Excalidraw for Confluence & Jira: FAQ, Tips & Best Practices

Excalidraw is a virtual whiteboard tool known for its hand-drawn, sketch-like visual style that makes diagrams feel approachable and easy to understand. Teams choose Excalidraw because it lowers the barrier to visual communication -- you do not need to be a designer to create clear architecture diagrams, flowcharts, wireframes, or brainstorming boards. When integrated directly into Confluence and Jira through dedicated apps, Excalidraw becomes even more powerful: diagrams live alongside your documentation and issues, eliminating the need to switch between external tools and your workspace.

Two Atlassian Marketplace apps bring Excalidraw into the Atlassian ecosystem. Excalidraw Plus for Confluence embeds a full drawing editor into Confluence pages, giving teams freeform canvas tools for brainstorming, planning, and documentation. Excalidraw Diagrams plus Whiteboards for Jira adds a diagramming panel directly inside Jira issues, so developers and project managers can create and edit visual artifacts without leaving the issue view. Both apps store diagrams as JSON attachments, which means your visual data stays inside your Atlassian instance and travels with your content through exports, backups, and migrations.

This FAQ covers the most common questions teams ask when adopting Excalidraw inside Confluence and Jira, along with practical answers, feature comparisons, and best practices to help you get the most from the tools.

---

Where are Excalidraw diagrams stored?

Excalidraw diagrams are saved as JSON file attachments on the Confluence page or Jira issue where they were created. In Confluence, you will find the .json file in the page's attachment list alongside any other uploaded files. In Jira, the diagram is stored as an attachment on the issue itself, visible in the issue's attachment section.

Storing diagrams as JSON attachments has several advantages. First, the diagram data never leaves your Atlassian instance, which is important for organizations with strict data residency or compliance requirements. Second, the JSON format preserves full editing fidelity -- when you reopen the diagram, every shape, line, text element, and style setting is exactly as you left it. Third, because the attachment travels with the page or issue, it is included automatically in Confluence space exports, Jira project exports, and server-to-server migrations.

If you need to back up diagrams outside of Atlassian, you can download the JSON attachment file directly from the attachment list. This file can later be re-imported into any Excalidraw editor, including the open-source version at excalidraw.com, giving you full portability.

Can multiple users collaborate on Excalidraw diagrams in real time?

Real-time collaboration works differently depending on which app and platform you are using. Excalidraw Plus for Confluence supports collaborative editing when multiple users have the same Confluence page open and enter the Excalidraw editor simultaneously. Each collaborator's cursor is visible, and changes are synchronized so the team can draw together on a shared canvas.

In Excalidraw Diagrams plus Whiteboards for Jira, collaboration happens through the issue-level diagram panel. Team members who have access to the Jira issue can view and edit the diagram, with changes saved as updates to the JSON attachment. Because the diagram is tied to a single issue, editing is typically sequential -- one person edits at a time, and the saved version is immediately available to the next person who opens it.

For teams that need simultaneous editing in Confluence, make sure all collaborators have edit permissions on the page and are using a supported browser. The collaboration experience is smoothest in Chrome and Firefox. If you notice sync delays, try refreshing the page or closing and reopening the editor.

How do I export Excalidraw diagrams?

Both apps provide flexible export options suited to different use cases. From inside the Excalidraw editor, you can export your diagram to PNG for raster images, SVG for scalable vector graphics, or the raw JSON source file. Here is when to use each format:

• PNG -- Best for embedding diagrams in emails, presentations, or documents where a flat image is sufficient. PNG exports respect your current canvas zoom and viewport, so make sure to frame the diagram the way you want it before exporting.
• SVG -- Ideal when you need a resolution-independent image that scales cleanly at any size, such as for print materials or high-resolution displays. SVG files can also be edited in vector graphics tools like Illustrator or Inkscape.
• JSON -- The full diagram source file. Use JSON for backups, version control, or importing into another Excalidraw instance. This is the most complete export because it preserves every element and its properties.

In Confluence, the diagram renders inline on the page as a viewable image, so external export is only needed when you want to use the diagram outside Confluence. In Jira, the diagram appears in the issue panel and is also available as an attachment that can be downloaded.

How can I improve performance with large diagrams?

Large canvases with hundreds or thousands of elements can slow down any browser-based editor, and Excalidraw is no exception. If you notice lag when panning, zooming, or selecting elements, try these strategies:

Break large diagrams into smaller ones. Instead of drawing an entire system architecture on a single canvas, split it into focused diagrams -- one per service, layer, or domain. Link between related Confluence pages so readers can navigate the full picture without loading one massive canvas.

Use shape libraries instead of manual drawing. Both apps include extensive shape libraries with pre-built elements. Excalidraw Plus for Confluence ships with 220+ shape packs, and Excalidraw Diagrams plus Whiteboards for Jira includes 229 bundled shape libraries covering AWS, Azure, GCP, UML, and more. Dragging a pre-built shape from a library is faster and lighter than assembling it from basic primitives.

Enable grid alignment. Grid snapping helps keep your canvas tidy, which reduces visual clutter and makes the diagram easier for the renderer to handle. A well-aligned diagram also communicates more clearly to readers.

Minimize overlapping transparent elements. Overlapping shapes with opacity settings require the browser to composite layers repeatedly during pan and zoom. Use solid fills where possible and group related elements together.

Can I reuse Excalidraw diagram templates and shapes?

Yes -- both apps provide robust reuse capabilities that save time and enforce visual consistency across your team.

