Escape includes an integrated file browser that assists you in creating and organizing your mind map files.
On iPhone, you can create maps by tapping the add button in the bottom right corner of the file browser. On iPad and macOS, the add button is located in the top right corner.
You can also create maps directly from the Home Screen. Escape provides a widget that you can add to the Home Screen on iPadOS or to the widget sidebar on macOS. By using this widget, you can quickly create a mind map or open existing ones.
Tap and hold the app icon to reveal the quick actions menu, and then choose the New Map option to quickly create a map.
The quick maps created from the widget or quick actions menu are located in the root of the Escape iCloud folder. If iCloud Drive is not enabled, the new maps are created in the root folder of your local storage.
The file name is inherited from the text of the root topic.
To create a new topic, simply tap and hold any existing topic for a split second. A new topic will appear, which you can then drop next to any existing topic.
On macOS, or iPadOS when using a trackpad or mouse, you can hover the cursor over any topic for a split second, and then tap one of the plus buttons that appear.
To create a task within a topic, start by creating a topic. Then add a task percentage icon from the icon editor. You have the option to choose between 0%, 25%, 75%, and 100% completion for the task.
You can also set a task priority from 1 to 5 by adding a priority icon.
You have the ability to edit various aspects of a topic. This includes editing the topic text, notes, attached links, or images. Additionally, you can adjust the topic colors, shape, and text style.
Editing a topic on iOS is similar to editing text in a notes app. The topic editor consists of a keyboard and a row of buttons, that allow you to switch between different editor sections.
To edit a topic, double-tap on the topic.
Editing a topic on macOS is similar. The topic editor is displayed in a floating panel that can be minimized by deselecting the selected editor button.
To edit a topic, double-click on the topic.
Note: You can add up to 5 icons on a topic.
To paste text, links, or images, double-tap on a topic and then select the paste option. This action creates a subtopic that contains the pasted information.
When using a trackpad or mouse, simply right-click on a topic to access the context menu.
You can quickly organize topics by dragging and dropping them to the desired location. When you reattach a topic to a new parent topic, a temporary line connection confirms the attachment.
By tapping or clicking on a topic, you can fold or unfold its subtopics.
Note: The root topic cannot be folded.
You have the flexibility to apply a topic style to either a single topic, or multiple topics at once.
To copy or paste a topic style on a single topic, double-tap or right-click on the topic to access the context menu. From there, select the appropriate option.
If you want to apply a topic style to multiple topics simultaneously, you can choose the paste style option from the Batch Op submenu.
You can perform operations on multiple topics simultaneously. These operations include adding, removing, checking, or unchecking tasks, as well as sorting topics by completion, priority, or name.
You can also apply topic styles to sibling topics, topics at the same level, or to all the topics in a branch.
To perform batch operations, tap on a topic, choose the Batch Op submenu from the context menu, and then select the desired operation.
The operation will be applied to the topic itself and its siblings unless specified otherwise.
Double-tap a topic and then choose the paste option from the context menu. Pasting on a topic creates a subtopic containing the pasted content.
When using a trackpad or mouse, simply right-click on a topic to access the paste option.
If the pasted text contains multiple lines or if the clipboard holds multiple photos or links, the app automatically creates several subtopics. Each item from the clipboard will have its own corresponding subtopic.
If you want to add text to a topic that already has text content, double-tap on the topic to begin editing, and then tap and hold the topic text until the standard context menu appears. From there, choose the paste option.
To paste notes, links or images into a topic, double-tap on the topic and then paste the content into the appropriate editor section.
Escape utilizes MMAP as its native map format. To import MMAP files, you have two options:
You can open a MMAP file from another app by selecting the "Open in Another App" option, and then choosing Escape, or simply by dropping the MMAP files into the Escape iCloud folder.
Please note that while relationships and callouts in MMAP mind maps are currently not supported, they are preserved for round-trip editing.
You can import text and OPML files. Use the option "Open in Another App" and then choose Escape, or drop the files in the Escape iCloud folder. They are automatically imported when opened.
Double-tap on the topic and then copy the content from the appropriate editor section. For photos, tap the share button in the photo editor and select the copy option.
When using a trackpad or mouse, simply right-click on a topic to access the copy option.
To copy the outline text representing a branch of topics, double-tap on the root topic and choose the copy option from the context menu. This action will copy the text of the topic and its subtopics to the clipboard, organized into indented outline levels.
You can share your mind maps as MindManager MMAP, outline text, PDF, or PNG.
To export or share a mind map from the file browser, simply tap and hold, or right-click, on the desired mind map file. Then, select an action from the share screen that appears.
If you want to share an open map directly, you can tap or click the share button located on the navigation bar.
