Miro User Guide
Introduction
What is Miro
Miro is a visual working tool that allows us to draw diagrams and maps in a visual way.
Why do we use Miro
Humans are visual creatures. If dogs invented Miro it would be using smells, but since humans invented it, and we use our eyes lots and think in visual ways, Miro allows us to communicate things visually. Visual communication often helps us understand more quickly than written communication and allows us to show the relationships between things.
We use Miro to do work in visual ways because it helps us think through how we understand something, plan how things should work, and communicate and collaborate more effectively.
Getting started
Creating an account
To create an account, go to https://miro.com/ and sign-up using your Prince’s Trust email address and password of your choice.
Finding your way around Miro
Boards
A board is an infinite workspace within Miro
To see all the board go to Miro | Online Whiteboard for Visual Collaboration
The side menu allows you to move between different groups of boards, and the boards within the groups are shown in All boards.
In a board
The more things that are added to a board the harder it can be to find the thing you’re looking for, but there are a few things that can help.
We use Frames (more details below) to group together pieces of work, and every frame has a unique link. Any link you see for a Miro board that has ‘?moveToWidget’ in it is for a Frame. To find particular Frames in the future you can bookmark the link.
We also use Cards (more details below) to help us find work. Cards can have tags which show up in the search. These need to be set in advance, so if you are working on a board and it has a Card in the top left corner feel free to add whatever Tags make it easier for you to find where that Card is in the future. You can add Tags that describe the work, or project or your name. Clicking on the red tag in the search results will take you to that card.
The basics of using Miro
Zooming in and out
In the bottom right corner is a map of the board.
When starting a new diagram its best to start at 100%. This means you can zoom in and out, which will make navigating around the board easier.
You can zoom in and out by clicking on the plus and minus symbol on the map or by using the plus and minus keys on your keyboard.
Scrolling around
If you want to move around a board, it’s often easier to zoom out a bit first so that each move covers more of the board and then zoom back in. You can use the up, down, left and right keys on your keyboard to move around the board. You can also click on the pointer icon to change your cursor into a hand and then click and hold down on your laptop trackpad to swipe around the board.
Frames
Frames provide a background and a way of grouping work together.
To create a Frame, click on the Frame icon and select the dimensions.
You can then click on the title of the frame to change its name.
To resize the frame, click on the edge and drag it to the size and shape you want.
To change the colour of the Frame, click on the frame to open the menu, click on the ‘fill color’ icon, and select the colour you want.
To get the link to the frame to share with others, click on the edge of the frame and a menu will appear. Click the three dots to see all the options and click Copy link. The link to the board is now copied to your clipboard so you can paste it wherever you want.
Once you have the Frame set how you want it, it’s a good idea to lock it by clicking on the anchor icon in the menu. This will prevent the Frame from moving around as you move Shapes and Post-it Notes around.
Pointer
The pointer allows you to do two things: when it’s an arrow it lets you select things, and when it’s a hand it lets you move the board around. You can change between the two by clicking on the Pointer icon in the left menu.
Post-it notes
Post-it notes can be added by clicking on the Post-it note icon. You can then change the colour and size of the note. It’s a good idea to add a key to your frame to explain what the different colours of notes mean, and to agree conventions like ‘Bigger post notes are for more important things’.
Text
You can text boxes by clicking on Text icon. Text boxes have a menu that allows you to change the font, the size of the text, its alignment, etc. As with the Post-it notes, it’s a good idea to agree with everyone working in the Frame what different fonts and sizes mean.
Shapes
Shapes can be added by clicking on the Shapes icon and selecting the shape. Shapes can have text written them and have a menu that allows you to change border colour, background colour, text colour, etc.
Connection lines
Connection lines can be added by clicking on the Connection line icon and selecting the type of line, or by clicking on a Shape or Post-it Note and then clicking on a blue dot. You’ll then be able to drag the Connection line to the blue dots of another Shape or Post-it Note. Making sure the Connection lines go to a blue dot means that if you move the Shape or Post-it notes the line will move with it. Connection lines have a menu that allows you to change colour, thickness, etc.
