How to Import Freemind Files

How to Import FreeMind Files

FreeMind files (.mm) can be imported into various mind mapping applications. Here's how to open and import FreeMind files in different software.

What Are FreeMind Files?

FreeMind files use the .mm extension and are stored as XML-based plain text files. FreeMind is a premier free mind-mapping software written in Java that creates these universally compatible mind map files.

Software That Imports FreeMind Files

The following tools can import FreeMind mind maps: ConceptDraw MINDMAP, MindMeister, EdrawMind, XMind, Mindomo, TheBrain

XMind

  1. Open XMind
  2. Click File → Import
  3. Select the "FreeMind file" format and browse to find your .mm source file
  4. Choose an import location and click Import

MindMeister

  1. Log into MindMeister
  2. Click + New Mind Map
  3. Select Import
  4. Upload your .mm file
  5. Click Import to convert

SimpleMind Pro

SimpleMind imports the basic structure of .mm files, capturing text, notes, and hierarchy while ignoring other attributes like links and icons

Mobile/iPad:

  1. Locate the .mm file in your device
  2. Tap the file and select "SimpleMind Pro"
  3. Tap Import in the preview window

Desktop:

  1. Open SimpleMind Pro
  2. Use Files explorer
  3. Select your .mm file and click Convert

Freeplane

Open an existing map with File→Open mind map… (Ctrl+O). This opens a file picker to let you chose a Freeplane .mm map file to open

  1. Download and install Freeplane (FreeMind successor)
  2. Open Freeplane
  3. Click File → Open mind map
  4. Select your .mm file

Astah

Go to [Tools] – [Mindmap] – [Import FreeMind Files] and select your .mm files (you can import more than one .mm files at once)

Mindomo

Mindomo is feature-rich free mind map software with wide-ranging import capability, allowing you to open files from many other mind mapping applications

  1. Create Mindomo account
  2. Click + Create
  3. Select Import
  4. Upload .mm file
  5. Click Import

Import Limitations

What Transfers:

  • Node hierarchy and structure
  • Text content
  • Basic notes
  • Node relationships

What May Not Transfer:

  • Custom icons
  • Hyperlinks
  • Advanced formatting
  • Colors and styling
  • Attached files

Troubleshooting

File won't open?

  • FreeMind files are XML-based, so you can open them in a text editor to check if the file is corrupted
  • Try different software if one tool fails

Encoding issues?

  • Try changing encoding from UTF-8 to iso-8859-1 if you see character display problems

Large files slow?

  • Consider splitting large mind maps before importing
  • Some tools perform better with smaller file sizes

Alternative: Direct FreeMind Use

If import doesn't work, you can still use the original FreeMind software:

  1. Download FreeMind from SourceForge
  2. Install and run FreeMind
  3. Open your .mm files directly
  4. Export to other formats if needed
How to Export Xmind Files