How to use diagrams
Diagrams help you understand database structure through a visual representation. You use them to inspect tables, relationships, and metadata, reduce complexity in large schemas, and prepare changes before working with SQL.
You can rearrange layouts, adjust visibility, switch notations and routing, search within diagrams, generate SQL, and export or print results.
Work with diagram elements¶
Start by selecting objects you want to analyze. Selection defines what the diagram highlights, which actions become available, and which related objects are brought into focus. Use the Select tool from the Palette panel.
Tip
Diagrams are accessible from the keyboard and can be used without a mouse. For details, see the Accessibility guide.
You can select elements in several ways:
- click a diagram object to select it
- hold Shift and click additional elements to extend the selection
- drag the mouse on the canvas to select multiple elements at once
Tip
For a selected table, right-click to open the context menu and access specific actions.
When you select an element, the diagram reacts automatically:
- selecting multiple tables by dragging on the canvas highlights connections between them
- selecting a column highlights related keys and connections
- selecting a connection highlights the linked tables and key columns
This visual feedback helps you quickly understand how objects are connected without opening properties or reading SQL. Selected elements become the active context for the diagram.
Explore and adjust diagram structure¶
Diagrams are primarily a tool for exploration. After selecting tables or connections, you can:
- move tables manually to clarify relationships
- auto-arrange tables into a compact layout
- change how relationships are displayed using different notations and routing types
- control column visibility and presentation
- apply colors to group or highlight related objects
- add notes to document structure and decisions
Info
- Use Custom diagrams to group tables or combine objects from different connections.
- Use Edit mode to apply schema changes to the database.
Diagram notation and routing¶
To make complex schemas easier to read, you can control how relationships are drawn and interpreted.
Notations¶
-
IDEF1X (default): Highly recommended for designing relational databases. It places a strong emphasis on detailing entity relationships and constraints. For more information, see IDEF1X Notation.
-
Bachman: A notation that is particularly useful for data processing diagrams and reflects the data structure of the designed system from the data management perspective. For a more detailed understanding, refer to Bachman Notation.
Note
Bachman notation is available in Enterprise, Ultimate and Team editions only.
-
Crow's Foot: This notation is widely used and is particularly intuitive for representing cardinality and relationships between entities. More information is available on Crow's Foot Notation.
Routing types¶
-
Shortest paths (default): Calculate and display the shortest possible lines connecting entities, ensuring a compact and efficient diagram representation.
Tip
Click on a connection to view detailed relationships.
-
Orthogonal paths: Uses right-angled lines for clear, structured layouts; Showing direct relationships between tables and columns.
Note
Orthogonal paths are available in Enterprise, Ultimate and Team editions only.
Setting Notation and Routing type¶
To set notation or routing type in Diagram:
- Right-click on an empty space within the Diagram area.
- From the context menu, hover over Notation or Routing for the respective settings.
- Select your preferred option from the submenu.
Alternatively, adjust these settings through the Diagram toolbar:
- Click the Settings button
. - In the Advanced section, find the Notation type or Routing type dropdown menu.
- Choose your preferred setting.
Control visibility and appearance¶
Once the structure is clear, adjust visibility and styles to reduce noise and focus on what matters.
Attribute styles¶
Control how columns are rendered inside tables. Right-click the diagram canvas and choose View Styles.
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Show icons | Displays icons that indicate column types and roles. |
| Show data types | Displays column data types next to column names. |
| Show nullability | Shows NULL or NOT NULL markers for columns. |
| Show comments | Displays column comments, if available. |
| Show fully qualified names | Displays schema-qualified table names. |
| Sort columns alphabetically | Sorts columns in tables alphabetically by name. |
Info
Style settings affect the visual representation only and don’t change the database schema.
Attribute visibility¶
Control how many columns are shown in tables on the diagram. Right-click the diagram canvas and choose Show Attributes.
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| All | Shows all columns for tables in the diagram. |
| Any keys | Shows primary and foreign key columns only. |
| Primary key | Shows primary key columns only. |
| None | Hides all columns. |
Tip
You can apply visibility settings either to all tables or only to the selected table.
Use color for structure¶
You can assign custom colors to highlight important areas or group related objects. Right-click a diagram object and choose Set color.
Change element stacking order¶
Control how elements are layered on the diagram. Right-click a diagram object and choose Bring to front or Send to back.
Adjust layout behavior¶
Control how objects are positioned on the diagram. Use layout actions from the toolbar or context menu to auto-arrange tables, keep the current layout, toggle the grid, and snap elements to the grid.
Use notes¶
Add notes to annotate the diagram. Choose Note from Palette, and place it on the diagram canvas. Double-click the note to edit its text.
Generate SQL¶
Generate SQL statements from selected tables using the diagram context menu.
Info
For details, see SQL Generation.
Print diagram¶
Print the current diagram using the print action on the diagram toolbar.
Search tables and columns¶
Open the search field from the toolbar or press Ctrl+F to highlight matching tables and columns on the canvas.
Save diagram as¶
Save the current diagram using Save diagram as… on the diagram toolbar to export it as
SVG, PNG, GIF, BMP, or GraphML.
Shortcuts¶
Use keyboard shortcuts to work with diagrams faster. Shortcuts let you navigate between tables, select elements, and move or resize them.
Info
For the full shortcut reference, see Diagram shortcuts.