Source: Love Mac | Software download link: State of Mind for Mac

State of Mind is a modern mind mapping and structured note-taking app designed specifically for macOS. With its minimalist and elegant interface, smooth interactions, and powerful hierarchical structure management, it helps users efficiently organize thoughts, plan projects, record notes, and sort out logic. This guide will take an in-depth look at its core features and complete workflow.

I. Detailed Overview of the Core Interface and Workspace

State of Mind uses a clear three-column layout that organically combines navigation, editing, and property settings.

Left Navigation Bar (Sidebar):
- “All Maps” List: Displays all created project files in chronological order.
- “Favorites”: Quickly access frequently used maps marked as favorites here.
- “Recent” List: Shows projects opened recently.
- Search Box: Quickly search and locate projects by title.
Central Editing Area (Canvas):
- This is the core workspace of the software, presenting content in a tree structure (outline view) or mind map form (map view).
- By default, it launches in Outline View, where each item is called a “node,” and nodes can be nested to unlimited levels.
- Use the “Map” button in the top toolbar to switch to Map View, which displays thought branches as a radial diagram.
- Right-click on any node or use the context menu to access node operation features.
Right-Side Inspector Panel:
- When a node is selected, this panel displays the node’s detailed properties, including:
  - Style: Modify the font, size, color, background color, and icon of the node text.
  - Notes: Add detailed supplementary text to the current node.
  - Links & Attachments: Add web links or associate local files.
  - Task: Convert the node into a to-do item, set a due date and priority.
- When no node is selected or the canvas root node is selected, the panel displays Document Settings, where you can modify global styles such as the theme and font for the entire map.

II. Complete Workflow: From Creation to Export

Step 1: Create a New Project

Method 1: After launching the software, click the + New Map button at the bottom of the left sidebar.
Method 2: Use the shortcut Command + N.
The root node in the central editing area (usually displayed as “Untitled Map”) will then enter editing mode, and you can directly enter a title.

Step 2: Build the Content Structure

In the outline view, all operations revolve around “nodes”:

Add a sibling node: Select a node and press the Return key.
Add a child node: Select a node and press the Tab key or Command + ].
Promote a node (outdent to the left): Select the node and press Shift + Tab or Command + [.
Edit node text: Double-click the node, or select it and press the Spacebar to enter edit mode.
Move a node: After selecting a node, press and drag the drag handle on its left side (the six-dot icon), or use Command + ↑/↓ to move it up or down.
Collapse/expand a node: Click the triangle icon in front of the node, or select the node and press Command + . (period).

Step 3: Use the Inspector for Styling and Enrichment

Select any node to bring up the inspector panel on the right:

Add an icon: In the “Style” section, click the icon library to add a visual marker to the node.
Set a task: In the “Task” section, check “This is a task” to set a date and priority. Once completed, you can check the marker in front of the node.
Add a note: Enter a longer description in the “Note” field; the note will be displayed as a preview below the node.

Step 4: Switch Views and Present

Click the “Map” button in the top toolbar to switch from the outline view to the graphical mind map view. In this view:

Use trackpad pinch or Command + scroll wheel to zoom the canvas.
Use two-finger drag on the trackpad or Space + drag to pan the canvas.
Click the “Present” button in the toolbar (or press Command + Option + P) to enter full-screen presentation mode. Press the arrow keys to progressively expand nodes as you present.

Step 5: Save and Export Your Project

State of Mind uses an automatic save mechanism, so all changes are saved to the native format file in real time.

Export a project:

Click the menu bar “File” -> “Export”.
Choose an export format. Common options include:
- PDF: For printing or sharing static documents.
- Image (PNG): Export high-resolution images.
- Markdown: Export structured content as a .md file for broad compatibility.
- OPML: An outline format that lets you exchange data with other mind mapping software.
In the dialog that appears, set the export range (current view or all content), style, and other options, then click “Export” and choose a save location.

III. Advanced Tips for Common Features

Quick Search and Filter: Use the shortcut Command + F to bring up the search bar. Enter keywords to highlight and filter relevant nodes in real time. Press Command + G to jump to the next match.
Batch Operations: Hold the Command key and click to select multiple non-contiguous nodes; hold the Shift key and click to select a continuous range of nodes. Once selected, you can batch-modify styles or convert them to tasks in the inspector.
Focus Mode: Double-click the focus icon to the left of any node (or use the shortcut Command + Shift + F) to hide all sibling content outside that node, helping you concentrate on the current branch.
Quickly Create Links: In the “Links” section of the inspector, you can not only add URLs but also type @ followed by the title of another node in the project to create an internal node hyperlink, enabling cross-branch connections.
Keyboard Navigation Flow: Get comfortable using the ↑/↓ keys to move between nodes, the → key to expand child nodes and enter them, and the ← key to collapse or jump back to the parent node—achieving efficient editing without your hands leaving the keyboard.

IV. Common Issues and Solutions

Issue 1: What should I do if I accidentally delete an important node?
Solution: Immediately use Command + Z to undo the operation. If you have already performed multiple other operations, go to the menu bar and choose “File” -> “Revert To” -> “Browse All Versions”, using macOS’s Time Machine feature to restore the document to an earlier state.
Issue 2: The branch layout in the mind map view is messy—how can I tidy it up?
Solution: In the mind map view, select the root node of the messy branch, right-click, and choose “Tidy Layout”. The software will automatically optimize the arrangement of all nodes under that branch. You can also adjust the global layout style in the document settings (such as tree, radiating right, etc.).
Issue 3: How can I sync my mind map across different devices?
Solution: State of Mind itself does not provide a cloud sync service. It is recommended to save the project file to a third-party cloud drive folder such as iCloud Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive to achieve file synchronization across Mac devices.
Issue 4: Too much note content affects the simplicity of the outline view.
Solution: Click the “Show” button in the toolbar at the top of the outline view, and uncheck “Show Notes” in the drop-down menu to hide the note previews of all nodes and keep the interface clean. When you need to view them, just expand them individually.

V. Keyboard Shortcuts Summary

Function Category	Operation Description	Mac Shortcut
File Operations	New Mind Map	`Command + N`
Open Mind Map	`Command + O`
Close Window	`Command + W`
Export	`Command + E`
Editing Operations	Undo	`Command + Z`
Redo	`Command + Shift + Z`
Add Sibling Node	`Return`
Add Child Node	`Tab` or `Command + ]`
Promote Node Level	`Shift + Tab` or `Command + [`
Edit Selected Node	`Spacebar`
Delete Node	`Delete` or `Command + Delete`
Copy Node	`Command + C`
Navigation and View	Switch Between Outline/Mind Map View	`Command + 1` / `Command + 2`
Enter Presentation Mode	`Command + Option + P`
Zoom In	`Command + +`
Zoom Out	`Command + -`
Search Nodes	`Command + F`
Node Management	Move Node Up	`Command + ↑`
Move Node Down	`Command + ↓`
Collapse/Expand Selected Node	`Command + .` (period)
Focus Mode	Focus on Selected Node	`Command + Shift + F`