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draw.io updated for Atlassian Jira Software 10.0

· 3 min read

Atlassian has recently released Jira Software 10.0 and Data Center Platform 7, which includes a large collection of security and automation improvements. The draw.io app has been updated to support Jira Software 10.0 and its long awaited dark theme - your diagrams will switch to dark mode automatically to match your Jira user settings.
draw.io diagrams in Jira DC 10.0 will automatically switch to a dark mode palette when you use the new Jira Dark theme

Important

If you are planning to upgrade to Jira 10.0, Atlassian recommends you update all Marketplace apps that support the new version - like draw.io does - beforehand.

Dark theme Jira issues and diagrams​

  1. In Jira, click on your user profile image in the top right, then select Theme.
  2. Choose Dark theme, Light theme, or to Match System to match your operating system's theme.
    draw.io diagrams in Jira DC 10.0 will automatically switch to a dark mode palette when you use the new Jira Dark theme

To add a new diagram to a Jira issue, click on More > Add draw.io Diagram to open the draw.io editor.

Once you have saved your diagram to the issue, the Draw.io Diagrams section will be added in the right column.

Diagrams in the Draw.io Diagrams section will be displayed in whichever theme you selected in Jira automatically.

Note: The draw.io diagram in the Attachments section of the Jira issue is saved and shown as if it were light mode. To edit or open a larger version of the diagram, click on the diagram in the Draw.io Diagrams section of the issue.

Hover over the diagram and click on the edit pencil to open it in the draw.io editor.
draw.io diagrams in Jira DC 10.0 will automatically switch to a dark mode palette when you use the new Jira Dark theme

Using draw.io in Jira DC​

draw.io for Confluence Data Center 9.0

· 4 min read

Atlassian has just released Confluence Data Center 9.0, with a wide range of security improvements and user-friendly updates. The draw.io app is fully compatible with Confluence DC 9.0 - when you use the new Dark theme in your Confluence instance, you'll automatically see draw.io diagrams in dark mode.
draw.io diagrams in Confluence DC 9.0 will automatically switch to a dark mode palette when you use the new Confluence Dark theme

Dark mode diagrams in Confluence DC​

Just as Confluence has updated their colour palette for accessibility contrast to ensure text page content remains readable on a dark background, draw.io automatically switches to an enhanced dark-mode palette.

Dark mode colours with improved contrast are automatically applied to the diagram previews when you look at any Confluence DC 9.0 page, and also when you click on the diagram to open it in the draw.io lightbox viewer.
When you open a draw.io diagram from a Confluence DC 9.0 page into the lightbox, it will automatically apply your light or dark theme and change the diagram colours to stay readable

Edit draw.io diagrams in dark mode​

If you use the Confluence Dark theme, draw.io diagram macros and draw.io board macros will open the draw.io editor automatically in dark mode.

Improved contrast dark mode palette by default

The draw.io dark mode palette in Confluence DC 9.0 uses improved contrast colours by default, ensuring maximum readability of your diagrams when viewed in both dark and light modes.
The dark mode palette in draw.io for Confluence DC 9.0 is designed for the best readability

draw.io board macro in dark mode

The whiteboard-like simple interface of the draw.io board macro also uses dark mode automatically when you have enabled Dark theme in Confluence DC 9.0.
Dark mode is used for the draw.io board editor automatically when you use Dark theme inConfluence DC 9.0

Switch to light mode

To edit a diagram in light mode, change your Confluence Theme to Light first. Select your user icon in the top right, then select Theme > Light from the menu.
To edit a diagram in light mode, switch your Confluence theme to light mode first.

Search for diagrams with OpenSearch​

The new integration of OpenSearch will find draw.io diagrams in the same way the built-in Confluence search does - your diagrams are fully searchable via the Confluence search.

draw.io provides the file names and diagram label text to the Confluence search index used by both the built-in basic and advanced search functionality and OpenSearch.

See how searching for diagrams in Confluence Cloud and Data Center works and compare it with other diagramming tools.

