> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://helpdesk.smaply.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://helpdesk.smaply.app/hierarchy-maps/how-to-create-a-hierarchy-map.md).

# How to create a hierarchy map

A hierarchy map gathers your existing journey maps into one space, linked together so you can move between a high-level overview and the detailed journeys it connects to. Create one from the **Hierarchies** area, then add each journey map as a linked node.

{% hint style="warning" icon="list-check" %}

#### Prerequisites

The journey maps you want to link already exist in this workspace (or in the Account Library). A hierarchy map connects maps you have already built; it does not create them. To make the underlying maps first, see [How to create a journey map](/journey-maps/how-to-create-a-journey-map.md).
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" icon="tag" %}

#### Plan availability

Hierarchy maps are built from linked journey map cards, available on the **Repository** plan and above.
{% endhint %}

#### How to create a hierarchy map

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Open the Hierarchies area**

In the workspace sidebar, click **Hierarchies**. The list shows every hierarchy map in the workspace, or an empty state if you have not made one yet.

<figure><img src="/files/ZnzgiI7DvjhuT2tYWG3L" alt="The Hierarchies area in a workspace, with no hierarchy maps yet. A New hierarchy button sits in the top-right corner and the sidebar shows Hierarchies selected below Journey maps."><figcaption><p>[Workspace name] / Hierarchies, empty state</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Create the hierarchy map**

Click **+ New hierarchy** in the top-right corner. There is no naming dialog. Smaply creates the hierarchy map straight away and opens it in the editor, which works like a journey map: a **Stage** lane across the top and a **Linked maps** lane below it.

<figure><img src="/files/qA3AmhvN1CKdt4XgnY76" alt="A new, empty hierarchy map open in the editor. It has a Stage lane at the top and a Linked maps lane below, where an empty cell shows an Add a linked Journey Map prompt with a Link journey map button."><figcaption><p>New hierarchy map, before any maps are linked</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Rename it**

Click the auto-generated title in the top bar and type a name that describes the experience the hierarchy covers, for example the product or lifecycle it maps.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Add your top-level map as a linked node**

In the **Linked maps** lane, click **Link journey map** on the empty-cell prompt. (You can also hover any empty cell, click **+ Add card**, and pick **Link journey map** from the picker.)

<figure><img src="/files/mt42bRZks0bEjUdE6bVV" alt="The Add card picker open on an empty cell in a hierarchy map. Link journey map is the highlighted quick-select entry at the top, followed by BASIC CARDS (Text, Image, Stage, Icons, Slider) and ADVANCED CARDS (Embed, Planning)."><figcaption><p>Add card picker, Link journey map at the top</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Pick the map to link**

In the **Link journey map** dialog, search the workspace's maps in the **Search or create journey map** field. Select a result to load a preview of how the linked node will appear on the right, then click **Select** to add it. Start with your highest-level map, the lifecycle or overview that anchors the structure.

<figure><img src="/files/wH8LtogHGseiAYmJcqba" alt="The Link journey map dialog with a map selected in the results list. The right pane previews the linked node showing the map name and a Healthy performance indicator. A blue Select button confirms the choice."><figcaption><p>Link journey map dialog, with a map selected to preview</p></figcaption></figure>

To link a map that does not exist yet, type its name and click **Create**. The new map opens for you to build out, then becomes available to link.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Build out the hierarchy**

Repeat the link step to add the rest of your maps. Linking is flexible, so arrange them to match your experience:

* **Zoom in** - add another **Linked maps** lane (the lane's three-dot menu offers **Duplicate lane below**) and link the detailed journeys that sit under a higher-level map.
* **Link across** - add more linked maps along a lane to connect related journeys side by side, like the same stage across different channels.

The same map can be linked into more than one hierarchy, so a reusable journey like login or checkout can appear in several places.

<figure><img src="/files/hcX7pCKnFQubI0pWjwUM" alt="A built-out hierarchy map with three linked journey nodes across two Linked maps lanes. A Level 1 product map sits in the upper lane above two Level 2 maps in the lower lane, each node showing a map thumbnail, name, and Healthy performance indicator."><figcaption><p>A hierarchy map with a Level 1 map over two Level 2 sub-journeys</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="success" icon="lightbulb" %}

#### **Tip: Sub-journeys can come from other workspaces**

A linked node can point at a map from a different workspace through the Account Library. The row menu on a hierarchy map also offers **Copy to other workspace** and **Move to library**. See [How to use the Account Library](/account-and-team/how-to-use-the-account-library.md) for sharing maps across workspaces.
{% endhint %}

#### How to navigate between linked journeys

Each node carries the linked map's live details and two ways to open it without leaving the hierarchy.

Select a node and click **Preview** in its toolbar to open the linked map in an overlay. From the preview header, switch on **Full screen** for a larger read-only view, or click **Edit map** to open the linked journey in a new tab.

<figure><img src="/files/FMYZDvBzd1Esb8OaPfl6" alt="A linked journey map rendered in a preview overlay on top of the hierarchy map. The overlay header shows the map name, a Full screen toggle, and an Edit map button."><figcaption><p>Preview overlay of a linked journey map</p></figcaption></figure>

To see the node's details, click **Show card details** in the toolbar. The side panel carries the linked map's description and performance indicator, with **Preview** and **Go to journey** buttons. **Go to journey** opens the underlying map, the same destination as **Edit map** in the preview header.

<figure><img src="/files/S7HPq2gsL1LoDrREkmYk" alt="The details side panel for a linked journey node, showing the linked map&#x27;s name, description, and a Healthy performance indicator, with Preview and Go to journey buttons above the Personas, Card tags, and Comments sections."><figcaption><p>Linked journey node details, with Preview and Go to journey</p></figcaption></figure>

For the full set of fields a linked node can display and how to switch between condensed and custom layouts, see [How to use linked journey map cards](/journey-maps/cards/how-to-use-linked-journey-map-cards.md).

#### Related topics

<table data-column-title-hidden data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th>Article</th><th>What it covers</th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref">Target</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>How to choose between a journey map and a hierarchy map</strong></td><td>When to reach for a hierarchy map instead of a single journey map.</td><td><a href="/pages/ANYZEQ2NKtnOB6djd635">/pages/ANYZEQ2NKtnOB6djd635</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>How to use linked journey map cards</strong></td><td>Every field a linked node can show, plus condensed and custom display settings.</td><td><a href="/pages/Q15UKTZ5abMpckZ716o9">/pages/Q15UKTZ5abMpckZ716o9</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>How to create a journey map</strong></td><td>Build the underlying maps you link into a hierarchy.</td><td><a href="/pages/LfyJzQKJ0Sv9rMnQYKEQ">/pages/LfyJzQKJ0Sv9rMnQYKEQ</a></td></tr></tbody></table>


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