Canvas
| Action | Keystrokes |
|---|
| Grid (toggle) | Ctrl + Shift + G |
| Move drawing area | Space + drag mouse |
| Zoom | Alt + scroll wheel |
Connectors
| Action | Keystrokes |
|---|
| Clone connectors | Ctrl + Select connector’s endpoint + Drag |
| Connect to a point within the shape | Drag > hold Alt > Release mouse button at destination |
| Add another Waypoint to connector | Right-click connector > Add Waypoint |
Connections
Floating connections connect to the frame of a shape. This is the default when creating new connectors.
When a shape with a floating connection is moved, the connection relocates and the line is kept simple.
Fixed connections connect to a specific point on a shape.
| Action | Keystrokes |
|---|
| Create floating connection | Start a connection > Drag to inside of target shape |
| Create fixed connection | Start a connection > Drag to green circle or green frame of target shape |
| Change from floating to fixed connection | Drag connection away from shape a bit > Select it again > Drag until green circle or frame appears around shape |
Layers
The default layer is “Background.” It is always visible. The order of layers affects some shape and connector effects:
- Line jumps only work for the layer on top.
Layer Panel
When a shape is selected, the layer it is on is indicated by a black dot in the layer panel.
| Action | Keystrokes |
|---|
| Add a layer | View > Layers > ➕ |
| Duplicate layers | View > Layers > Select layer > Duplicate |
| Disable editing for all shapes on this layer | View > Layers > 🔒 |
| Move shapes between layers | Select the shapes > ⋯ > Move Selection |
| Show/hide all shapes on this layer | View > Layers > 👁 |
Placeholders (predefined)
Add a property globally to the page:
- Make sure nothing is selected
- Diagram > Edit Data
- Add the property > Apply
- Select the shape that should use the property > Edit > Edit Data > check Placeholders
- In the shape, type
%placeholder%
Add a property to a specific shape:
- Right-click shape > Edit > Edit Data
- ID:
%placeholder% - Check Placeholders
- In the text field of the shape, enter
%placeholder%
| Placeholder | Description |
|---|
| %id% | Prints the ID of a shape or connector. |
| %date% | Prints the current date using the system locale. |
| %time% | Prints the current time using the system locale. |
| %timestamp% | Prints a timestamp using the system locale. |
| %date{yyyy-mm-dd}% | Prints a timestamp using a custom format. |
| %pagenumber% | Prints the page number of the current page. |
| %pagecount% | Prints the total number of pages. |
| %page% | Prints the title of the current page. |
| %filename% | Prints the name of the file. |
Selecting
| Action | Keystrokes |
|---|
| Select all connectors | Ctrl + Shift + E |
| Select all shapes | Ctrl + Shift + I |
| Select next/previous shape | Tab or Shift + Tab |
| Select parent Shape | Shift + Alt + P |
| Select shape/connector underneath | Hold Alt + Click on shape to select next lower shape |
| Select all intersecting shapes (not juse those fully in selection box) | Alt + Drag |
Shapes
| Action | Keystrokes |
|---|
| Aligning | Select multiple shapes > Format panel > Arrange > Align |
| Clone shape with connectors | Select shape > Alt + Shift + Arrow |
| Change shape after cloning | Release Alt > Click new shape |
| Copy style of one shape to another | Style tab > Copy Style and Paste Style |
| Flip shapes | Select shape > Format panel » Arrange tab > Flip |
| Group Shapes | Ctrl + G |
| Ungroup Shapes | Ctrl + Shift + U |
| Replace shape | Drag new shape over existing until the blue/black conversion symbol is shown |
| Replace multiple shapes | Select all shapes to be replaced > Drag new shape over one of the shapes |
| Insert a new connected shape | Hover over the shape > Click blue arrow > Select new shape |
| Delete a shape and the connected leading to it | Ctrl + Backspace |
| Add a hyperlink to a Shape > Right-click | Edit Link > Web Link |
Swimlane Diagrams
| Action | Keystrokes |
|---|
| Add a swimlane | Hover over the last lane > Click the blue arrow |
| Move a swimlane to another position | Drag the swimlane slightly to the right > Hold Alt > Drag to desired location |
| Select the entire pool | Click a lane > Click again |