FilenameLabel text
Search for a diagram filename in Confluence ServerSearch for label text inside a diagram in Confluence Server

To set up your Confluence DC 9.0 instance to use the new optional search integration, please refer to Atlassian's OpenSearch documentation.

See all the security and usability updates available in Confluence DC 9.0.

Mermaid in draw.io updated to support ELK layout

· 6 min read

Mermaid is a text-based syntax that you can use to describe a diagram, and automatically lay it out neatly on the diagram canvas. Enter your Mermaid diagram description in draw.io via Arrange > Insert > Mermaid in the draw.io menu or + > Mermaid from the toolbar. draw.io has updated to Mermaid version 10.9.1 to support the new ELK automatic layout.
Tell the Mermaid diagram generation tool to use the ELK layout option in your text diagram description

Text to diagram tools in draw.io​

There are several text-to-diagram tools built into draw.io:

Paste the Mermaid syntax text version of your diagram and Insert it onto the draw.io canvas An example Gantt chart inserted from Mermaid code
Example Gantt chart generated from Mermaid syntax

Some of these text-to-diagram features generate a diagram as an image on the drawing canvas, and some use draw.io shapes to automatically layout your diagram and let you continue styling and dding draw.io shapes and connectors to it.

You can choose your preferred output when you generate a diagram from Mermaid syntax. By default, your Mermaid diagram will be generated and layed out inside a Mermaid container group using draw.io shapes and connectors.

You can style the shapes, connectors and text in this container group, edit the Mermaid source, and the draw.io styles will be reapplied to any elements that continue to exist. However, any geometry changes (resize, reposition, connector arrow ends) will be reset if you edit the Mermaid source.

Insert a Mermaid diagram in draw.io​

An example coffee machine debugging flow is described in Mermaid syntax below.

flowchart TD
A(Coffee machine <br />not working) --> B{Machine has power?}
B -->|No| H(Plug in and turn on)
B -->|Yes| C{Out of beans or water?} -->|Yes| G(Refill beans and water)
C -->|No| D{Filter warning?} -->|Yes| I(Replace or clean filter)
D -->|No| F(Send for repair)

Add this Mermaid diagram to draw.io.

  1. Select Arrange > Insert > Mermaid from the menu or + > Mermaid from the toolbar if you are using the Simple mode or the Sketch editor theme.
    Click Arrange /> Insert > Mermaid to create a diagram from Mermaid Markdown-inspired code
  2. Enter the text description of your diagram using Mermaid syntax in the large text box.
  3. From the drop-down list, select whether you want to insert the diagram with draw.io shapes (Diagram), or as a single SVG image (Image), and click Insert.
    Paste the text in Mermaid syntax, then click Insert

Please refer to the Mermaid documentation for the complete syntax and styling options.

New ELK layouts for large flowcharts​

The new ELK layout option, introduced in Mermaid version 9.4, can generate compacter versions of large and complex flowcharts.

Add the following renderer directive to the top your Mermaid diagram text description:

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"defaultRenderer": "elk"}} }%%

For example, to layout the example Mermaid graph shown above with the ELK renderer initialisation command, the insert Mermaid dialog looks as follows.
Tell the Mermaid diagram generation tool to use the ELK layout option in your text diagram description

Click Insert, and the Mermaid diagram will be generated ad drawn with draw.io shapes.
The ELK layout may be more suited for larger and more complex flows

While this example is small and simple, larger flows with complex decisions and many branches may be displayed better using this ELK renderer option.

Note: As this is an experimental feature from the Mermaid developers, it currently only supports the flowchart layout.

See more about configuring the Mermaid layout engine

Large Mermaid flowchart with and without ELK​

Below, one of the more complex draw.io flowchart templates has described in text using Mermaid syntax and inserted as an image. The more compact version on the left used the new ELK renderer directive, and the one on the right did not.

The ELK layout may be more suited for larger and more complex flows

With the ELK renderer directive, the Mermaid code for this flowchart looks as follows.

