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Arrange > Insert menu in draw.io

Use the Arrange > Insert submenu in the draw.io editor to insert various types of shapes and text elements onto the drawing canvas.

You can insert a wide range of shapes, text, links, layouts, images, templates and more via the Arrange /> Insert menu in draw.io

Alternatively, you can access the Insert tool (+) via the toolbar that is just above the drawing canvas.

You can insert a wide range of shapes, text, links, layouts, images, templates and more via the Insert tool on the toolbar in draw.io

Basic shapes​

Select Arrange > Insert then select Rectangle, Ellipse or Rhombus to insert that shape.
You can insert rectangle, ellipse, and rhombus shapes via the Arrange /> Insert menu in draw.io

Line or note​

Select Arrange > Insert then select Line or Note to insert a connector with an arrow at one end or a sticky note shape.
You can insert connectors and sticky note shapes via the Arrange /> Insert menu in draw.io

Text or links​

Select Arrange > Insert then select Text or Link to insert a text shape, or a rectangle with a link.
You can insert a text shape and a link in a rectangle via the Arrange /> Insert menu in draw.io

Images​

Select Arrange > Insert > Image then add the URL to your image or drag it onto the dialog and click Apply.
Paste the URL to your image file, or drag it onto the dialog and click Apply to add an image to your diagram

Custom shapes​

Select Arrange > Insert > Shape then enter the XML that defines the geometry and style of your custom shape.
A complex custom shape and its code, created in draw.io

Draw a polygon shape​

Select Arrange > Insert > Polygon to open a dialog where you can draw your own polygon shape.
Draw a custom polygon shape in draw.io via Arrange > Insert Polygon

Templates​

Select Arrange > Insert > Template, then select a template from the library, and click Insert to add it to the drawing canvas.
Select a template to insert into your diagram

Mermaid diagrams​

Select Arrange > Insert > Mermaid. Enter the text description of your diagram in Mermaid syntax in the dialog, then click Insert to automatically generate diagram using draw.io shapes (Diagram) or as an SVG image (Image) and insert it on the drawing canvas.
Paste the text in Mermaid syntax, then click Insert A flow chart example from Mermaid syntax

Freehand shapes​

Select Arrange > Insert > Freehand, draw your freehand shape with your mouse, or pen/finger on a mobile device, and style it as you would any other shape.
Use the freehand drawing tool in a draw.io Board diagram to markup diagrams or draw shapes with your mouse

Generated diagram​

Select Arrange > Insert > Generate or click on Generate in the toolbar to open a dialog where you can describe your diagram in text and generate a template diagram.
The new generate diagram tool

Layouts​

  1. Select Arrange > Insert > Layout to open the layouts dialog.
  2. Select the style of diagram layout you want to use, build the diagram in the dialog.
  3. Click Insert to add it to the drawing canvas.

The layout tool will automatically rearrange the shapes in your diagram as you add them, keeping the spacing even and neat.
Quickly click together a horizontal flow in draw.io

Diagrams from text​

Select Arrange > Insert > Advanced > Text, enter text that represents a simple tree diagram or entities containing simple lists in the text field, select the type of diagram you want from the drop down list at the bottom of the dialog, then click Insert.
Insert text to create a tree diagram A diagram automatically created from text in draw.io

Diagrams from PlantUML​

Select Arrange > Insert > Advanced > PlantUML, describe your diagram in PlantUML and click Insert to add it to the drawing canvas.
Insert PlantUML to generate a diagram in draw.io via Arrange > Insert > Advanced > PlantUML
Note: This feature is currently under active development.

Database entities from SQL code​

Select Arrange > Insert > Advanced > SQL, add the SQL code in the text field, then click Insert to add the entities to the drawing canvas.
Insert SQL code then click Insert to create an ER diagram automatically Entity shapes are automatically created based on your SQL code

Diagrams from specially formatted CSV data​

Select Arrange > Insert > Advanced > CSV, past the draw.io formatting and CSV data over the example in the text field, then click Import to automatically generate a diagram and insert it on the drawing canvas.
Paste your formatting information and CSV data into the large text field, then click Import The org chart generated from the example formatting information and CSV data in the Arrange /> Insert > Advanced > CSV dialog