Select a diagram layout

Important 

In Collibra 2025.06, we launched a new user interface (UI) for Diagrams in the latest UI! You can learn more about this new diagram UI in About diagrams.

Use the following options to see the documentation for the new diagram UI or for the old diagram UI:

You can select a diagram layout to change the way nodes are shown in a diagram.

Layouts determine the location of nodes and edges of a diagram, but do not change which nodes and edges are displayed.

You can select a layout in the toolbar of the editor.

Layout Description
Hierarchy left - right Nodes and edges are shown in a flow, mostly from left to right. This is the default layout.
Flow / Context

Nodes and edges are shown in a flow and a context region. In the flow region, nodes are shown mostly from left to right. The context region is shown above the flow region. The edges that begin or end with a node in the context region are shown with less emphasis (thinner and light gray).

You can choose which nodes are in the context region by selecting the Context checkbox in the Node Properties section. If there are no nodes in the context region, the Flow / Context layout produces the same result as Hierarchy left - right.

Note For an edge between a flow node and a context node, the "from" node must be in the flow region and the "to" node in the context region.
Hierarchy top - down Nodes and edges are shown in a flow, from top to bottom.
Hierarchy bottom - up Nodes and edges are shown in a flow, from bottom to top.
Circular

Nodes and edges are arranged in a circular fashion.

Boxing nodes aren't supported in this layout. Therefore:

  • The diagram is completely redrawn.
  • The explored nodes are removed from the diagram.
  • The nodes expand or collapse to their initial state.
  • Returning to a layout that supports boxing nodes completely redraws the diagram.
Radial

Nodes and edges are shown in a radial fashion, with no overlaps, few edge crossings, and few bends.

Boxing nodes aren't supported in the Radial layout. This has the same consequences as those described for the Circular layout.
Smart Organic Nodes and edges are distributed in a well-balanced manner, with few edge crossings.

Steps

  1. Open the diagram.
  2. In the Layout field, select the required layout.
  3. On the toolbar, in the layout drop-down list, select the required layout.

Tip You can go back to the initial diagram by clicking Refresh icon. Note that this action discards all your changes.