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yEd

yEd is a free, cross-platform desktop application developed by yWorks for quickly creating, importing, editing, and automatically arranging high-quality diagrams using intuitive tools and advanced algorithms. It supports manual diagram construction alongside automated features for generating visuals from external data sources, making it suitable for a wide range of diagramming needs such as flowcharts, organization charts, UML diagrams, and network layouts. Key capabilities include importing data from Excel (.xls) or XML files, an easy-to-use interface for element placement and customization, and automatic arrangement options powered by sophisticated graph layout algorithms. yEd enables exporting diagrams to multiple formats, including PNG, JPG, SVG, and PDF, facilitating integration with other applications and publishing workflows. The software runs on Windows, macOS, and Unix/Linux operating systems, provided a Java Runtime Environment (JRE) is installed, and is implemented as a pure Java Swing application. Developed by yWorks , a software company established in 2000 as a spin-off from the with roots in a 1998 university project on graph visualization, yEd leverages the proprietary yFiles diagramming library and JIDE UI components for its functionality. The latest version, 3.25.1, includes security updates and enhanced support for importing diagrams created with yEd. Complementing the desktop version, yEd Live offers a browser-based alternative that operates on any modern HTML5-capable platform without requiring installation. yEd also integrates with tools like for collaborative diagram management in enterprise environments.

Overview

Description

yEd is a free desktop application designed for creating, importing, editing, and automatically arranging high-quality diagrams. It supports a variety of diagram types, including flowcharts, Unified Modeling Language (UML) diagrams, Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) models, and network diagrams, making it suitable for visualizing complex information in fields such as software engineering, business analysis, and IT infrastructure planning. The tool features a multi-document interface that enables users to work on multiple diagrams simultaneously within a single workspace, enhancing productivity for tasks involving related visualizations. Built using the Java programming language, yEd ensures cross-platform compatibility, running seamlessly on Windows, macOS, and Unix/Linux systems as long as a Java Runtime Environment is installed. This design emphasizes accessibility and ease of use, particularly for non-programmers and professionals who require intuitive tools for diagram creation without deep technical expertise. Developed by , yEd is distributed as , allowing gratis use by single users for personal or professional purposes without any licensing fees. Its core strengths lie in combining manual editing flexibility with automated arrangement options, providing a balance of control and efficiency for users seeking professional-grade outputs.

Licensing and Platforms

yEd is distributed under a that permits use for both non-commercial and purposes, allowing licensees to install and use a single copy of the software as an application for creation. This , provided by , is non-exclusive and non-transferable, emphasizing the software's nature without any rights to redistribution beyond maintaining one backup copy. Use in automated processes is also prohibited. The core of yEd is built on the yFiles diagramming library, which operates under commercial licensing terms, and while the application includes some third-party components licensed under open-source agreements such as Apache License 2.0 (e.g., and Batik SVG Toolkit), the overall software remains with no open-source components in its primary . Modification, , decompiling, or deriving from yEd is strictly prohibited under the agreement. yEd requires a Java Runtime Environment (JRE) version 8 or higher to run, leveraging 's cross-platform capabilities to support Windows, macOS, and Unix/ operating systems without necessitating native installation beyond the JRE. Installers bundled with an appropriate version (e.g., 23.0.1 for Windows and , 21.0.5 for macOS) are available for download directly from the official yWorks website, facilitating easy setup on major platforms.

Features

Supported Diagram Types

yEd supports a variety of diagram types through its extensive palette of predefined symbols and shapes, enabling users to create diagrams manually via drag-and-drop operations or with semi-automated assistance. These include standard notations for modeling processes, systems, and structures, with palettes tailored to specific domains such as and . Flowcharts are a core diagram type in yEd, used for and visualizing workflows, decision points, and sequential steps. Users can construct them by dragging process nodes, decision diamonds, and connectors from the palette, as seen in examples of business workflows or algorithm representations. For instance, creating a simple flowchart involves placing start/end ovals, action rectangles, and arrow-edged lines to depict a basic approval process. Unified Modeling Language (UML) diagrams are fully supported, including class diagrams for object-oriented design, sequence diagrams for interaction flows, and diagrams for system requirements. These are built using dedicated UML palettes with symbols like classes, actors, and lifelines, facilitating and analysis. UML support allows for precise representation of relationships such as and associations in class diagrams. Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) diagrams enable the creation of standardized business process models, incorporating elements like tasks, gateways, events, and pools. yEd's BPMN palette provides symbols compliant with BPMN 2.0, suitable for modeling operational workflows in enterprises. Use cases include diagramming or processes. Network diagrams are designed for IT infrastructure visualization, featuring symbols for routers, servers, switches, and cloud elements to map connections and topologies. These diagrams help in planning and documenting computer networks or system architectures. Mind maps and organization charts address hierarchical structures, with mind maps using radial layouts for brainstorming ideas and organization charts employing tree-like formats for corporate hierarchies. yEd's palettes include central topics, branches, and sub-branches for mind maps, while org charts use boxes and lines to show reporting lines. diagrams support , with notations like Crow's Foot for cardinalities between entities and relationships. Users drag entity rectangles and relationship diamonds from the palette to model data schemas. Common applications include conceptual for relational databases. While manual creation is emphasized, yEd's automatic layout features can enhance arrangement for these diagram types once elements are placed.

