Draw.io: Creating diagrams with ease for free
Draw.io is a free, open-source Windows app that lets you create offline or online diagrams. You can save or import them to other apps or your program, depending on the type of chart. You can also collaborate with others towards more effective workflows.
Draw.io features and integrations
At the heart of Draw.io lies a robust set of features and integrations, making it a go-to choice for a myriad of use cases. Let's delve into the key aspects that set Draw.io apart:
Google Workplace and Google Drive
- Draw.io effortlessly syncs with Google Drive and Google Workplace (G Suite).
- The integration extends to add-ons for Docs, Sheets, and Slides, enhancing productivity in Google's ecosystem.
Sharepoint and OneDrive
- Seamless integration with OneDrive and Sharepoint.
- Office 365 and Microsoft Teams users benefit from a tighter integration for a smoother workflow.
Atlassian
- Positioned as the highest-rated Confluence app, Draw.io is a trusted solution for Atlassian users.
- The availability of Draw.io for Jira further solidifies its presence in the project management domain.
Git and Dropbox
- Draw.io supports visual documentation in distributed teams by working seamlessly with GitHub, GitLab, and Dropbox.
Desktop and Notion
- Users have the option to download draw.io Desktop for offline use or utilize draw.io for VSCode.
- The integration with Notion, through a dedicated Chrome extension, allows users to embed and edit diagrams directly within Notion.
Mobile diagramming and flexible file storage
- On-the-go diagramming is made possible by adding a web link to app.diagrams.net on a mobile device's home screen.
- Draw.io accommodates flexible file storage, enabling users to store diagrams on various platforms, including Google Drive, OneDrive, GitHub, GitLab, Dropbox, or locally on their devices.
3rd-Party integrations
Draw.io extends its reach through third-party integrations with a diverse array of applications:
- Aha!: Ideal for project management mockups, flow diagrams, product roadmaps, and marketing planning.
- Bioiocons: Open-source icon libraries enhancing Draw.io's utility for life science illustrations and diagrams.
- BookStack: An open-source information management system.
- Docstell: Providing software documentation solutions for developers.
- FOSWiki: Enabling the combination of text and structured content, macros, and data from web APIs.
- Grafana: Adding diagrams to the analytics and modeling platform through an open-source plugin.
- Growi: Integrating Draw.io into the team collaboration software, facilitating markdown-based content creation.
- JupyterLab: Combining various content types like runnable code snippets, LaTeX, images, and embedded interactive diagrams.
- Lark: Integrating Draw.io into Lark's content and collaboration suite.
- LumApps: Allowing users to insert diagrams into LumApps content.
- MediaWiki: DrawioEditor, a MediaWiki extension, integrates Draw.io and enables inline editing of diagrams.
- Nuclino: Facilitating easy embedding of diagrams into the content development platform.
- ONLYOFFICE: Integration of the diagram editor into documents via a plugin to their Docs application.
- ownCloud: Creating and modifying diagrams in the ownCloud open-source collaboration platform's file editor app.
- Redmine: Empowering project documentation in Redmine, a project management web application based on Ruby on Rails.
- Tiki Wiki CMS Groupware: Managing diagrams in Tiki Wiki CMS Groupware, a collaborative, free, and open-source wiki-based content management system.
- VS Code: Editing and managing diagrams directly inside VS Code, enhancing the coding experience.
- XWiki: Creating diagrams in XWiki through the Diagram Application extension.
- Wiki.js: Storing and displaying diagrams in documentation within Wiki.js, an open-source Wiki program.
Programming made easier
Because computer programming consists of many flows and processes, you can use flowcharts and diagrams. This makes it easier for non-technical people to understand and visualize your program’s flow. For that, you can use software like MyDraw, Gliffy, and Draw.io.
Draw.io helps you collaborate with your teams and also allows the team to be more productive. You can use Draw.io to create flowcharts, process diagrams, assemble mindmaps, organizational charts, ERDs, and UML diagrams. You can also use the confluence-native, collaborative editing tool to help your team create confluence documentation.
How to use Draw.io
You can download the Draw.io software from any Windows-supported app store or directly from the Draw.io website. You can then choose between the free (open-source) version or the paid Draw.io for Confluence version; this depends on what you’re trying to accomplish with the app. Prices can range significantly from month-to-month or yearly robust all-inclusive plans, depending on your team size.
Don’t know how to use the app? There’s a Tutorial section on the Draw.io website. You can style or edit charts and save time by creating advanced flowcharts or diagrams with power functionality. The software is fully integrated with your confluence workflow and allows you to build charts in context.
You can open Draw.io files either directly from your device or Google Drive or One Drive and download them from there.
Our take
Diagramming is a great way to plan and Draw.io helps you create different types of helpful charts and diagrams.
Should you download it?
Yes. Whether you are a programmer or planning to write an article, Draw.io can help you take planning to the next level.
