Insert shapes, links, templates and more in diagrams.net

Use the Arrange > Insert submenu in the diagrams.net 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 diagrams.net

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 diagrams.net

What can you insert into a diagram?

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 diagrams.net

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 diagrams.net

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 diagrams.net

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

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

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

Layouts: Select Arrange > Insert > Layout, select the style of diagram layout you want to use, build the diagram in the dialog, and 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 diagrams.net

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 at app.diagrams.net

PlantUML and Mermaid diagrams: Select Arrange > Insert > Advanced, then select PlantUML or Mermaid. Enter the PlantUML or Mermaid code in the dialog, then click Insert to automatically generate a UML diagram or flow chart and insert it on the drawing canvas.
Paste the text in Mermaid syntax, then click Insert A flow chart example from Mermaid syntax

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 diagrams.net 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