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"defaultRenderer": "elk"}} }%%

graph TD
A[\Replenish Value Add stock/] --->C
B(Order product with Value Add) --->C
C{Frequent process?} --->|Yes|D
C --->|No|F
D{New template?} --->|Yes|E
D --->|No|G
E(Create work order template) --->G
F(Create work order) --->H
G(Copy template to work order) --->I
H(Add materials to work order processes) --->J
I(Adjust material quantities) --->J
J(Monitor work orders) --->K
K{Material quantities in stock?} --->|No|L
K --->|Yes|M
L(Procure materials) --->M
M(Change status to In Progress) --->N
N{External Vendor to perform step?} --->|Yes|O
N --->|No|P
O(Add vendor costs) --->Q
P[\Perform work order step/] --->R
Q([Ship materials to Vendor]) --->S --->X
R{Additional processing required?} --->|Yes|N
R--->|No|T
S[\Perform work order step/] --->U
T(Receive final stock) --->V
U(Receive product from vendor) --->W
V(Ship product on order) --->Y
W{Partial quantity received?} --->|Yes|X
W --->|No|Z
X[Create work order backorder] ---> J
Y(Change status to complete) --->AA
Z(Pay vendor invoice) --->R
AA([Finish])

Privacy policy updates

· 3 min read

Data security and privacy are central to our draw.io diagramming tool - using our application platform, your diagram data storage means saving and loading is direct between your browser and whichever location your choose to save your diagram file. We don't allow your diagram data to be stored on our servers.

We take the same privacy and security focused approach to non-diagram data too here at JGraph - we don't use cookies or tracking pixels on our website.

Of course, if you contact us here at JGraph for support via GitHub, Google Groups, or one of our social channels, we will have your contact details - necessary to resolve your query.

In our updated privacy policy, we have now clarified that we will not send you any marketing communication using your details or data. We will also not share your personal data with any third-party company for marketing purposes.

Note: The draw.io app listings in the Atlassian Marketplace for Confluence and Jira are managed by Seibert Group GmbH, and therefore are governed by their privacy policy.

Use draw.io Desktop to diagram offline​

Our draw.io desktop app runs fully offline on your local device, and your diagram data stays on your local device. The only external communications from the software are to check for application updates.

draw.io runs on Windows, macOS and Linux - download the draw.io Desktop installer for your operating system.

Configure data transmission lockdown​

Set "lockdown": true in the editor configuration. Lockdown options only apply to cloud-based draw.io versions.

This will disable data transmission apart from directly between your browser where you are editing your diagram, and the cloud platform or location you have chosen to store the diagram file.

  1. In the online version of draw.io at app.diagrams.net, select Extras > Configuration in classic mode, ... > Settings > Configuration in Simple mode or the Sketch editor theme to open the configuration.
  2. Enter the "lockdown": true JSON string and click Apply.

In the draw.io app for Confluence Cloud (advanced edition only), go to the administration area, then the draw.io Configuration tab. Add "lockdown": true to the UI Configuration, and click Save changes.
Configure draw.io for Confluence Cloud to lock down your diagram data to match your Atlassian data residency settings

Note: There are few functions that use the draw.io servers to perform operations that browsers are not capable of, including to generate a PDF version of your diagram, and import a diagram file in .gliffy format. These functions won't be available if you lockdown data transmission.

Learn more about configuring the draw.io diagram editor

Collaborative editing in draw.io in Confluence DC

· 4 min read

Collaborative editing has long been possible in draw.io for Confluence Cloud. From the draw.io for Confluence DC release 13.0, you and your team will be able to edit the same diagram and see each other's changes.
Collaborative editing is available in draw.io for Confluence DC (version 8.x)

Collaborative editing works in both the draw.io Diagram macro and the draw.io Board macro in Confluence DC. Note the collaboration isn't real-time, we need to ensure a slower update rate is stable and causes no performance issues in the first release.

Real-time multi-user diagramming​

Just like in draw.io for Confluence Cloud, the new collaborative editing feature in draw.io for Confluence DC uses the built-in auto-save feature.

