Structure: Summaries, Relation Lines, and Multiple Roots
Beyond the tree, KMind Zen offers two more relationships: a summary brackets a run of sibling nodes, and a relation line connects any two nodes. This page starts with a simple summary, then nests it, styles a relation line, and finishes with several roots on one canvas.
Key takeaways
- ⌘-click a run of siblings, then "Summary" in the quick-action row creates it in one step.
- A summary can have children of its own, and those can be summarised again.
- Click a relation line for the edit bubble: label, arrow, curve, colour, and width.
Add a summary
Click one node, ⌘-click its siblings, then right-click and choose the summary quick action.
A bracket wraps the nodes and the summary opens for editing; type the wrap-up and press Enter.
- Shortcut: ⌘ + click adds to the selection
Summary children and nested summaries
A summary expands like any node: select it and press Tab for a child, Enter for another sibling.
Summarise the summary's children and you get a second-level summary — handy for layered conclusions.
- Shortcuts: Tab adds a child to a summary, Enter adds a sibling
Add a relation line
Right-click the source node, click the relation quick action, then click the target node; an arrowed line connects the two.
Relation lines can cross branches to show dependencies, references, or cause and effect.
Edit relation line style
Click a relation line and a quick-edit bubble appears above it: change the label, arrow direction, curve or straight, colour, and width.
The clip renames the label and makes the line bold; every change can be undone.
Add a second root
Right-click empty canvas and choose "New root node"; the root appears where you clicked and opens for editing.
A canvas can hold several independent roots, useful for viewing parallel topics side by side.
Related resources
Add, edit, drag, and collapse nodes.
Themes, layouts, rainbow edges, and view modes.
FAQ
Can a summary wrap nodes from different parents?
No. A summary covers a consecutive run of siblings under one parent; use a relation line for cross-branch relationships.
Can a relation line be dashed?
Yes. Click the line to open the edit bubble and pick dashed or dotted under line style.