Migrate from other diagram apps

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There is no one-click path from every other diagram app, but there is a reliable one: export the source and import it. Because Capable reads thirty-one formats, most exports come in as fully editable diagrams rather than as pictures.

The exception is anything exported as a flat image, which cannot be recovered into an editable diagram by anybody.

#When this applies

  • Moving from a diagram app with no direct migration.

  • Bringing in diagrams that live outside Confluence entirely.

  • Consolidating diagrams held in a repository or a shared drive.

#How it works

Step

What happens

draw.io files

Import directly. .drawio, .xml, and .drawio.png all work.

Visio

Re-save as .vsdx in Visio 2013 or later, then import.

Mermaid, PlantUML and the other text languages

Paste the source, or attach the file.

Lucidchart and similar

Export as draw.io XML or Visio where the tool allows it.

Flat images

Cannot be converted. They have no diagram source to read.

#A few things that catch people out

  • Check whether the source tool can export draw.io XML or .vsdx. That is usually the best available path.

  • Legacy Visio binaries (.vsd, .vdx, .vss, .vsx) are not readable. Re-save them first.

  • The full extension list and how the language is decided is in Reference.

Nothing is deleted. Try a dry run.