  1. When you make a change to a draw.io diagram - add, style, or delete shapes, text and connectors, the diagram will be automatically saved to the Confluence page attachments.
  2. The draw.io diagram editor regularly polls the Confluence DC instance to see if any changes were made by other users, then loads these changes into your editor.

You don't need to manually save or synchronise the diagrams - changes will automatically appear in the draw.io editor for everyone editing the diagram.

No shared cursors?

As Confluence DC is not a cloud service with web sockets, there is no way to share and synchronise users' cursors as they work inside the diagram editor.

You can still make gestures on the diagram with the freehand brush to discuss a draw.io diagram in online meetings with your team - the freehand shape will appear in the other users' draw.io editor shortly after you draw it.

Collaborative editing is available in draw.io for Confluence DC (version 8.x)

Changes are merged from multiple users​

If several users add shapes to the same location on a diagram, draw.io will take all those shapes and simply overlap them.

If one user adds and connects a new shape to an existing shape, but another user deletes the existing shape, both user's changes are saved:

  • The child shape will appear to stand alone as its parent was deleted.
  • The existing parent shape and any connectors from it to new shapes added by other users will be deleted.

This is the same process followed by the collaborative editing function in draw.io for Confluence Cloud.

Because draw.io merges all the changes made to a diagram, and does not overwrite the attachment with the most recent saved state from one user, you won't lose any data when you are editing a diagram as a team.

Change the synchronisation speed and auto-save interval​

If your Confluence DC users find that changes appear in diagrams they are editing together too slowly, an administrator can increase the polling speed in the draw.io app configuration, by specifying the number of seconds between each poll in the Add-on Configuration field.

Also, you can shorten the time between auto-saving the diagram. A shorter interval will mean more attachment versions of diagrams will be created and added to a Confluence page.

  1. Go to the administration area of your Confluence DC instance.
  2. Go to the Configuration tab in the draw.io Add-on Configuration section.
  3. Add the following lines to the Add-on Configuration text field: pollingInterval=10000 and maxAutosaveDelay=5000
  4. Click Save changes to update the draw.io configuration.
    Set a faster polling interval for collaborative editing in Confluence DC 8.x via the app configuration in your Confluence administration

In the example above, we have set the polling interval to 10 seconds (which is 10,000 milliseconds).

Note: If you collaborate on extremely large and complex diagrams, you may need to set a longer polling interval.

See how to configure the draw.io editor for Confluence DC

High contrast mode in draw.io

· 4 min read

The new high contrast mode is available in draw.io: High Contrast makes the editor interface easier to read without adjusting your monitor's contrast settings, similar to the accessibility options in your operating system.
High contrast simplifies the draw.io editor interface so that it is easier to read, and improve contrast updates the colours in dark mode to make diagrams easier to see on a dark background

High contrast mode simplifies and removes non-essential backgrounds and increases the definition between interface elements by adding clear outlines. You may find it is easier to read text and it can reduce eye strain.

High Contrast mode​

Choose Settings > Appearance > High Contrast from the draw.io menu.

When you enable high contrast modes or themes in your operating system, the range of colours in the interface is reduced and visual elements are simplified. Panels, tools, buttons, and toolbars have simpler backgrounds (white in light mode, black in dark mode), with a clear outline to better separate the various parts of the application's interface.

In the draw.io editor, High Contrast mode works in the same way.

  • Panel backgrounds are simplified to off-white (light mode) or nearly black (dark mode).
  • Text labels, shapes, and tools that were previously grey are clearer - black (light mode) or white (dark mode).
  • Strong contrasting outlines are added around buttons, between the shape libraries, around the format panel tabs and other elements in the editor interface: a crisp white outline in dark mode, and a black outline in light mode.

