In this article:
1. What Are Whiteboards?
2. How to Create Whiteboards?
2.1. From the Sidebar
2.2. Inside the Card Description
2.3. Inside Subtasks
2.4. Inside Comments
2.5. In the Rich Text Widget
3. Main Whiteboard Elements
3.1. Frames
3.2. Cards
Whiteboards are a versatile feature that allows teams to collaborate, visualize ideas, and organize information in a flexible, interactive space. Here is what they are and how to create them in Businessmap!
1. What Are Whiteboards?
In Businessmap, whiteboards act as a blank canvas where you can brainstorm ideas, create mockups, take notes, map processes, and collaborate with your team.
You can create whiteboards at the board level from the sidebar, as well as anywhere the rich text editor is available in the product. This means you can also create whiteboards in the description fields of cards and initiatives, subtasks, comments, and the Rich Text widget.
However, whiteboards cannot currently be transferred between different areas, such as from a board to a Rich Text widget or card description.
Currently, only Account Owners and Workspace Managers can create and delete whiteboards from boards. Any user with access to the whiteboard can view and edit it, and multiple users can work on the same whiteboard simultaneously. However, only Account Owners and the user who created the whiteboard can change its name and description.
2. How to Create Whiteboards?
2.1. From the Sidebar
To create a whiteboard in a specific board, open that board’s sidebar and click the “Whiteboards” icon. This will open the whiteboards panel, where you can view/edit existing whiteboards and create new ones.
Click the “New Whiteboard” button, give your whiteboard a name, and add a description (optional). Save your changes and click the whiteboard to open the canvas. Here, you can add notes, drawings, images, and more. You can also zoom in and out as needed.
Note: You can rearrange whiteboards in the sidebar by dragging and dropping them.
2.2. Inside the Card Description
To create a whiteboard within a card description, click the description field to open the editor, and select the “Insert Whiteboard” icon. This will open a new canvas with the same editing options available as in the board-level and rich text widget whiteboards.
2.3. Inside Subtasks
To create a whiteboard in a card subtask, select the “Insert Whiteboard” icon from the editor.
2.4. Inside Comments
To create a whiteboard in a card comment, select the “Insert Whiteboard” icon from the editor.
2.5. In the Rich Text Widget
To add a whiteboard in the Rich Text widget, open an existing Rich Text widget or create a new one. Click the “Insert Whiteboard” icon to open a blank canvas and start creating your whiteboard.
3. Main Whiteboard Elements
The whiteboard editor offers various design elements to help shape your ideas on the canvas. In addition to adding text, notes, shapes, arrows, drawings, and images, you can also create frames and cards. Here's how to work with them:
3.1. Frames
Frames allow you to group ideas and elements within a single space on your whiteboard, making it easy to organize and distinguish different sections. This helps you seamlessly navigate through content and ideas within your whiteboards.
For example, if you're using a whiteboard to brainstorm ideas with your team, each member can add their ideas and context in a separate frame, so they're easier to review later on.
Frames allow you to group elements on a whiteboard in two ways: by creating a frame first and then adding elements inside it, or by selecting multiple elements on the whiteboard, right-clicking, and choosing “Frame selection” from the options menu. Once inside a frame, items can be moved together as a group. If you drag the frame to include additional items, they will automatically be added to it. You can also rename frames by double-clicking the default “Frame” label in the top-left corner.
3.2. Cards
You can create sample cards to visualize project hierarchies and organize ideas. Currently, these cards cannot be linked to regular cards or initiatives in your boards.
Cards in whiteboards can be customized with color, priority, owner, due date, and status (see image above).