Insert flowcharts and UML diagrams in Docs

2 min read

I. Intro

Create flowcharts and UML diagrams in a document to visualize complex processes and systems.

Note: There are two different versions of flowcharts and UML diagrams, with slightly different functionality. We recommend using new versions of flowcharts and UML diagrams. This article mainly introduces the steps for inserting and editing for the new versions of flowcharts and UML diagrams.

II. Steps

Insert flowcharts and UML diagrams

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Notice: Flowcharts and UML diagrams can only be inserted on the desktop app and web version.

Open the document and use one of the following methods to insert a flowchart or UML diagram:

Method 1: Hover over the beginning of a blank line, click the + icon on the left, and select Flowchart or UML Diagram.

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Method 2: On a blank line or after a space, enter /flowchart or /UML (not case sensitive), and click Flowchart or UML Diagram.

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You will be redirected to the board. Here, you can draw flowcharts or UML diagrams on the board, which will also be inserted into the document. For more details on inserting boards, see Create or insert a board.

Edit flowcharts and UML diagrams

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Notice: The new versions of flowcharts and UML diagrams support editing on the desktop app, mobile app, and web version. However, supported actions on the mobile app are limited. For more details, see Edit boards on the mobile app.

You can start editing the flowchart or UML diagram once you enter the board.

You can insert and edit a wide variety of items, such as shapes, icons, images, lines, emojis, profile photos, wireframes, and more to create your charts. You can also add text to provide descriptions. For more details on editing flowcharts or UML diagrams, see Edit a board.

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III. FAQs

Can I use the old version of flowcharts or UML diagrams in a document?

Yes. If you need to insert and edit old flowcharts or UML diagrams, you can follow these actions:

Open the document, hover over the beginning of a blank line, and click the + icon. From the tool list, click More, and select Flowchart or UML Diagram to edit the chart editor.

From the chart editor, select a shape from the shape library on the left and drag it onto the board to start editing. You can also use the toolbar at the top and the format pane on the right for more detailed editing and settings.

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Click Close in the upper-left corner to exit the full-screen chart editor and return to the document. To edit again, hover over the block, and click Edit on the toolbar at the top.

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Can I upgrade the old version of flowcharts or UML diagrams to the new version?

Yes. On the old version of the chart editor for flowcharts or UML diagrams, click Upgrade to Board to upgrade to the new version. For more details, see Upgrade flowcharts or UML diagrams to boards.

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How do I zoom in to view a flowchart or UML diagram in a document?

For the new version of flowchart or UML diagram, hover over the board and click the Zoom in icon. For the old version of flowchart or UML diagram, charts and diagrams are displayed as images in the document, which you can click to zoom in.

Who can edit flowcharts or UML diagrams in a document?

Users with edit permission can draw and edit diagrams. Users with view permissions can only view and enlarge the diagrams.

Can multiple members simultaneously edit a flowchart or UML diagram in a document?

Yes.

Can I download flowcharts and UML diagrams in the document as images?

Yes. For the new version of flowchart or UML diagram, see Export content from a board. For the old version of flowchart or UML diagram, hover over the chart or diagram, and click the Download image icon in the toolbar that appears above.

Note: Only users with download permission can download flowcharts and UML diagrams.

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What are the length and width limits for downloading or exporting flowcharts and UML diagrams in the document?

The new version of flowchart or UML diagram has no dimension limits for download or export. For more details, see Export content from a board. The old version of flowchart or UML diagram supports downloading or exporting shapes with dimensions not exceeding 5,000 px. You can check whether the length or width of a diagram exceeds the limit based on the number of pages used. Diagrams that take up fewer than 6 pages horizontally and fewer than 4 pages vertically can be exported. If the length or width of a diagram exceeds the limit, you can zoom out to an appropriate size before exporting.

For example, the following diagram occupies 4 pages horizontally and 2 pages vertically.

Note: You can click the canvas and clear the grid lines on the right panel to check the number of pages used more easily.

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Can I import draw.io files into a flowchart or UML diagram?

Yes, they can be imported into the new version of flowchart or UML diagram. For more details, see Import content onto a board. They can't be imported into the old version of flowchart or UML diagram.

Written by: Lark Help Center

Updated on 2024-12-30

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