The default dark mode is on the left in the screenshot below, and High Contrast mode on the right.
High contrast works on all of the draw.io editor themes and in both dark and light mode

High contrast mode works with all draw.io themes in both dark and light mode, including the Sketch online whiteboard theme.
High contrast works on all of the draw.io editor themes

Better colours for dark mode​

Dark mode is often used to reduce eye strain - with draw.io you can diagram in dark mode using any of our editor themes (click the sun/moon icon in the top right and select the mode you want to use. Alternatively, select Settings > Appearance > Dark Mode from the menu).

A while back, we updated colours automatically change when working with draw.io in dark mode, but continue to use the light mode palette as the default. When you switch to dark mode, by default, shapes, connectors and text change intensity to ensure an improved contrast that remains readable.

  • To disable adaptive colours for light and dark mode, open the draw.io configuration via Extras > Configuration or Settings > Configuration. Search for adaptive, and set the Adaptive Colors in the Appearance section to none.
    Set the Adaptive Colors in the draw.io editor Configuration to none to disable them

  • If you want only the black and white parts of your diagram to invert in dark or light mode, set Adaptive Colors in the Editor tab of the Configuration dialog to simple.

  • If you want to choose specific dark mode colours for shapes, connectors and text instead of using an automatic adaptive colour, add the dark mode colour for that shape in the colour palette under Advanced.

draw.io in Confluence DC - full version support and regular updates

· 4 min read

The draw.io app for Confluence Data Center provides you with a secure and fully featured diagramming tool for visual documentation, along with a simpler whiteboard macro that also includes everything you need to draw complex technical diagrams.

Works on all supported DC versions​

draw.io works on all supported versions of Confluence Data Center, 7.x and later.

Regular updates are released for all supported DC versions, such as updated technical icon sets (shape libraries), new and improved features, and of course bug fixes and optimisations.
The draw.io desktop app has all the same shape libraries and tools as draw.io in Confluence DC - collaborate securely with your external partners using our offline app

Focused on security​

While many organisations have opted to move to Confluence Cloud now that Confluence Server has reached its end of life, you may have found that Confluence Data Center is a better fit for your needs, especially if you are in a regulated industry like finance or healthcare.

draw.io is engineered differently to other diagramming apps - we take data security seriously so you can keep your diagram data secure. We participate in Atlassian's bug bounty program and release regular updates for all supported versions of Data Center.

Secure desktop app for external partners​

When you do need to collaborate confidentially with external partners, your partners can edit draw.io diagram files securely with the free draw.io desktop app, which keeps the diagram data isolated on their computer. The desktop app has the same shape libraries, templates, and tools, and is designed to work fully offline on Windows, macOS and Linux.
The draw.io desktop app has all the same shape libraries and tools as draw.io in Confluence DC - collaborate securely with your external partners using our offline app

Technical diagrams plus an online whiteboard​

draw.io has a wide range of shape libraries with up-to-date icon sets, and a large collection of templates for many different types of technical diagrams.

Even when using the simple draw.io board macro in Confluence, you have access to all the shape libraries, features, and tools. You can use draw.io in meetings and for brainstorming, as well as to document your complex infrastructures and business procedures in great detail.
Access all the technical diagramming shape libraries, templates and tools via + in the toolbar in the draw.io macro for Confluence DC

Migration and import tools​

If you choose at some point to migrate to Cloud from DC/Server, to maintain diagram links and embedded diagrams you must use the PageID export/import method.

draw.io makes it easy to migrate and import from other diagramming tools in Confluence DC.

Configure the diagram editor and draw.io settings​

As an administrator, you can configure the draw.io backend in Confluence Data Center via the app administration and set up custom diagram templates and shape libraries.

If your technical diagramming team always use a set palette of colours or shape styles, you can also configure this for everyone in your instance.
Configure default colours and styles in the draw.io configuration in Confluence Data Center for all users in your instance

draw.io is sponsoring FOSDEM 2024

· 2 min read

We are proud to be be once again sponsoring the popular FOSDEM two-day event for open source software, held at the Université Libre de Bruxelles Solbosch Campus in Brussels, Belgium on 3-4 February 2024. There is no registration and the event is free to attend.

draw.io is sponsoring the FOSDEM'24 conference for open source developers

FOSDEM is organised by a large team of volunteers, and provides a space for open source software developers and users to meet, share ideas, and collaborate on open source projects.

