Creating Interactive Flowcharts & Mind Maps in Markdown

Complex topics often require visual maps to be fully understood. In this guide, we’ll explore how to create beautiful, interactive flowcharts and mind maps using Mermaid.js, directly within your Markdown files.

The Power of Mind Maps

Mind maps are excellent for breaking down a central concept into its component parts.

Here is a recreation of the Linear Algebra for Data Science curriculum map:

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How to Write It

The syntax is intuitive. You start with a root node and indent to create branches.

mindmap
  root((Main Topic))
    Branch 1
      Sub-branch A
      Sub-branch B
    Branch 2
      Sub-branch C

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Flowcharts for Processes

For step-by-step processes or algorithms, the Flowchart (Graph) is your best friend.

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Custom Styling

You can apply specific styles to nodes to highlight start/end points or error states.

graph TD
    A[Start] --> B{Decision}
    style A fill:#22c55e,color:#fff

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Sequence Diagrams

Perfect for showing interactions between systems over time.

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Conclusion

By integrating these diagrams, you turn passive reading into active learning. The best part? It’s all text-based, version-controllable, and renders beautifully on any device.