Lucidchart data linking

Make your diagrams dynamic with Lucidchart data linking [+course]

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Data linking allows users to add live data stored in spreadsheets to their shapes and diagrams. When changes are made to the source data, they are automatically reflected in Lucidchart so that diagrams are always up to date. With data linking, you can spend less time maintaining documentation and more time innovating with your team.  

Here’s a closer look at how it works.

Getting started with Lucidchart data linking

Note: This feature requires a Lucidchart Enterprise account. Learn more about Enterprise.

Once you are in the Lucidchart workspace, follow these steps:

  1. Click File > Import Data, or access data linking from the left-side Formatting bar and click “Import Data.”
  2. Follow the prompts to select a data source for import.
  3. Select the file you’d like to import from that source.

Congratulations! You’ve just added data in Lucidchart.

data linking Lucidchart
Need more in-depth instructions for using Lucidchart data linking? Check out our help center article.
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As you spend time building out a full data-linked diagram, here are a few things to note:

  • You can add data to an existing shape. Just drag a line or cell of data onto the shape, then add data as text using the “+T” icon that appears when you hover over a cell in the “Selected Shape Data” menu.
  • Because CSV files are static documents, only changes made to Google Sheets will automatically appear in Lucidchart after import. To refresh information from a CSV, re-upload the file.
  • To link more than one data set, click on the drop-down menu above the imported sheet in the Data Panel, and select “Add New Dataset.” You can also use this panel to toggle between, refresh, replace, or delete linked data sets.
Lucidchart data linking
  • If your source data is color coded, you can choose to apply your color scheme to the diagram you create in Lucidchart. To do so, hover over a data cell in the “Selected Shape Data” menu. Select the menu icon (represented by three dots), and then select “Apply Imported Fill Color.”
  • When you update any data or color schemes on a Google Sheet that have been linked to a diagram, your changes will automatically appear every 30 seconds in Lucidchart. This includes any changes that are triggered by conditional formatting in Google Sheets. You can also manually refresh your data from the Data Panel.

Give data linking a whirl! Open Lucidchart and follow along as you read through these tips and tricks again, or try this interactive training course.

Lucidchart data linking
Get started visualizing your data with an interactive training course.
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Want to take data linking to the next level? Try our more advanced training course.

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About Lucidchart

Lucidchart is the intelligent diagramming application that empowers teams to clarify complexity, align their insights, and build the future—faster. With this intuitive, cloud-based solution, everyone can work visually and collaborate in real time while building flowcharts, mockups, UML diagrams, and more.

The most popular online Visio alternative, Lucidchart is utilized in over 180 countries by millions of users, from sales managers mapping out target organizations to IT directors visualizing their network infrastructure.

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