers a single question, such as what a structure does or how it differs from a similar one.

Explore related topics

Frequently asked questions

How do I make a mind map of animal cell organelles?

Start with the cell as the central idea, then give each organelle its own branch. Under each branch, list its function, its structure, and one way it connects to another organelle.

How many branches should a study mind map have?

Five to eight main branches usually work well for one lecture or chapter. Fewer than four often hides detail, and more than ten makes the map hard to scan.

Can I export my mind map?

Export is a paid feature, with PDF and DOCX exports included in the Plus plan at $39/year or $7.99/month. The free plan includes 3 generations per month and studying in the browser.

Is there a printable mind map sample I can download?

This page shows a sample you can read in the browser, and DeckOwl does not offer ready-made downloads. Upload your own notes to generate a mind map you can edit for your course.

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Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.