Automatic Layout

yEd provides a suite of built-in automatic layout algorithms that arrange elements such as nodes and edges with minimal user intervention, enabling the creation of clear and aesthetically pleasing visualizations from imported or manually created . These algorithms compute optimal positions and paths based on structure, supporting efficient production for various applications. The force-based, or , layout simulates physical forces like and repulsion between s to achieve a natural, balanced arrangement that highlights clusters and symmetries while minimizing edge crossings and ensuring uniform edge lengths. It is particularly suited for general graphs, such as networks or bioinformatics diagrams, where an organic appearance is desired. Key parameters include node sizing options for compact placement, straight-line or polyline edge routing to avoid overlaps, and support for grouping to preserve hierarchical structures during arrangement. For directed acyclic graphs (DAGs), the hierarchical layout organizes into discrete layers, directing most edges from top to bottom or left to right to reduce crossings and emphasize flow. This style is ideal for workflows, entity-relationship models, or UML diagrams. Parameters allow for automatic node sizing based on content, edge routing via orthogonal, polyline, or octilinear styles, and grouping to maintain nested hierarchies. The orthogonal layout routes edges exclusively in horizontal and vertical segments, producing grid-like diagrams with few bends and no overlaps, which enhances for structured visuals. It works well for flowcharts, diagrams, or database schemas. Adjustable parameters encompass node sizing for flexibility, orthogonal edge routing to minimize crossings, and grouping capabilities for . Tree layout algorithms arrange hierarchical data in rooted structures, supporting styles like radial or standard to visualize parent-child relationships without cycles. Commonly applied to organizational charts or representations, it features parameters for customizable sizing, routing options including straight-line or orthogonal paths, and grouping via subtrees for complex hierarchies. These algorithms, derived from the yFiles diagramming library developed by yWorks, can be applied with a single click via yEd's Layout menu to any , including those imported in or built ly. They accommodate key customizations such as sizing, routing preferences, and grouping support across all styles, allowing users to tailor results to specific diagram types like UML without manual repositioning.

Data Import and Export

yEd supports a variety of formats to facilitate the creation of diagrams from external sources, enabling users to convert structured into visual representations such as nodes and edges. Key formats include spreadsheets (.xls), which use a to transform tabular into or diagrams, allowing customization of node labels, properties, and styling during the process. The GEDCOM format (.ged) is specifically supported for importing genealogical to generate diagrams automatically. Additionally, text-based formats like GML (.gml) and TGF (.tgf), as well as the YGF (.ygf), can be imported to load existing structures. For more flexible data integration, yEd handles generic XML files through XSLT transformations that convert them into the GraphML format, with predefined stylesheets available for specific schemas such as build scripts and ontologies. The native format for yEd is (.graphml), an XML-based standard that preserves all diagram properties, including custom attributes, styles, and layout information, making it ideal for saving and loading editable diagrams. During imports, yEd performs automatic conversions, mapping imported data to graph elements like nodes and edges, while providing options to apply predefined or user-defined styles to enhance visual consistency. On the export side, yEd offers multiple formats to share or publish diagrams, ranging from raster images to and text-based representations. Bitmap exports include , , , and , suitable for standard image sharing, with support for splitting large diagrams into multiple images or HTML tables for better manageability. such as , , , and preserve scalability and quality, with and additionally embedding hyperlinks and tooltips for interactive use. HTML export generates image maps that retain clickable elements from the diagram. For text-based outputs, yEd can export to GML and TGF, which provide simple, human-readable representations of the graph structure without visual styling. These export capabilities ensure diagrams can be integrated into documents, web pages, or further processed in other tools, while the native format maintains full editability upon reloading.

