How to Change Diagram Layout
This article explains how to change the layout of a diagram so that you can control how your entities and relationships are displayed visually.
Before You Start
Make sure you have created a diagram and are viewing it. If you haven't, see How to Create Diagrams.
Quick Steps
- Click the Layout button.
- A panel drops down with four sections: Layout Engine, Link Routing, Connector, and Direction. Configure each section to your preference — the diagram updates instantly as you make changes.
- When you're happy with the layout, click Lock Layout to save it.
Layout Options Explained
Layout Engine
The Layout Engine controls which algorithm is used to arrange your diagram. There are two options:
- ELK (default) — best for most diagrams. Use this when your diagram has more than five entities or involves complex structures.
- Dagre — best for simpler diagrams with five entities or fewer. Diagrams using Dagre tend to be more compact and can look neater, but it doesn't handle complexity as well as ELK.
Link Routing
Link Routing controls how relationships connect entities. The options available depend on your chosen Layout Engine:
- ELK: Normal, Orthogonal, Splines
- Dagre: Normal, Straight, Orthogonal, Metro
Connector
Connector controls how relationship arrows appear. The options are the same regardless of your Layout Engine:
- Normal
- Rounded
- Curved
Direction
Direction controls which way relationship arrows point across the diagram. Choose from four directions — left, right, up, or down. For example, selecting down causes all relationship arrows to cascade downwards.
The best way to get a feel for these options is to try them out.
What You'll See
The diagram updates instantly as you change each setting. Once you're satisfied, click Lock Layout to save your configuration.
If you'd like to return to your last locked layout, click Refresh.
Tips
- Lock Layout regularly as you work — it acts as a save point you can return to by clicking Refresh.
- There is no Undo. Once you click Lock Layout, you can't revert to a previous layout without manually reconfiguring the Layout options.