Excalidraw Plus for Confluence includes a template library where you can save commonly used diagrams as reusable starting points. Teams often create templates for standard flowcharts, sprint retro boards, system architecture layouts, and UI wireframes. When a new page needs a diagram, you pick a template and customize it rather than starting from scratch. The app also provides access to 220+ shape packs from the Excalidraw library community, covering everything from basic geometric shapes to specialized icon sets for technology, business, and design.

Excalidraw Diagrams plus Whiteboards for Jira comes with 229 bundled shape libraries that include pre-built stencils for major cloud providers (AWS, Azure, GCP), UML diagrams, network topology, and more. These libraries are particularly useful for engineering teams that need to create consistent architecture diagrams across multiple Jira issues. The app also supports Mermaid syntax generation, allowing you to define diagrams in text-based Mermaid format and render them as Excalidraw visuals -- a powerful option for developers who prefer code over drawing.

How do I make Excalidraw diagrams accessible?

Accessibility is an important consideration when diagrams convey critical information. While visual diagrams are inherently graphical, you can take concrete steps to make them more inclusive:

• Add alt text descriptions. Surround the diagram with descriptive text on the Confluence page or Jira issue that explains what the diagram shows. A screen reader cannot interpret the visual canvas, so a written summary is essential.
• Use high-contrast color palettes. Excalidraw Plus supports a range of color options. Choose color combinations with strong contrast ratios, and avoid relying solely on color to convey meaning. Use labels, patterns, or line styles as additional differentiators.
• Label all elements clearly. Every shape and connector in your diagram should have a text label. Unlabeled shapes are meaningless to anyone using assistive technology or reading a text-only export.
• Provide a text-based alternative. For complex diagrams, consider writing a structured text outline below the visual. This serves double duty as both an accessibility aid and a quick-reference summary for all readers.
• Test with your audience. Ask team members who use screen readers or other assistive tools whether your diagrams are understandable. Their feedback will guide improvements you may not have considered.

What is the difference between the Confluence and Jira Excalidraw apps?

While both apps are built on the same Excalidraw editor, they are designed for different workflows and contexts. Here is a side-by-side comparison of their key features:

Feature	Excalidraw Plus for Confluence	Excalidraw Diagrams plus Whiteboards for Jira
Location	Embedded editor on Confluence pages	Right-side panel on Jira issues
Primary use case	Documentation, brainstorming, knowledge base visuals	Issue-level diagrams, technical specs, architecture
Drawing tools	Shapes, freehand, text, lines, arrows	Shapes, freehand, text, lines, arrows
Styling options	Colors, line styles, opacity, fill patterns	Colors, line styles, opacity, fill patterns
Shape libraries	220+ shape packs from community library	229 bundled libraries (AWS, Azure, GCP, UML)
Mermaid support	Not built in	Yes -- generate diagrams from Mermaid syntax
Export formats	PNG, SVG, JSON	PNG, SVG, JSON
Storage	JSON attachment on Confluence page	JSON attachment on Jira issue
Templates	Template library for team reuse	Shape libraries for consistent stencils
Auto-save	Yes	Yes
Grid alignment	Yes	Yes
Collaboration	Real-time multi-user editing	Sequential editing per issue

Choose the Confluence app when your team needs a freeform drawing space for collaborative documentation, retrospectives, or knowledge articles. Choose the Jira app when your workflow requires diagrams tightly coupled to specific issues -- for example, attaching an architecture diagram to a design ticket or sketching a bug reproduction flow directly on a bug report.

Best practices for using Excalidraw effectively

Over years of helping teams adopt Excalidraw in Confluence and Jira, we have identified several practices that consistently lead to better outcomes.

1. Standardize on shared shape libraries

Before your team starts drawing, agree on which shape libraries to use for common diagram types. If everyone uses the same AWS stencil pack for architecture diagrams, the resulting visuals will be consistent and easier to read. Assign a team member to curate and publish approved libraries in the Excalidraw Plus template library or the Jira shape library panel.

2. Keep diagrams focused on one concept

Resist the temptation to put everything on a single canvas. A diagram that tries to show an entire microservices architecture, plus data flows, plus deployment pipelines, plus team ownership will be unreadable. Instead, create a high-level overview diagram and link to separate detail diagrams on dedicated Confluence pages or Jira issues. Each diagram should answer one question.

3. Use the auto-save feature to your advantage

Both apps auto-save your work as you draw. This means you can treat the canvas as a living document that evolves alongside your project. Encourage the team to update diagrams when architecture changes, rather than letting them go stale. Set a recurring reminder to review and update key diagrams during sprint retrospectives or milestone reviews.

4. Combine freeform drawing with structured libraries

Excalidraw's hand-drawn style is great for early-stage brainstorming where you want to emphasize that ideas are preliminary. As concepts mature, switch to structured shape libraries for polished diagrams that convey precision and authority. This two-phase approach -- sketch first, refine later -- takes advantage of Excalidraw's unique visual character without sacrificing professionalism.

5. Export and embed for broader visibility

Not everyone who needs to see your diagram will have access to the Confluence page or Jira issue where it lives. Use the PNG or SVG export to embed diagrams in Slack messages, email threads, or presentation decks. Keeping a shared drive folder with the latest exported versions of key diagrams ensures that stakeholders can reference them without navigating into Atlassian tools.

Related resources

• Excalidraw Plus for Confluence -- freeform drawing in Confluence
• Excalidraw Diagrams plus Whiteboards for Jira -- whiteboards in Jira issues
• Excalidraw & Mermaid Visual Editor -- combine freeform and structured diagrams
• Using Excalidraw whiteboards in Jira -- setup guide
• Create Mermaid diagrams in Confluence -- alternative diagram tool