If you would like to join a developer room at FOSDEM'24, keep an eye on list of developers that will be calling for participation shortly and the FOSDEM'24 schedule as speakers and projects are confirmed.

FOSDEM: hundreds of open source speakers and events

With well over 5000 developers and speakers attending from all over the world, it’s easily one of the largest events for open source projects.

As usual, there will be a wide variety of presentations by speakers across several tracks, along with keynotes, developer rooms and hacking sessions, lightning talks, project stands with demos and merchandise, and open discussions. You can attend as few or as many activities as you like for free - just turn up on the day.

Unlike previous events, no certification exams are planned for this year. There will be an area for recruiting and job opportunities for open source positions, and several related fringe events that you may be interested in attending.

Diagramming for everyone​

We greatly appreciate our community of developers, bug reporters, translators, contributors and sponsors, as well as the developers of the open source projects that we sponsor directly.

As one of the world’s most widely used browser-based diagramming applications, draw.io can be used online, as a desktop app, deployed locally in a variety of formats. Plus, there is an increasing number of third-party integrations, where developers have embedded our diagram editor into their content and project management tools.

Swap and replace shapes and connectors

· 3 min read

You can swap shapes on the drawing canvas in draw.io via the Arrange tab of the format panel, or by dropping a new shape from the shape libraries on top of an existing shape. You can also reverse the arrows on a connector easily via the Arrange tab.

Select two shapes, go to the Arrange tab of the format panel and click Swap

Connectors to and from a swapped shape will move with it, staying attached and automatically updating its path.

If you want to swap the direction of the connector as well, select the connector after you swap the shapes, then click Reverse on the Arrange tab of the format panel.

Hold down shift and drag one shape over another shape to swap them

Replace an existing shape with a different shape​

Drag a shape from the shape libraries and hover over an existing shape on the drawing canvas until the replace symbol appears, then drop the shape.
Drag a new shape from the shape library in draw.io and drop it onto an existing shape to replace it

Alternatively, double-click on an empty spot on the drawing canvas to open the quick selection box and drag a shape from there over an existing shape, and drop it when the replace symbol appears.
Drag a new shape from the shape library in draw.io and drop it onto an existing shape to replace it

Do more with shapes in draw.io​

There are many more ways you can quickly work with shapes in draw.io. Use these FAQs, tutorials and blog posts to learn how to diagram faster and easier.

Work faster with shape libraries using keyboard shortcuts, and use keyboard + mouse modifier shortcuts to work with shapes faster on the drawing canvas.

Use the Arrange tab tools on shapes and connectors - move shapes forwards and backwards, group multiple shapes, resize shapes and groups of shapes, reposition shapes, rotate shapes and groups of shapes, and work with connector waypoints to perfectly path your connectors.

Style shapes using the Style tab in the format panel. The styles that are available will depend on the shapes you have selected.

See how you can modify the shape properties in the Style tab of a selected shape to turn a shape into a container, change the perimeter, disallow connectors, prevent it from being deleted or clones, and much more. Select a shape and click on Properties at the bottom of the style tab.
Drag a new shape from the shape library in draw.io and drop it onto an existing shape to replace it

And finally, print out these draw.io keyboard shortcuts for easy reference.

New keyboard shortcuts in draw.io

· 3 min read

As new features are added to draw.io and the menu is refined, new keyboard shortcuts are also built into the editor. Here are some of the new and useful shortcuts for diagramming in draw.io.

