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Confluence Drawing & Diagramming Tools: Complete Guide 2026

· 4 min read
NGPilot
NGPilot
NGPilot

Adding diagrams to Confluence pages helps teams communicate architecture, processes, and workflows visually. This guide covers the three main approaches to creating diagrams in Confluence and helps you choose the right tool for your needs.

Overview: Three approaches to diagrams in Confluence​

ApproachAppInput MethodBest For
Text-based diagramsMermaid PlusWrite code → get diagramStructured diagrams, documentation
Visual drawingExcalidraw PlusDrag & drop on canvasBrainstorming, wireframes, whiteboarding
Network graphsGraphviz ChartsWrite DOT languageDependency trees, network topologies

1. Mermaid Plus — diagrams from text​

Mermaid Plus for Confluence lets you write diagram definitions in text and renders them instantly. It supports 26+ diagram types including flowcharts, sequence diagrams, class diagrams, ER diagrams, Gantt charts, pie charts, mindmaps, timelines, and more.

How it works​

  1. Type /mermaid in the Confluence editor
  2. Write Mermaid syntax in the code pane
  3. See the live preview update in real time
  4. Choose a theme (default, dark, forest, neutral)
  5. Save — the diagram renders on the page

Best for​

  • Architecture decision records — diagrams alongside text that can be versioned and diffed
  • API documentation — sequence diagrams showing request/response flows
  • Process documentation — flowcharts with clear steps and decision points
  • Project planning — Gantt charts and timelines

Read more: Create Mermaid diagrams in Confluence.

2. Excalidraw Plus — freeform drawing​

Excalidraw plus Whiteboards for Confluence provides a visual canvas where you draw with shapes, lines, and text. It ships with 220+ shape libraries covering flowcharts, UML, wireframes, network diagrams, and more.

How it works​

  1. Type /excalidraw in the Confluence editor
  2. A full drawing canvas opens inside the page
  3. Drag shapes from the library, draw lines, add text
  4. Save — the drawing embeds in the page

Best for​

  • Brainstorming sessions — freeform drawing without constraints
  • Wireframes and mockups — sketch UI ideas quickly
  • Whiteboarding — collaborative visual thinking
  • Custom diagrams — anything that doesn't fit a standard diagram type

Also available for Jira: Excalidraw Diagrams plus Whiteboards for Jira.

3. Graphviz Charts — automatic graph layout​

Graphviz Charts for Confluence uses the DOT language to generate directed and undirected graphs with automatic layout. It excels at complex node-and-edge diagrams.

How it works​

  1. Type /graphviz in the Confluence editor
  2. Write DOT syntax defining nodes and edges
  3. The engine automatically computes the layout
  4. Save — the graph renders on the page

Best for​

  • Network topologies — show how servers and services connect
  • Dependency trees — visualize package or module dependencies
  • State machines — show states and transitions
  • Org charts — hierarchical tree layouts

Which should you choose?​

By use case​

Use CaseRecommended Tool
FlowchartsMermaid Plus or Excalidraw Plus
Sequence diagramsMermaid Plus
WireframesExcalidraw Plus
Architecture diagramsMermaid Plus or Excalidraw Plus
Network diagramsGraphviz Charts
Gantt chartsMermaid Plus
MindmapsMermaid Plus
Freeform brainstormingExcalidraw Plus
Dependency treesGraphviz Charts

By team type​

  • Engineering teams — Mermaid Plus (diagrams-as-code integrates with docs)
  • Design teams — Excalidraw Plus (visual canvas with shape libraries)
  • DevOps teams — Graphviz Charts (automated network graph layout)
  • Cross-functional teams — install all three, each serves different needs

Want multiple tools in one app?​

Excalidraw & Mermaid Diagrams for Confluence combines both Excalidraw and Mermaid in a single macro — freeform drawing on one tab, structured Mermaid diagrams on the other.

See the documentation.

Get started​

All three apps are available on the Atlassian Marketplace with free trials. Each is free for up to 10 users.

Ready to add diagrams to your Confluence? Browse all NGPILOT apps →