# Excalidraw editor

Excalidraw draws in a hand-sketched style, and that is a feature rather than a limitation. A polished diagram signals a decision; a sketch invites argument.

![image-20260907-082834.png](https://help.gocapable.com/images/ab316b2d-8df7-4ed3-b412-2b6f89f62118.webp)

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## When to reach for it

| **Good for**                                             | **Not good for**                                                                                                       |
| -------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Workshop output and whiteboard photos you want to redraw | Anything going in front of a customer                                                                                  |
| An RFC where the design is still being argued about      | Reference documentation people rely on                                                                                 |
| Explaining an idea quickly in a comment                  | Diagrams with strict notation requirements                                                                             |
| Using a graphics tablet/iPad                             | You can draw with the Apple Pencil, or with a stylus. This is really handy for conferences where you are taking notes. |

## Libraries

Excalidraw has its own library format, separate from draw.io's. See [Excalidraw shape libraries](https://help.gocapable.com/diagrams/shapes-and-icons.html).

![The Add library panel searching for AWS, listing AWS Architecture Icons, AWS Serverless Icons, AWS Simple Icons, Cloud and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Icons.](https://help.gocapable.com/images/ca7cfe68-cbcc-4670-997a-4a818a4bee30.webp)

Searching the public list turns up ready made sets such as AWS, Oracle Cloud and general cloud symbols.

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## A few things that catch people out

* The sketch style is not configurable per shape. If you need it to look formal, you picked the wrong editor.
* Excalidraw source is JSON and can get large with many freehand strokes.
* Fonts render from a bundled set, so a diagram looks the same for everyone regardless of their machine.

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## Related

[Choose an editorWhen a sketch beats a drawing.](https://help.gocapable.com/diagrams/editors.html)

[Shapes and iconsExcalidraw libraries.](https://help.gocapable.com/diagrams/shapes-and-icons.html)

[ExamplesSketches worth copying.](https://help.gocapable.com/diagrams/examples.html)

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_Rough on purpose, so people still argue with it._