Move selected remote shapes and connectors​

Select the shapes and connectors you want to move, then hold Shift+Alt+drag and drag the cursor to reposition the selection even if it is not currently under the cursor.
Press Shift+Alt and drag the cursor to move a selected shape, even if your cursor is not over that shape

Increase/decrease font size​

Select a shape or connector or label, and press Ctrl+Shift +/- (NumPad) to increase or decrease the text size. This only works with the + and - keys on the number pad.
Press Ctrl+Shift +/- Numpad to increase or decrease the text size of a selected shape or connector label

Increase/decrease shape size​

Select a shape, and press Ctrl+Shift+arrow key to increase or decrease the right or lower edge of the shape.
Press Ctrl+Shift+arrow key to increase or decrease the size of the selected shape

Clear all extra waypoints on a connector​

Select a connector and press Alt+Shift+R to reset the waypoints back to the default path.
Press Alt+Shift+R to reset the waypoints of a selected connector

More keyboard shortcuts in draw.io​

There are many other mouse + keyboard shortcut combinations in draw.io to help you diagram faster, as well as many other key combinations.

Next time you go through the draw.io menu, or right-click and open the context menu, check and see if there is a keyboard shortcut next to the command you want to use.
There are many keyboard shortcuts available in draw.io

Here's a one-page reference sheet that you can print out containing the most common and useful keyboard shortcuts in draw.io.

Shortcuts available in the draw.io diagramming apps

Updates to draw.io dark mode diagrams improve readability

· 6 min read

draw.io is one of very few diagram editors that lets you work in dark mode. Colours of shapes, text and connectors change automatically when you switch between light and dark modes. Now with adaptive colours, instead of changing the hue, all colours in a diagram will remain the same hue in both modes, but their intensity will be altered to significantly improve readability in dark mode.
The new and improved dark mode makes diagrams much more readable on a dark drawing canvas after switching colour intensity automatically

Switch to dark mode in the draw.io editor​

Click on the sun icon in the top right and select Dark to change to dark mode. Alternatively, from the draw.io menu select Settings > Appearance > Dark.
Click on the sun/moon in the top right and switch between any of the four editor themes and the simple mode, as well as between dark and light modes

To switch back, click on the moon icon and select Light, or Settings > Appearance > Light from the menu.

Tip: Choose Automatic if you want the editor to reflect your operating system or browser mode.

Dark mode is available in draw.io Desktop, our free online editor at app.diagrams.net, and in integrations such as the unofficial draw.io extension for VSCode, and the draw.io Chrome extension for Notion.

Dark is available in draw.io for Confluence Cloud and Jira Cloud, and diagram thumbnails and the draw.io editor will switch modes automatically when you switch between dark and light themes in Confluence or Jira.

Light and dark colours in draw.io​

All colours in a diagram - shapes, text, connectors and the drawing canvas background colour - now have their intensity changed when you switch modes.

This makes sure that text that is readable and connectors that are visible in one mode, are just as legible in the other mode.

All of the style palette colours (in the Style tab of the format panel), and the global diagram styles are changed to reflect the mode you are working in.

Light mode palette colours
All the colours of the Style tab palettes and the global style in light mode in draw.io

Dark mode palette colours
All the colours of the Style tab palettes and the global style in dark mode in draw.io

Set specific colours for light and dark mode​

  1. Select a shape or connector, and click on the Fill or Line colour block in the Style tab of the format panel. For text colour, select the colour block in the Text tab of the format panel.
  2. The first value (default) is for light mode. Change this to a new hex colour code.
    By default, this will automatically shift hues to remain readable when someone views or edits the diagram in dark mode.
  3. Expand Advanced and enter a hex colour code for dark mode. Now, when you are in dark mode, the shape or connector will use this defined colour value instead of an automatic shifted hue.

Exporting diagrams from dark mode​

When you export a diagram to an image, you can select Dark in the Appearance list. Your diagram will be saved over a dark background in the exported image.
Make sure to leave the Dark checkbox enabled when exporting a diagram as an image from the Dark editor theme

When you export a diagram to a PDF, HTML file, draw.io file or URL, or export to a light-mode image, the diagram will be displayed on a light background with the light colour palette.

Colours in existing diagrams​

It is assumed when using dark mode that all diagrams have been created in light mode. As this is by far the most common case, it will ensure the colour intensity change when switching to dark mode will be correct, and your diagram readable.

