Copying a draw.io diagram in Confluence allows you to create a new, independent version of an existing diagram, which you can then modify without affecting the original. This is particularly useful for creating variations, archiving specific states, or collaborating on different branches of a design.
Steps to Duplicate a draw.io Diagram
To make a copy of a draw.io diagram within Confluence, you will use the draw.io Diagram macro to reference an existing diagram and save it under a new name. This process effectively creates a distinct, editable copy.
Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Navigate to Your Confluence Page: Open the Confluence page where you want the copied diagram to reside. This can be the same page as the original or an entirely new page.
- Enter Edit Mode: Click the "Edit" button (usually represented by a pencil icon) to put the Confluence page into edit mode.
- Insert the draw.io Diagram Macro:
- Place your cursor where you want the new diagram to appear.
- Type
/draw.ioor click the+icon (Insert more content) and search for "draw.io Diagram" in the macro suggestions. - Select the
draw.io Diagrammacro.
- Select the Diagram to Copy:
- In the draw.io diagram selection dialog that appears, choose the diagram you wish to duplicate.
- For recently updated diagrams, click on the Recent tab to quickly find them. You can also use the search function if you know the diagram's name.
- Once you've located the diagram, click on it to select it.
- Rename the Diagram:
- Before proceeding, locate the Diagram Name field within the dialog.
- Crucially, edit this name to something new and distinct (e.g., "Original Diagram - V2" or "Project Flowchart - Draft"). Changing the name here is what tells Confluence and draw.io to create a new, separate file rather than just inserting the original diagram.
- Create the Copy:
- After renaming the diagram, click the Create button.
- The new, copied diagram will be inserted into your Confluence page in edit mode. It will open in the draw.io editor, allowing you to begin making changes immediately.
- Save the Confluence Page:
- Make any necessary edits to the copied diagram and save it within the draw.io editor.
- Finally, save your Confluence page to publish the changes and embed the new diagram.
Practical Considerations
When copying diagrams, keep the following insights in mind:
- Version Control: Copying is a simple form of manual version control. For more robust versioning, consider using Confluence's page history or draw.io's built-in revision history (though copying creates a truly independent file).
- Permissions: The copied diagram will inherit the permissions of the Confluence page it's embedded on. Ensure users have appropriate view/edit access.
- Linked Diagrams: If your original diagram contained links to other draw.io diagrams or external pages, these links will generally be preserved in the copy. Review them to ensure they still point to the desired targets, especially if you also copied the linked diagrams.
- Organizing Copies: Use clear and descriptive naming conventions for your copied diagrams to avoid confusion, especially if you have many variations of similar diagrams.
Why Copy a Diagram?
There are several common scenarios where copying a draw.io diagram in Confluence is beneficial:
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| New Versioning | Create a new iteration (e.g., "v2", "Final Review") without altering the original. |
| "What If" Scenarios | Experiment with different design options or flows without impacting the primary diagram. |
| Templates | Use an existing diagram as a starting point for new, similar diagrams. |
| Parallel Development | Allow different teams or individuals to work on variations of a diagram simultaneously. |
| Archiving | Preserve a specific state of a diagram before significant changes are made to the original. |
| Demonstrations/Training | Create simplified or example versions of complex diagrams for training or presentation purposes. |
By following these steps, you can efficiently duplicate your draw.io diagrams in Confluence, gaining flexibility and control over your documentation and design processes.
