Miro toolbars explained: Features, frames, and tips

By Tobias Becker Last updated on November 15, 2026

At first glance, Miro quickly seems cluttered: icons, toolbars, and buttons are scattered around the edge of the board, and their purpose is not always clear. Yet these menu bars contain many functions that make collaboration and presenting your ideas much easier. Whether it's frames, comments, voting, or the board history: with a quick overview, you'll find your way around quickly.

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This guide takes you step by step through all the important toolbars. I assume you already know the basic functions, such as renaming the board or using the toolbar, since they are largely self-explanatory.

Key Takeaways

• Frames structure your board and serve as the basis for presentations.
• Comments and the chat enable feedback without everyone having to speak at the same time.
• Voting and the timer support decisions and meetings, but are not available in the free version.
• The board history allows you to restore deleted elements.
• Zoom, pin map, and full-screen mode help you keep your bearings even on large boards.

Step 1: Selecting and Using Frames

You can find the frames in the toolbar at the bottom left. Frames are areas on your board that you can arrange like slides. Clicking a frame in the overview takes you directly to that spot, even if the board is very large. You can also create new frames, but their real value lies in quick navigation.

Step 2: Renaming, Exporting, and Deleting Frames

Via the three dots at the top right in the frame menu, you can rename a frame, export it as an image or CSV file, delete it, or create a duplicate. When renaming, make sure the names are unique, because the numbering is not always what you expect. A frame you named "Tobias" may suddenly appear at a different position in the list.

Step 3: Using Presentation Mode

With presentation mode, you go through all the frames one after another. You can start the presentation in full screen via the play button or simply click through in the window. Frames are so important because they give you a clear order when presenting and help you find your way around an extensive board.

Step 4: Leaving and Replying to Comments

In the toolbar at the bottom left, you will also find the comments. You can comment directly on the board, and the comments then appear in an overview. With one click, you jump back and forth between comments. Use this function when you want to respond to individual objects specifically without disrupting the flow of the board.

Step 5: Using the Chat for the Team

The chat is a global chat for everyone currently working on the board. A message therefore reaches everyone who is currently on the board. This is especially handy with large groups, for example when you run a board with many participants. In the free version, this function usually plays a minor role, but with larger teams on a paid plan it becomes very useful.

Step 6: Understanding Cards for Kanban and Scrum

Cards are card-like notes that you can create via the sticky notes. To do so, select the sticky note, click "Switch type" at the top left, and switch to the card view. This view becomes especially important when you work with templates for Kanban or Scrum boards. If, on the other hand, you work freely on an empty board, you usually don't need it.

Step 7: Using Screen Sharing

With the screen sharing function, you can show your board to other people. In practice, this is often combined with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or other video conferencing software. You then draw in Miro and share the window in your meeting. Miro itself only offers a simple sharing option, so combining it with a video tool is usually the better solution.

Step 8: Using Voting and Timer

With voting, you can have frames or objects rated. Each participant can give a "like," for example, and you can then see which frame received how many votes. This makes decisions easier because not everyone has to individually turn on their microphone and voice their opinion. The timer counts down a set time, such as three minutes, and is useful for limiting sections in meetings. Both functions, as well as the video chat, are only available in the paid versions.

Step 9: Using the Board History

You can find the Board History via the lightning bolt icon. Here you can see all actions on the board with timestamps, such as edits, deletions, or newly created frames. You can restore deleted elements via "Restore." This tool is especially helpful if you accidentally removed something and the change happened a while ago. By the way, the toolbar can also be collapsed if you don't need it.

Step 10: Navigating with Zoom and Fit to Screen

In the toolbar on the right, you'll find the zoom tools. You can zoom to 100 percent, zoom in or out with plus and minus, and choose the "Fit to Screen" option. This function brings all objects into the visible area of your screen. This is useful if you have distributed elements of various sizes and positions across the board.

Step 11: Using the Pin Map for Orientation

The Pin Map shows you an overview of your entire board and marks your current view. If you see blue areas there, there are more objects outside your field of view. You can click on the Pin Map and move it to specifically search for forgotten elements. This way, you won't lose track, especially on very large boards.

Step 12: Activating Full Screen Mode

Full screen mode hides the borders at the top and bottom, creating more space for your board. This can be especially helpful on small laptop screens. For most users, however, this function is more of a convenience feature than an important tool.

Step 13: Getting to Know the Top Bar with Users and Reactions

At the top right, you can see who is active on the board, and you can use reactions such as emojis. This is handy when you ask a question, such as "How do you like the board?", and receive the answers directly as emojis. With the hand function, you show the moderator that you have a question. You'll also find the button here for sharing the board with other people.

Step 14: Adjusting the Settings

In the settings, you determine how your board looks. You can design the background without a grid, with lines, or with dots. If you don't want a background, you get a simple work surface that, depending on your preference, looks very appealing. Notifications can also be managed here. The settings are very personal, so it's best to try out for yourself what you like.

Step 15: Using Shortcuts and Navigation Mode

Under Shortcuts, you'll find keyboard shortcuts, such as "T" for text, "R" for rectangle, or "L" for line. They save a lot of time once you work with Miro regularly. In Navigation Mode, you decide whether you control the board with a mouse or a trackpad. Most users stick with the mouse.

Step 16: Using the Guide, Notifications, and Search

The Guide offers explanations directly from Miro on various topics. The bell shows you unread messages, for example when you've been tagged in a comment. Using the search bar, you can find terms across the entire board, and a click takes you immediately to the location. On the far right, you open the Notes, with which you can create to-do lists, meeting agendas, or project summaries.

Summary ??? Miro Menu Bars Explained: Features, Frames & More

The menu bars in Miro offer you far more than you might suspect at first glance. Frames structure your board and make presentations easy. Comments, chat, and reactions support collaboration within the team. Voting and timer help with decisions and meetings, but are tied to paid plans. With the board history, zoom, pin map, and shortcuts, you keep an overview even on large boards. You mainly need the cards for Kanban or Scrum templates, and you are best off adjusting the other settings to your personal preferences.

Trainer About Tobias Becker My name is Tobias Becker. I am a student from Vienna and pass on my knowledge about entrepreneurship, social media marketing and investing as a video course lecturer. All courses by Tobias Becker →