Note: The mode colour intensity change is a CSS filter - this does not change the colours in your diagram data.

Diagrams not using the right colours?​

If you drew a diagram in dark mode and set specific colours to suit the dark background, when you re-open that diagram in the most recent version of the editor, the colours will not be as you originally set.

This is because the algorithm for converting light-mode colour intensity to dark mode is applied to all colours in a diagram when using dark mode. This will affect a minority of users - not many have been using dark mode exclusively to diagram.

You can continue using the old dark mode and your customised diagram colours

  1. Open the draw.io configuration (Settings > Configuration or Extras > Configuration via the draw.io menu)
  2. Search for css in the Editor tab.
  3. Set the CSS Dark Mode toggle to Off and click Apply.
    Enable CSS dark mode to use the old system if you have customised colours in diagrams specifically for dark mode

The JSON configuration string will be updated to reflect this.

{
"enableCssDarkMode": false
}

Then, reload the tab or restart draw.io Desktop to load the new configuration. The colours in the diagrams you had customised for dark mode will now look as expected.

For more information, please visit the related discussion in our draw.io GitHub repository.

draw.io automatically applies your Jira Cloud theme to diagram thumbnails

· 4 min read

Atlassian has just released a dark theme for Jira Cloud for users who don't like working on light backgrounds. With Jira's new dark theme, draw.io diagram thumbnails in a Jira issue now automatically reflect your selected theme.
draw.io automatically changes the colours in your diagrams to match your Jira Cloud dark or light theme

draw.io has had a dark mode for some time, but diagrams attached to Jira issues displayed on a light background, whether or not you were using the dark mode in the draw.io editor.

Learn more about diagramming with draw.io in Jira

Diagrams on dark backgrounds​

draw.io makes an intelligent guess about text and shape fill colours to keep your diagrams readable when you switch between dark and light.

As your team members can use their preferred dark or light theme, and the diagram thumbnail will match their theme, it's best to double check that your diagram is easy to read in both dark and light mode.

  1. Click on the Edit pencil in the toolbar when you hover over diagram thumbnail in a Jira issue to edit it with draw.io. If you don't see this section, click on the draw.io section at the top.
    Click on the edit button when hovering over a diagram in a Jira issue to open it in draw.io
  2. Click on the sun or moon in the top right to switch to the opposite theme - either Dark or Light_ - and check that your diagram is still readable on that background.
    Click on the sun or moon in the top right of the draw.io editor to change the editor mode to dark or light

Choose Automatic to make the draw.io editor automatically match your operating system's mode (dark mode or light mode).

Note: Switching to dark or light mode in the draw.io editor will not affect the thumbnail on the Jira issue - whether it appears on a dark or light background is based on the Jira theme that the user looking at the issue has chosen.

To use draw.io in dark mode on the web, go to app.diagrams.net/?splash=0&ui=dark, or switch modes via the sun/moon icon in the top right or via the draw.io menu.

Set specific colours in a diagram​

Colours in certain types of diagrams may have specific meanings - if you change their colours when adapting to dark mode, the diagram might not make sense.

If you want your diagram to only ever be on a dark or a light background and not automatically adapt colours to match the user's Jira Cloud theme, you'll need to set a background colour, as well as a specific colours for both light and dark modes on the shapes, connectors and text in your diagram.

  1. Open the diagram from the Jira issue in the draw.io editor.
  2. Make sure nothing is selected in your diagram, then enable the Background checkbox in the Diagram tab in the format panel.
  3. Click on the colour button, select a colour from the palette or enter a colour code, and click Apply. Open the Advanced drop down and set the same colour as the dark mode background colour.
    Adding a diagram background ensures your diagram looks the same in both Jira's light and dark themes
  4. Style the shapes and connectors via the Fill and Line colours in the Style tab. Make sure you set both the light colour at the top, and the dark mode colour (under Advanced). Style all text labels via the Text tab.

Now, your diagram will use your defined colours in both dark and light mode.
Adding a diagram background ensures your diagram looks the same in both Jira's light and dark themes