# PlexiiDiagrams overview

> PlexiiDiagrams is the diagram editor in Office. Draw flowcharts, process maps, org charts and mind maps from shapes and connectors, then export them.

Source: https://plexiidesk.com/help/diagrams-overview
Section: Office > Diagrams
Plans: All plans
Updated: 2026-10-15

PlexiiDiagrams is the diagram editor in PlexiiOffice. You build a diagram from shapes, such as steps, decisions and start and end points, and join them with connectors that end in an arrow. Use it for flowcharts, process and approval maps, org charts and mind maps.

Every diagram is kept in Office. You can also put a diagram on a desk with the Flowchart widget, which shows the same diagram with the same editor. See [Flowchart widget](https://plexiidesk.com/help/widget-flowchart).

## Before you start

- PlexiiDiagrams is on every plan.
- Generating a diagram with AI needs AI to be set up: PlexiDesk credits while you are signed in, or your own Anthropic key. See [AI credits and where your AI runs](https://plexiidesk.com/help/ai-credits).

## Start a diagram

1. Click the **Apps** heading in the side menu. Office Home opens.
2. Click the **PlexiDiagrams** tile. A new diagram called "Untitled diagram" opens, with one **Start** shape on it.

You can also start from **Blank drawing** under **Start with a template** on Office Home, which makes a new diagram, or, inside a diagram, choose **File** > **New diagram**. To open a diagram you already have, click it under **Recent** on Office Home. See [Create a document, sheet, deck, diagram, design or artwork](https://plexiidesk.com/help/office-create-files).

## What you see

From top to bottom:

- **The header**: the arrow back to Office, the diagram's name, **Share**, and whether your changes are saved. See [The editor header, saving and the File menu](https://plexiidesk.com/help/office-editor-basics).
- **The menu bar**: **File**, **Insert**, **View** and **Help**.
- **The shape groups**: **Flowchart**, **Basic shapes**, **Arrows** and **Containers**. Click one to show its shapes in the toolbar below.
- **The toolbar**: the shapes in the chosen group, the colour swatches for new shapes, **Dashed**, **Templates** and **AI map**. On the right are **Arrange**, **Export** and **Fit**, and a reminder of the main gestures.
- **The canvas**, on a dotted grid, with zoom buttons in the bottom left corner and a small overview map in the bottom right.

## The shapes

| Group | Shapes |
| --- | --- |
| **Flowchart** | **Process**, **Decision**, **Start / End**, **Data**, **Store**, **Prep**, **Manual** and **Text** |
| **Basic shapes** | **Circle**, **Triangle**, **Pentagon**, **Star**, **Cross** and **Callout** |
| **Arrows** | **Stage** and **Arrow** |
| **Containers** | **Lane**: a long band with a title down its left side, to group the steps one person or team takes |

The **Insert** menu lists every shape too, and **Insert** > **Widget from a desk** puts a live widget from one of your desks into the diagram.

## Work on a diagram

This is a short tour. [Draw a flowchart](https://plexiidesk.com/help/diagrams-draw-a-flowchart) goes through each step in full.

- **Add a shape:** click it in the toolbar. It appears in the middle of your view.
- **Name it:** double-click the shape, type, and press `Enter`.
- **Connect two shapes:** drag from one of the dots on a shape's sides to another shape.
- **Label a connector:** double-click the line.
- **Move and resize:** drag a shape to move it. Select it and drag its handles to resize it.
- **Delete:** select a shape or line and press `Delete` or `Backspace`.
- **Tidy up:** **Arrange** sets the whole diagram out in neat layers. **Fit**, or **View** > **Fit to view**, brings all of it into view.

**Help** > **How to diagram** lists these gestures.

## Start from a template or AI

- **Templates** offers a **Flowchart**, an **Org chart**, a **Mind map** and an **Approval flow** with lanes.
- **AI map** builds a diagram from a description of a process or structure.

Both replace what is on the canvas. See [Start a diagram from a template or AI](https://plexiidesk.com/help/diagrams-templates-and-ai).

## Import and export

- Bring in a Visio .vsdx file from the Documents page with **Import Visio**.
- **Export** saves the diagram as a **PNG image**, **SVG (vector)**, **JPG image** or **PDF**.

See [Import Visio and export diagrams](https://plexiidesk.com/help/diagrams-visio-import-and-export).

## The file itself

**File** has **Make a copy**, **Rename**, **Version history** and **Move to trash**. See [Version history](https://plexiidesk.com/help/office-version-history) and [Delete and restore Office files](https://plexiidesk.com/help/office-trash-and-restore). **Insert** > **Meeting** starts a meeting about the diagram.

## Common questions

**Can I undo a change?** PlexiiDiagrams has no undo. Before a big change, such as picking a template, choose **File** > **Make a copy**. To go back to an earlier state, use **File** > **Version history**.

**Where are my diagrams?** In Office. Look under **Recent** on Office Home, or see [Find, star and pin your Office files](https://plexiidesk.com/help/office-find-and-star-files).

**Can I put a diagram on a desk?** Yes, with the Flowchart widget. See [Flowchart widget](https://plexiidesk.com/help/widget-flowchart).

**What is the difference from the Diagram widget?** The Diagram widget is a small drawing board that lives only on its desk. A PlexiiDiagrams diagram is a file in Office, with templates, AI and export. See [Diagram widget](https://plexiidesk.com/help/widget-diagram).

## Related tasks

- [Draw a flowchart](https://plexiidesk.com/help/diagrams-draw-a-flowchart)
- [Start a diagram from a template or AI](https://plexiidesk.com/help/diagrams-templates-and-ai)
- [Import Visio and export diagrams](https://plexiidesk.com/help/diagrams-visio-import-and-export)
- [Flowchart widget](https://plexiidesk.com/help/widget-flowchart)
- [PlexiiOffice: your office suite](https://plexiidesk.com/help/office-overview)