Add a diagram key in Lucidchart

Improve the clarity of your Lucidchart diagrams by adding a diagram key. You can add one or more diagram keys to any page in Lucidchart. Read on to learn more.

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Add a diagram key

To add a diagram key:

Locate the Standard shape library in the Shape menu.
Drag the diagram key shape onto the canvas.

Tip: If you have already created a diagram in Lucidchart, you can quickly add a diagram key by clicking Create diagram key at the bottom of the “Shapes in Use” shape library, located on the upper-left side of the workspace.

Customize a diagram key

Add a title

To add a title to a diagram key:

Select a diagram key shape on the canvas.
Click the title, “Diagram Key.”
Type a new name for the selected diagram key.

Name a key item

To name key items in your diagram key:

Select a diagram key shape on the canvas.
Click the field name.
Type a new name for the key item.

Change a color

To change the colors in your diagram key:

Select a diagram key shape on the canvas.
Select the circle to the left of a key item.
Choose a color from the options.

Add or change a key item shape

Add a shape
To add a shape to your diagram key, drag and drop a shape from the canvas or a shape library onto the diagram key shape.

Note: Diagram keys can include basic shapes—including flowchart shapes, mind map shapes, and sticky notes. Other shapes may not be supported. Lines and arrows are not supported.

Change an existing shape
To change an existing shape on your diagram key:

Select a diagram key shape on the canvas.
Select the shape to the left of a key item.
Click Shapes at the top of the menu that appears.
Choose a shape from the “Shapes in Use” section.

Note: You can only use each color and shape combination once in a diagram key.

Add more key items

To add more key items to your diagram key:

Select a diagram key shape on the canvas.
Click Add item at the bottom-left of the shape.
Choose a color for the item from the color panel that appears.

Remove a key item

To remove a key item from your diagram key:

Select a diagram key shape on the canvas.
Click X to the right of the key item.

Reorder key items

To change the order of the key items in a diagram key:

Select a diagram key shape on the canvas.
Click the six-dot icon to the left of a key item and drag it to a new place in the list.

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