Lucidchart is an online diagramming tool used to visualize processes, models, and other diagrams. This article offers an overview on how to create and customize diagrams. For more detailed articles on specific topics, check out our Knowledge Base and Community.
Create Your Document
To create a new diagram, click on the drop-down arrow next to the “+ Document” button and select a template (if the arrow is not there, click “+ Document”). Lucidchart provides dozens of templates in various categories to fit your needs.
If you do not find the template that you are looking for, open a blank document.
Located on the left-hand side of the screen, the Toolbox stores all of your shape libraries. The standard shape library, which contains a transparent text box, text block, note, hotspot, and line tool, stays pinned to the Toolbox.
To access more shape libraries, click on the “Shapes” button at the top of the Toolbox or the “+ Shapes” button at the bottom of the Toolbox.
For more information on how to add and customize more shapes, see our article on how to Style a Shape.
Note: Free and Basic accounts can't access some advanced shape libraries. For more information, please see our pricing page or contact our sales team.
To draw an object, select a shape from the Shape Toolbox on the left panel and drag it onto the page.
To connect two shapes, click on the red connection point floating outside of the shapes and drag the line to any point on the other shape.
To insert an image, select the Insert tab at the top of your screen. Select “Image” from the drop-down menu and select the image that you wish to insert into your document.
One of the most useful features of Lucidchart is the ability to collaborate in real time with your team members. To share your document, click the “Share” button on the top right corner of your screen.
From here, you will be able to get a shareable link or invite new collaborators to your document and limit their ability to edit and share the document.
Click "Advanced" for other sharing options. For more information about sharing your document, please see our Collaborate and Share article in the Help Center.
Customize Your Document
From the Settings panel (found in the Dock on the right-hand side of the editor), you can adjust page orientation, size, and color. You can also adjust the gridlines, guides, and rulers and toggle line jumps.
To format a line, select the line and choose a formatting option from the Line Style menu in the top Properties bar. You can format the line type, line style, and arrow style. You can also use the Properties bar along the top of the page to change a shape’s fill, border properties, and font.
The Theme feature is useful for consistently styling your diagram without having to manually apply the same look over and over again on each individual object. Each theme applies a tasteful blend of colors, lines, outlines, and text styles to a selected diagram.
To create and apply your own theme:
- Style an object or line with colors, gradients, borders, styles, text, etc.
- Open the Theme menu from the Graphic panel.
- Select the shape that you would like to set as the default shape.
- Click “Set Default.” You will see your new theme default in the window to the left.
- Click “Apply All” in the Graphic panel to apply the theme to existing objects.
