Delta between Former and Next-Generation Diagram Editors

We have achieved feature parity between the former and Next-Generation Diagram Editors and have entered a transition phase. This page describes the delta for customers who have been/are using the previous Free Draw Editor.

📘
Newly created diagrams can only be edited in the new editor. While importing XML exports from the old editor or draw.io into our new editor is technically possible, please keep in mind that we cannot promise compatibility.

As of September 25, 2023, we notify customers in their workspace that the transition is available. For two weeks after the notification, you can open existing diagrams in the current version or preview them in the Next-Generation Free Draw or Data Flow Editor. If you haven't opted out by the end of the two-week period, all your existing diagrams will open in the new editor without requiring user action or migration.

All diagrams will retain their current names, IDs, URLs, etc., but the "Next-Generation" naming prefix will be removed from the screen for creating new diagrams, and only three options will be available:

Data Flow
Free Draw
Lucidchart Integration

Please note that not all current features will be available or behave the same in the new editor. The respective features are listed in the table below. A notification informs all users of the change when an existing diagram is opened in a new editor. This is our current roadmap; we cannot say today if we add some of these features later.

Feature	Outlook
Changes to drill-downs & roll-ups: display, multiple relations and functionality	Drill-downs and roll-ups from the former editor will look and behave slightly differently in the new editor. As one of the added benefits, drill-down and roll-up containers in the new editor will eventually be fully synced with the inventory to provide automated updates. Since a new diagram can include both newly created containers with potential sync in the future and containers without a sync carried over from existing diagrams, there are two differences in their functionality you should be aware of: 1. Drill-down and roll-up containers look different when shown in the new editor. Instead of rounded edges and a white background, they will have squared edges and a gray background to distinguish them visually from new containers. The italic Fact Sheet name is another indicator also visible when a container is collapsed. 2. You can't apply manual changes to container content anymore because it would create an out-of-sync status. This also means the containers can't include different Fact Sheet types. The content of containers will remain unchanged. The only difference is that creating un-synced containers with drill-downs or roll-ups on new diagrams is no longer possible. If you want to sync containers moved over from existing diagrams, follow these steps: 1. For containers with one drill-down: Re-apply the drill-downs manually with a few clicks. Leverage the 'Drill-down/Roll-up by Filter' option if certain Fact Sheets were removed. 2. For containers with multiple drill-downs: Replace containers with a drill-down to multiple Fact Sheet types by adding the exact Fact Sheet numerous times and applying the drill-down to the other Fact Sheet types side-by-side. The 'Show dependencies' option without containers can be leveraged as an alternative.
Next-Generation Data Flow Diagrams: Automatic Switch to Manual Layout and Reactivating Preferred Alignment Modes	While keeping the visual representation of content in Next-Generation Data Flow diagrams precisely aligned with the previous diagrams, the technology update doesn’t allow us to maintain them in their selected layout mode. This means that Data Flow diagrams previously set to ‘Vertical Flow’ or ‘Horizontal Flow’ will automatically be switched to ‘Manual Layout’ in Next-Generation Data Flow. You can reactivate the layout mode if you prefer one of the alignment layouts over the exact positioning of shapes on the diagram.
Built-in view: Technology Risk	The new editor will not re-implement the Built-in view: Technology Risk. This feature is deprecated and will be replaced in the new editor by Obsolescence views. Obsolescence views provide a more comprehensive and up-to-date approach to technology risk management, enabling users to identify and manage the risks associated with obsolete technology components. The decision not to reimplement the Built-in: Technology Risk view reflects our commitment to providing users with the most effective and efficient features and tools.
Aggregate interfaces	The new editor will not re-implement the beta feature Aggregate Interfaces. This feature was a beta implementation in the old version of the editor and was never fully released. While it may have been useful in some scenarios, it did not meet our standards, and the decision was made not to include it in the new editor.
Custom styles for Fact Sheets	The new editor will not re-implement the beta feature Custom styles for Fact Sheets. This feature was a beta implementation in the old version of the editor and was never fully released. While it may have been useful in some scenarios, it did not meet our standards, and the decision was made not to include it in the new editor.