To export or share a topic photo, access the photo editor section for the specific topic, and then tap or click the share button available in the editor.
SHORTCUT | ACTION |
---|---|
Return | Create sibling topic |
Shift-Return | Create sibling topic before |
Tab | Create child topic |
Shift-Tab | Create child topic before (Works on the root topic in mind map mode) |
SHORTCUT | ACTION |
---|---|
Command-Return | Begin editing topic |
Esc | End editing topic |
Shift-Return | Insert line break |
Shift-Tab | Insert tab |
SHORTCUT | ACTION |
---|---|
Command-C | Copy the topic |
Command-X | Cut the topic |
Command-V | Paste on the topic |
Delete | Delete topic |
SHORTCUT | ACTION |
---|---|
Option-Command-C | Copy topic style |
Option-Command-V | Paste the topic style from clipboard |
Option-Command-R | Reset topic style |
SHORTCUT | ACTION |
---|---|
Arrow Up | Move selection up |
Arrow Down | Move selection down |
Arrow Left | Move selection left |
Arrow Right | Move selection right |
Command-Arrow Up | Move selection to top |
Command-Arrow Down | Move selection to bottom |
Option-Click | Select topic |
SHORTCUT | ACTION |
---|---|
Option-Arrow Up | Move topic up |
Option-Arrow Down | Move topic down |
Option-Arrow Left | Move topic left |
Option-Arrow Right | Move topic right |
Option-Command-Arrow Up | Move topic to top |
Option-Command-Arrow Down | Move topic to bottom |
SHORTCUT | ACTION |
---|---|
Space | Fold or unfold topic |
Shift-Space | Fold or unfold siblings |
SHORTCUT | ACTION |
---|---|
Command-T | Add task on topic |
Option-Command-T | Remove task from topic |
Command-Y | Check topic |
Option-Command-Y | Uncheck topic |
SHORTCUT | ACTION |
---|---|
Shift-Command-T | Add task on sibling topics |
Option-Shift-Command-T | Remove task from sibling topics |
Shift-Command-Y | Check sibling topics |
Option-Shift-Command-Y | Remove task from sibling topics |
SHORTCUT | ACTION |
---|---|
Command-1 | Set priority 1 |
Command-2 | Set priority 2 |
Command-3 | Set priority 3 |
Command-4 | Set priority 4 |
Command-5 | Set priority 5 |
Option-Command-1 | Remove priority |
Option-Command-2 | Remove priority |
Option-Command-3 | Remove priority |
Option-Command-4 | Remove priority |
Option-Command-5 | Remove priority |
SHORTCUT | ACTION |
---|---|
Option-Command-1 | Set priority 1 on sibling topics |
Option-Command-2 | Set priority 2 on sibling topics |
Option-Command-3 | Set priority 3 on sibling topics |
Option-Command-4 | Set priority 4 on sibling topics |
Option-Command-5 | Set priority 5 on sibling topics |
SHORTCUT | ACTION |
---|---|
Command-B | Set bold font |
Command-I | Set italic font |
Command-U | Set underline font |
Option-Command-U | Set strikethrough font |
Command-= | Increase font size |
Command-- | Decrease font size |
Command-0 | Reset font size |
Command-[ | Align text left |
Command-] | Align text right |
Command-\ | Align text center |
SHORTCUT | ACTION |
---|---|
Shift-Command-B | Set bold text on sibling topics |
Shift-Command-I | Set italic text on sibling topics |
Shift-Command-U | Set underline text on sibling topics |
Option-Shift-Command-U | Set strikethrough text on sibling topics |
Shift-Command-= | Increase font size on sibling topics |
Shift-Command-- | Decrease font size on sibling topics |
Shift-Command-0 | Reset font size on sibling topics |
Shift-Command-[ | Align text left on sibling topics |
Shift-Command-] | Align text right on sibling topics |
Shift-Command-\ | Align text center on sibling topics |
SHORTCUT | ACTION |
---|---|
Option-Command-+ | Zoom in |
Option-Command-- | Zoom out |
Option-Command-0 | Reset zoom level |
Escape supports a custom URL scheme, which enables communication between Escape and other apps, allowing them to trigger specific actions.
The following actions are available through the custom URL scheme:
This action creates a new map either in the root folder of the Escape iCloud folder, or in the root folder of your local storage, if iCloud Drive is not enabled.
escapeapp://newMap
escapeapp://newMap?name=Name
The 'name' parameter is percent encoded. If this parameter is not present, the name of the mind map file is inherited from the text of the root topic.
Example:
escapeapp://newMap?name=Project%20ideas
This action opens the most recently accessed mind map. escapeapp://openMap
Reach out with questions any time at support@escapeapp.cloud.