Capital University of Science & Technology, Islamabad

Department of Computer Science,

Faculty of Computing

Week 06. Lab 6: Introduction to Introduction to DrawIo

1
 Lab 6: Introduction to DrawIo

1. Introduction
Draw.io is a powerful, intuitive online diagramming tool that allows users to create a wide variety of visual
representations, including flowcharts, network diagrams, UML diagrams, mind maps, and more. Equipped
with a rich set of features, Draw.io enables users to visually communicate complex information, simplifying
the presentation of intricate ideas and processes. The tool’s versatility and ease of use make it popular in
fields like software development, business process modeling, and education, where clear, organized visuals
are essential to enhance comprehension and streamline communication.

In this lab, you will learn how to build flowcharts from scratch using Draw.io’s user-friendly interface.
You’ll start by managing shapes and connectors, customizing each element to fit the logical flow of a
process. The lab will also cover formatting techniques to ensure that your diagrams are both clear and
visually appealing. Finally, you will learn to save and export your work in multiple formats, making it easy
to include your diagrams in reports, presentations, or academic submissions.

By the end of this lab, you will have developed a solid proficiency in using Draw.io to create professional-
quality diagrams. This skill will not only elevate the visual quality of your work but will also enhance its
clarity and impact, allowing you to communicate your ideas with precision and effectiveness across various
contexts. Whether for personal projects, business presentations, or academic reports, your newfound skills
in Draw.io will be a valuable asset in visually organizing and presenting information.

2. Activity Time boxing

Table 1.1: Activity Time Boxing

Task No. Activity Name Activity time Total Time

3 Quiz 25 min 25 min
7.2 Setting-up DrawIo 5 min 5 min
7.3 Walkthrough Tasks 60 min 60 min
8 Practice tasks 30 min 60 min

3. Quiz [Expected time = 25 minutes]

4. Objective
• Learn to create and arrange shapes for flowcharts.
• Understand connectors, arrows, and labels for building logical flows.
• Explore formatting options to enhance diagram clarity.
• Learn how to save and export diagrams in various formats.

2
5. Concept Map
In this lab, you’ll learn the essential elements of Draw.io that form the foundation for creating effective
flowcharts. You’ll work with basic shapes, connectors, and formatting tools to logically structure your
flowcharts and enhance their visual appeal. Additionally, you’ll explore how to save and export your
diagrams for use in reports, presentations, or other documents.
A flowchart typically uses six fundamental symbols to represent different parts of a program or process.
The Terminal symbol marks the Start and End of a flowchart, indicating where the process begins and
concludes. The Process symbol represents individual steps or actions within the flow. Input/Output
symbols are used to show where data is entered or output from the process, while the Decision symbol
identifies points where a choice or condition must be met, leading to different branches in the flow. The
Connector symbol is useful for linking different parts of a flowchart, especially when the chart is too large
for a single page. Finally, the Predefined Process symbol refers to a subroutine or group of actions
defined elsewhere, streamlining complex processes.

These six symbols cover the core elements of flowcharting, providing a practical and simplified approach
to structuring processes. Although many other symbols exist for specialized cases, focusing on these
essentials will equip you with a solid foundation for creating and interpreting flowcharts in Draw.io.
6. Homework before Lab
Setting up draw.io
• draw.io is available as a web application at https://app.diagrams.net/?libs=general;uml or as a
desktop app. Ensure you have access to it before the lab.
• Familiarize yourself with common flowchart symbols, such as Process (rectangle), Decision
(diamond), and Start/End (oval).

7. Procedure & Tools [Expected time = 5 min]

7.1 Tools
• Desktop Computer
• Internet Browser or Desktop Version of draw.io
• A sample flowchart to replicate in draw.io

7.2 Setting-up Microsoft Word 2007

7.2.1 Open draw.io

• Go to https://app.diagrams.net/ in your browser or launch the desktop application. Click on Create

New Diagram

• Select where you want to save your work (choose local storage for the lab).
• To start your project, set an appropriate name for the diagram that reflects the content you'll be
creating. While you may see a variety of templates in the figure below, for this lab, you will be
building your diagram from the ground up. Click on 'Blank Diagram' to begin with a clean canvas
and follow the steps outlined.
 • Create a new file and give it a name that reflects the content (e.g., "Flowchart Lab").

7.2.2 Walk Through Task for MS Word [Expected time = 30

minutes]
This section guides you through creating and customizing a flowchart in draw.io.
Adding Shapes
1. Adding Start/End Shapes:
o In the left sidebar, navigate to the "General" shapes section.

o Drag an Oval shape to the canvas. This will serve as your Start shape.
o After placing the shape, click on it once to activate the customization panel on the right side of
your screen.
o Select a shape, then use the format options in the right sidebar to change fill and border colors.
o Use the customization options to adjust the color, size, and text of the shape as desired to
improve visibility and alignment.
o Double-click on the shape to label it “Start.”
2. Adding Process Shapes:
o Drag a Rectangle (Process shape) onto the canvas to represent steps in the process.
o Label each process step by double-clicking on the shape.

3. Adding Decision Points:

o Drag a Diamond shape for decisions.
o Add Contactors and other specific shapes. Hover over the shape you want to connect from.
Small arrows will appear on each side.
o Click and drag from an arrow to the next shape to create a connector line.
o Double-click on a connector to add text (e.g., “Yes” or “No” for decision branches).
 4. Adding End Shapes:
o Drag another Oval shape for the End step.
o Label it “End.”

Aligning and Distributing Shapes:

o Use the alignment tools to ensure that shapes are aligned vertically or horizontally, creating
a clean and organized flowchart.

Saving and Exporting Diagrams [Expected time = 5 min]

Saving in draw.io Format:
o Go to File > Save As and select the save location and file name.
o This saves your work in a .drawio format, allowing for future edits.
o Or Go to File > Export As to export your diagram in various formats, such as PNG, JPEG,
PDF, or SVG.
o Choose the format based on your needs. PNG or PDF are recommended for sharing in
documents or presentations.
 8. Practice Tasks
1. Design a flowchart that takes three numbers as input and outputs the maximum number.
2. Create a flowchart that allows a user to input a number and checks if the number is even or
odd.
3. Draw a flowchart that calculates the factorial of a number entered by the user
4. Draw a flowchart that checks if a given number is prime.
5. Design a flowchart that takes a student's score as input and outputs a grade (A, B, C, D, or F)
based on score ranges.

9. Evaluation Criteria

Task Marks (%)

Correct use of shapes and connectors 30%
Proper labeling and diagram structure 30%
Formatting and design consistency 20%
Saving and exporting diagrams 20%

10. Further Reading

1. Online Tutorials: Refer to the draw.io tutorials available on the website under the "Help"
section.
2. Books: "Visualizing Information with Draw.io" – This book provides advanced techniques
for creating complex diagrams and managing large projects with draw.io.