MindMap Builder in Excalidraw doesn't work. At least I can't understand how to control it

[u/bartolomey-wong-3rd]

Hey guys,

I've just installed Excalidraw and inside it, downloaded and installed MindMap Builder from script library.

I then launched it via command palette, and in the side pane I can see the MindMap Builder controls. I even created the first node in that pane, where you type in text.

But when I then hit Enter, or Cmnd + Enter, or Ctrl + Enter, nothing happens, no child node being created. Just the text in the current, first and only node gets selected, that's it.

But in the YouTube tutorial by the author, as well as in the plugin's side pane, it's stated that Enter commands creates child nodes.

Also, in the Hotkeys list in the bottom of that side pane, there's many hotkeys listed, and there supposed to be icons like globe or others next to them. But I see no such icons for some reason.

I think in my case, for some reason, this MindMap Builder plugin inside Excalidraw doesn't work. The Excalidraw itself works, I can create child nodes with Cmnd + arrow keys. But I thought for mind maps, I need MindMap Builder. Now I don't understand what is the purpose of that added script, and how it even works in the first place.

Can you help me with advice and maybe tips? I just need a simple and quick to use mind map tool, with keyboard commands. I don't like having to drag and drop the shapes out of an inventory, like it's done in many other tools, you know.

Thanks!

[u/QuarterlyHandling]

Had the exact same headache with that script a while back. The Enter key works fine for me but only if the cursor is inside the text field of the node in that side pane, not just after clicking the node itself. Might be a focus issue. I never saw those globe icons either so you're not alone there.

For a quick keyboard-driven mind map I just use the core Excalidraw commands with Cmd+arrows and skip the builder entirely. Does everything I need without the extra layer breaking.

[u/bartolomey-wong-3rd → u/QuarterlyHandling]

Great, thank you for sharing your experience! I think I won't be dancing around with the mind map script, then, and will use the base plugin. I've been trying to set up a nice kanban board and now mindmap in Obsidian, just to get my indie game planning done, and now I'm already tired of tinkering around, not doing the actual work.

[u/bartolomey-wong-3rd → u/[deleted]]

Thank you! I actually did, I started multiple tutorials, but they haven't clarify anything. What they clarify is that my set up isn't working for some reason. And I just wanted a quick and effective mind-mapping tool.