PrimeFlow Auto Layout
Use PrimeFlow Auto Layout to quickly arrange all nodes or a selected set of nodes into a cleaner canvas structure.
Auto Layout helps when a PrimeFlow canvas becomes hard to read after adding many nodes, importing a structure, expanding related items, or building a large mind map. It moves nodes into a chosen arrangement while keeping the canvas content and connections intact.
Use Auto Layout as a cleanup tool, a starting point before manual adjustments, or a quick way to prepare a canvas for review or export.
Auto Layout is available on Standard and Pro
The PrimeFlow feature matrix lists undo/redo, auto-layout, and snap behavior for both Standard and Pro.
What you can do
Arrange the whole canvas
when no multi-node selection is active
Arrange selected nodes only
when two or more nodes are selected
Choose Hierarchical, Horizontal, Radial, or Grid
Use connections to guide relationship-based arrangements
Fit the arranged canvas back into view automatically
Use Auto Layout before full screen review or export
Keep editing after Auto Layout runs
Select before arranging
If you only want to clean up one part of a canvas, select those nodes first. Auto Layout will arrange the selected nodes instead of the whole canvas.
How to open Auto Layout
- Main navigation: Open PrimeFlow.
- PrimeFlow header: Choose Auto Layout.
- Command palette: Press ⌘+K on macOS or Ctrl+K on Windows, search for PrimeFlow, then use Auto Layout from the PrimeFlow header.
For the full header guide, see PrimeFlow Header and Controls.
Auto Layout choices
PrimeFlow currently offers four Auto Layout choices.
| Choice | Best for |
|---|---|
| Hierarchical | Planning flows that read from top to bottom |
| Horizontal | Workflows that read from left to right |
| Radial | Maps that start from a central item and spread outward |
| Grid | Even spacing when relationships are less important than tidy placement |
Hierarchical
Use Hierarchical when you want a structured top-to-bottom flow. It works well for project breakdowns, goal-to-milestone-to-task maps, dependency chains, and process maps.
Horizontal
Use Horizontal when you want a left-to-right workflow. It works well for timelines, handoffs, pipeline-style work, or process steps.
Radial
Use Radial when one node is the main idea and other nodes branch away from it. It works well for mind maps, stakeholder maps, concept maps, and relationship exploration.
Grid
Use Grid when you want tidy spacing across many nodes without emphasizing connection order. It works well for mixed notes, references, media nodes, and early brainstorming canvases.
Grid is a PrimeFlow Auto Layout option
In this article, Grid refers to the named Auto Layout choice, not a separate view.
Arrange the whole canvas
Step 1
Open PrimeFlow.
Step 2
Open the canvas you want to arrange.
Step 3
Make sure fewer than two nodes are selected.
Step 4
Choose Auto Layout.
Step 5
Choose Hierarchical, Horizontal, Radial, or Grid.
PrimeFlow arranges the current canvas and then fits the arranged content back into view.
Arrange selected nodes
Step 1
Open PrimeFlow.
Step 2
Select two or more nodes.
Step 3
Choose Auto Layout.
Step 4
Choose the arrangement you want.
PrimeFlow arranges only the selected nodes and leaves the other nodes where they are.
Auto Layout moves nodes
If the current placement is important, save the canvas or use Save As before arranging it.
When to use Auto Layout
Auto Layout is useful when:
- A canvas has grown quickly
- A template needs cleanup after editing
- Expanded project, task, company, or contact relationships need more room
- You want to review a canvas in full screen mode
- You want to export a cleaner snapshot
- You want to organize selected nodes without rebuilding the whole canvas
Auto Layout with templates and mind maps
Mind map templates give you a starter structure. Auto Layout can help after you rename topics, add extra branches, connect tasks, or mix mind map nodes with other PrimeFlow nodes.
Use Radial for central-topic maps and Hierarchical for planning structures that should read from main idea to detail.
For template details, see PrimeFlow Mind Map Templates.
Auto Layout with connections
Hierarchical, Horizontal, and Radial arrangements use node relationships to guide placement. Strongly connected nodes are more likely to stay visually related after Auto Layout runs.
If a canvas has few connections, Auto Layout can still arrange the nodes, but the result may need more manual adjustment.
For connection details, see PrimeFlow Connections and Edges.
Auto Layout before export
Auto Layout can help clean up a canvas before exporting it as PNG, WebP, or JPEG. After arranging the canvas, review the result, adjust anything that needs manual placement, then open export.
For export details, see PrimeFlow Export.
Things worth knowing
Auto Layout does not change records
Auto Layout moves canvas nodes. It does not change task status, project fields, CRM records, notes, files, or connection meaning.
Selection changes the scope
If two or more nodes are selected, Auto Layout applies to the selection. If fewer than two nodes are selected, it applies to the whole canvas.
You can keep editing afterward
Auto Layout is not final. Move nodes manually afterward, add more nodes, change connections, apply Color Themes, or export the canvas.
Large canvases may need a second pass
On a large canvas, run Auto Layout, review the result, then manually adjust the most important areas.
Common questions
"Is Auto Layout Pro-only?"
No. Auto Layout is available on every PrimeTask license.
"Does Auto Layout delete anything?"
No. It arranges nodes. It does not delete nodes or connections.
"Why did only part of my canvas move?"
If two or more nodes were selected, Auto Layout arranged only those selected nodes.
"Which option should I choose?"
Use Hierarchical for top-to-bottom planning, Horizontal for process flows, Radial for central idea maps, and Grid for even spacing.
"Should I use Auto Layout before or after Color Themes?"
Either order works. A practical workflow is to arrange the canvas first, then apply a theme and adjust individual node colors if needed.
Where to go next
| If you want to… | Read this |
|---|---|
| Learn all header controls | PrimeFlow Header and Controls |
| Move and select nodes manually | PrimeFlow Canvas Basics |
| Start from templates | PrimeFlow Mind Map Templates |
| Work in a larger viewing mode | PrimeFlow Full Screen Mode |
| Export after arranging | PrimeFlow Export |
| Work with relationships | PrimeFlow Connections and Edges |