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Menus in draw.io

The menu in draw.io works in the same way as other applications.

Depending on what editor theme you are using and what you have selected in your diagram, some menu entries may be hidden or not be selectable. For example, you can't edit a shape's style if you haven't selected a shape.

In the Classic and Atlas editor themes, the following menus are visible above the drawing canvas.

  • File - work with the diagram files (new, open, import/export, and print), as well as to open or custom create shape libraries.
  • Edit - select and edit the shapes and connectors in your diagram and their styles.
  • View - hide or display the various panels and helper tools in the draw.io editor including the scratchpad, layers, ruler and more.
  • Arrange - group and organise shapes and connectors, use the automatic layout features, generate a diagram or from Mermaid code, insert images and other diagram elements, and more. Learn more about the Arrange > Insert menu and the Arrange > Layout menu.
  • Extras - enable a different editor theme, use math typesetting, enable/disable the start screen and autosave, and work with tags or add a custom configuration.
  • Help - see the keyboard shortcuts, view support information or download the desktop version of draw.io.
The menus are above the drawing canvas and under + in the toolbar in the Classic editor theme in draw.io

Tip: Next to the menu or in the top right corner is typically a status message showing when there are unsaved edits or if your diagram has been autosaved.

The draw.io editor themes have different toolbar and menu locations.

Classic editor theme​

In the Classic editor theme (above), the menus are in the usual place above the drawing canvas. Many of the insert and arrange tools are also under + on the toolbar. Show and hide panels with the View tool at the left end of the toolbar.

Simple editor theme​

In the Simple editor theme, the menus are via the three horizontal dots, or via the + on the toolbar, and the View tool to the left of the toolbar.

The menus are via the ... and + in the toolbar in the Simple editor theme in draw.io

Minimal editor theme​

In the Minimal editor theme, there is no toolbar. The menus and tools are all via the menus in the top left, mostly Diagram and Insert.

The menus are via the buttons in the top left - Diagram and Insert - in the Minimal editor theme in draw.io

Sketch editor theme​

In the online whiteboard-style Sketch editor theme, The menus are via the horizontal bars in the top left, and the + in the toolbar on the left of the drawing canvas.

The menus are via the horizontal bar button in the top left and the + in the toolbar in the Sketch editor theme in draw.io