# Drawing vs Diagramming in Confluence — Canvas vs Text vs Graph May 6, 2026 · 5 min read [NGPilot](https://ngpilot.com) 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[​](#overview-three-approaches-to-diagrams-in-confluence "Direct link to Overview: Three approaches to diagrams in Confluence") | Approach | App | Input Method | Best For | | ------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------ | ---------------------------------------- | | Text-based diagrams | [Mermaid Plus](https://marketplace.atlassian.com/apps/1236814/mermaid-plus-for-confluence?hosting=cloud\&tab=overview) | Write code → get diagram | Structured diagrams, documentation | | Visual drawing | [Excalidraw Plus](https://marketplace.atlassian.com/apps/1237651/excalidraw-plus-whiteboards-for-confluence?hosting=cloud\&tab=overview) | Drag & drop on canvas | Brainstorming, wireframes, whiteboarding | | Network graphs | [Graphviz Charts](https://marketplace.atlassian.com/apps/1237659/graphviz-charts-for-confluence?hosting=cloud\&tab=overview) | Write DOT language | Dependency trees, network topologies | ## 1. Mermaid Plus — diagrams from text[​](#1-mermaid-plus--diagrams-from-text "Direct link to 1. Mermaid Plus — diagrams from text") [Mermaid Plus for Confluence](https://marketplace.atlassian.com/apps/1236814/mermaid-plus-for-confluence?hosting=cloud\&tab=overview) lets you write diagram definitions in text and renders them instantly. It supports **29 diagram types** including flowcharts, sequence diagrams, class diagrams, ER diagrams, Gantt charts, pie charts, mindmaps, timelines, and more. ### How it works[​](#how-it-works "Direct link to 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[​](#best-for "Direct link to 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](/blog/create-mermaid-diagrams-confluence.md). ## 2. Excalidraw Plus — freeform drawing[​](#2-excalidraw-plus--freeform-drawing "Direct link to 2. Excalidraw Plus — freeform drawing") [Excalidraw plus Whiteboards for Confluence](https://marketplace.atlassian.com/apps/1237651/excalidraw-plus-whiteboards-for-confluence?hosting=cloud\&tab=overview) 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[​](#how-it-works-1 "Direct link to 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[​](#best-for-1 "Direct link to 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](/docs/Excalidraw-Diagrams-plus-Whiteboards-for-Jira/usage.md). ## 3. Graphviz Charts — automatic graph layout[​](#3-graphviz-charts--automatic-graph-layout "Direct link to 3. Graphviz Charts — automatic graph layout") [Graphviz Charts for Confluence](https://marketplace.atlassian.com/apps/1237659/graphviz-charts-for-confluence?hosting=cloud\&tab=overview) uses the DOT language to generate directed and undirected graphs with automatic layout. It excels at complex node-and-edge diagrams. ### How it works[​](#how-it-works-2 "Direct link to 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[​](#best-for-2 "Direct link to 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?[​](#which-should-you-choose "Direct link to Which should you choose?") ### By use case[​](#by-use-case "Direct link to By use case") | Use Case | Recommended Tool | | ---------------------- | ------------------------------- | | Flowcharts | Mermaid Plus or Excalidraw Plus | | Sequence diagrams | Mermaid Plus | | Wireframes | Excalidraw Plus | | Architecture diagrams | Mermaid Plus or Excalidraw Plus | | Network diagrams | Graphviz Charts | | Gantt charts | Mermaid Plus | | Mindmaps | Mermaid Plus | | Freeform brainstorming | Excalidraw Plus | | Dependency trees | Graphviz Charts | ### By team type[​](#by-team-type "Direct link to 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?[​](#want-multiple-tools-in-one-app "Direct link to Want multiple tools in one app?") [Excalidraw & Mermaid Diagrams for Confluence](https://marketplace.atlassian.com/apps/1237659/excalidraw-mermaid-diagrams-for-confluence?hosting=cloud\&tab=overview) combines both Excalidraw and Mermaid in a single macro — freeform drawing on one tab, structured Mermaid diagrams on the other. See the [documentation](/docs/diagram-duo-for-confluence/usage.md). ## Get started[​](#get-started "Direct link to Get started") All three apps are available on the [Atlassian Marketplace](https://marketplace.atlassian.com/vendors/1226848/) with free trials. Each is free for up to 10 users. **Ready to add diagrams to your Confluence?** [Browse all NGPILOT apps →](https://marketplace.atlassian.com/vendors/1226848/) ## Related resources[​](#related-resources "Direct link to Related resources") * [Confluence diagram tools compared](/blog/confluence-diagram-tools-comparison.md) — detailed feature comparison * [Does Confluence support Mermaid?](/blog/does-confluence-support-mermaid.md) — setup guide * [Create flowcharts in Confluence](/blog/create-flowcharts-confluence.md) — step-by-step tutorial * [Excalidraw best practices FAQ](/blog/faq-excalidraw-best-practices.md) * [Mermaid troubleshooting FAQ](/blog/faq-mermaid-troubleshooting.md) * [Mermaid diagram types FAQ](/blog/faq-mermaid-diagram-types-confluence.md) ## Related guides * [Best Diagram Tool for Confluence — Compared](/blog/confluence-diagram-tools-comparison.md) * [How to Create Mermaid Diagrams in Jira](/blog/how-to-create-mermaid-diagrams-jira.md) * [Export Jira Issues to Excel or CSV](/blog/export-jira-issues-to-excel.md) * [Bulk Download Jira Attachments](/blog/bulk-download-jira-attachments.md) Explore NGPILOT[Browse Solutions](/solutions.md)[All Apps](/apps.md)[Atlassian Marketplace →](https://marketplace.atlassian.com/vendors/1226848/?utm_source=ngpilot.com\&utm_medium=blog\&utm_campaign=hub-links) **Tags:** * [confluence](/blog/tags/confluence.md) * [diagrams](/blog/tags/diagrams.md) * [drawing](/blog/tags/drawing.md) * [mermaid](/blog/tags/mermaid.md) * [excalidraw](/blog/tags/excalidraw.md) * [graphviz](/blog/tags/graphviz.md) * [comparison](/blog/tags/comparison.md)