Development

Company Background

yWorks was founded in 2000 as a spin-off from the Eberhard Karls in , emerging from an academic project on that originated in 1998 at the university. This academic foundation laid the groundwork for the company's expertise in computational methods for visualizing complex structures, transitioning from research initiatives to commercial software development. Headquartered in , yWorks has maintained its base in this university town, fostering close ties to ongoing academic advancements in . The company specializes in graph visualization software, with its flagship yFiles library serving as the core technology that powers tools like yEd for diagram creation and editing. yFiles encompasses advanced algorithms for automatic , interaction, and analysis of diagrams and networks, addressing challenges in representing hierarchical, organic, and circular structures efficiently. yWorks employs a team of over 30 professionals, more than 20 of whom are developers dedicated to refining these algorithms, accumulating over 70 development years in techniques alone since the company's inception. By blending rigorous academic research with practical commercial products, yWorks has driven innovation in data visualization for over 25 years, enabling professionals across industries to handle large-scale graphs and networks with precision and interactivity. This dual approach has positioned the company as a leader in diagramming solutions, emphasizing scalable, high-performance tools derived from foundational and algorithmic research.

Release History

yEd was initially released in 2007 as a free desktop graph editor built on the yFiles library, providing users with tools for manual diagram creation and basic automatic layouts. In its early years, the software emphasized core functionalities like hierarchical, orthogonal, and organic layout algorithms, with incremental improvements to support a wider range of diagram types. Significant enhancements began appearing in the , including BPMN 2.0 symbol support introduced in version 3.9 around 2011, which expanded its utility for . Later updates refined XML import and export capabilities, enabling better integration with external data sources and standards like . Development has shifted toward since approximately 2020, with regular minor releases focusing on Java runtime compatibility, performance optimizations, and bug fixes rather than sweeping new features. For instance, 3.24, released on June 24, 2024, updated embedded Java environments to 22.0.1 for Windows and (and 21.0.3 for macOS) while adding previews for edge templates. 3.25 followed in January 2025, incorporating Java runtime improvements and enhanced import support for diagrams from yEd Live. The patch release 3.25.1, issued on February 20, 2025, addressed vulnerabilities by updating the XMLBeans library and included further refinements to Java . As of November 2025, yEd remains actively maintained through these ongoing updates, ensuring compatibility with modern platforms.

Related Tools

yEd Live

yEd Live is a free, browser-based diagram editor developed by yWorks, launched in 2016 as the web counterpart to the desktop yEd application. Accessible directly at yworks.com/yed-live without requiring any installation or software dependencies, it enables users to create, import, edit, and automatically arrange entirely within modern web browsers such as , , and . Unlike the desktop version, which relies on , yEd Live operates locally in the browser to ensure data privacy, with no server-side processing unless users opt to save files to cloud services. The core functionality of yEd Live centers on diagram creation with support for various and styles, basic automatic layout algorithms including hierarchic, organic, and tree-based arrangements, and import/export in format for compatibility with other yWorks tools. It provides intuitive tools for drawing flowcharts, diagrams, UML, and BPMN notations, but lacks advanced import options available in the desktop yEd, such as direct with Excel spreadsheets or Visio files. This makes yEd Live particularly suited for quick, lightweight diagramming tasks where full-featured data is not essential, emphasizing ease of access over comprehensive data handling. Key advantages of yEd Live include its elimination of Java dependencies, allowing seamless use on any device with a compatible , and support for collaboration through integration with cloud storage providers like , , , and Gists, enabling file sharing for collaborative workflows. Powered by the yFiles for library, it delivers high-performance rendering without compromising on visual quality. In 2023, yEd Live introduced AI enhancements via integration, allowing users to generate diagrams from text prompts—such as describing a process flow—and edit elements through conversational inputs, streamlining creation for non-experts in fields like project planning and data visualization. By 2025, these AI features have been expanded to include voice inputs and more intuitive editing capabilities.

Integration with yFiles

yEd is constructed on top of yFiles, a development kit (SDK) developed by yWorks for , editing, and analysis across multiple platforms including , .NET (WinForms and WPF), (HTML), and . This foundational integration allows yEd to leverage yFiles' robust capabilities as a standalone desktop application, providing users with advanced diagramming features without requiring direct SDK implementation. The core integration involves yFiles supplying the underlying graph data model, automatic layout algorithms, and rendering engine that power yEd's functionality. Developers can extend yEd's features or develop entirely new applications by incorporating yFiles, enabling customization of structures, interactive editing, and visualization tailored to specific needs. For instance, yFiles facilitates the embedding of yEd-like diagramming tools into larger software ecosystems, supporting seamless data flow from sources such as or databases. Common use cases for this integration include network analysis applications, where yFiles' algorithms handle complex graph computations and visualizations, and business process modeling (BPMN) editors that require precise diagram arrangement and interaction. In contrast to yEd's freeware licensing model, which permits unrestricted personal and non-commercial use under the yEd Software License Agreement, yFiles requires paid commercial licenses for integration into proprietary applications, positioning yEd as an effective demonstration of the SDK's potential.

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