# Diagrams from a URL or attachment

Useful when the diagram is generated by something else, such as a build pipeline that writes a PlantUML file, and you want Confluence to show the current version rather than a copy.

![](https://help.gocapable.com/images/f34cd055-f485-4eec-b091-5acb5c3af321.webp)

This is a separate macro from the ordinary diagram, so search for it by name in the insert menu.

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## Two sources

![](https://help.gocapable.com/images/e4fdf4f4-a7ab-4952-9af8-7a08111fead9.webp)

Point the macro at raw source, tell it which language to expect, and the preview renders beside the settings.

| **Source**        | **Use when**                               | **Trade-off**                                    |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------ |
| **A URL**         | The file is produced and hosted elsewhere. | The page depends on that URL staying reachable.  |
| **An attachment** | The file is uploaded to the page.          | Self-contained, but updating means re-uploading. |

## How it differs from a normal diagram

A normal diagram stores its source in your site and is edited in place. This macro points at a file instead, so the file is the source of truth and the Confluence side is read-only.

⚠️

**A URL source is fetched at render time.** If the host is unreachable or blocked by egress rules, the diagram will not render. See [Security and privacy](https://help.gocapable.com/diagrams/security-and-privacy.html).

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## A few things that catch people out

* You cannot edit these in the Capable editor. Edit the source file and re-render.
* URL sources are subject to your site's egress rules, which an admin controls.
* For a diagram that should be editable in Confluence, use a normal diagram instead. See [Insert a diagram](https://help.gocapable.com/diagrams/create-and-insert.html).

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## Related

[Insert a diagramThe editable alternative.](https://help.gocapable.com/diagrams/create-and-insert.html)

[Security and privacyEgress and fetching.](https://help.gocapable.com/diagrams/security-and-privacy.html)

[ReferenceSupported formats.](https://help.gocapable.com/diagrams/reference.html)

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_Point at the source when the source lives elsewhere._