Use assisted layout to effortlessly organize content into swim lanes, Containers, and Frames with one click. This feature automatically aligns objects for a clean, structured workspace by snapping items into a grid pattern and adjusting container size as you add or remove content. Assisted layout is also available to use on AI-generated diagrams. Read this article to learn how assisted layout can optimize the appearance and organization of your Lucid document.

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Enable assisted layout

Assisted layout organizes content into an adjustable grid pattern within Frames, Containers, and swim lanes, automatically adjusting space as needed when content is added or removed. The steps to enable assisted layout for Frames, Containers, and swim lanes differ in each Lucid product. Check out the sections below for steps in Lucidchart and Lucidspark.

Note: While most images and examples in this article are from Lucidspark, you can expect similar functionality in Lucidchart.

In Lucidchart

To enable assisted layout in Lucidchart, follow these steps:

Select the border of a Frame, Container, or swim lane on the canvas.
Click Apply assisted layout from the Contextual Panel to the far right of the canvas.

Existing items in the Frame, Container, or swim lane will automatically snap into a grid pattern. For further customization options, check out the Adjust the layout section below.

In Lucidspark

To enable assisted layout in Lucidspark, follow these steps:

Click the border of a Frame, Container, or swim lane on the board.
Select the Assisted layout icon from the context menu that appears.
Click Apply assisted layout.

Existing items in the Frame, Container, or swim lane will automatically rearrange into a grid pattern. For further customization options, check out the Adjust the layout section below.

Adjust the layout

After generating a diagram with AI or enabling assisted layout for a Frame, Container, or swim lane, you can add more content and customize the spacing and placement of each object. Read the sections below for more details.

Add new content

Once assisted layout is enabled, add new content by dragging it into the Frame, Container, or swim lane.

Drop the object over a dark line to insert the object to a new row or column.
Drop the object over a shaded dropzone to add the object to an existing space.

frames-showing-how-to-add-new-content-using-assisted-layout.png

Precision placement

To place an object in an exact spot in a Frame, Container, or swim lane with assisted layout enabled, use precision placement. This allows you to temporarily turn off grid snapping, so you can place a shape exactly where you want it.

To use precision placement, follow these steps:

Select an object.
Hold Ctrl (PC) or Command (Mac) on your keyboard, then drag the object into place.

A dotted line will appear showing which grid cell or existing object your new object will anchor to. When you anchor it to an existing object, the two become grouped which means moving the original object within the Frame, Container, or swim lane will automatically move the new one with it.

how-to-use-precision-placement-with-a-frame-that-has-assisted-layout-enabled-in-lucidspark.gif

Tip: When dragging an object into a Frame, Container, or swim lane that has assisted layout enabled, hover your cursor over a specific location for two seconds to activate precision placement instead of using the keyboard shortcut above.

Adjust spacing between objects

To increase or decrease space between objects, follow these steps:

Select the border of a Frame, Container, or swim lane on the canvas.
Click and drag the lines that appear between objects horizontally or vertically to add or remove space.
- Hold the Shift key on your keyboard while dragging the lines to lock the aspect ratio.

how-to-adjust-spacing-in-a-frame-that-has-assisted-layout-enabled-in-lucidspark.gif

You can also adjust spacing from the assisted layout menu by using the up and down arrows or by entering a new number value.

use-number-dropdowns-to-adjust-assisted-layout-spacing.png

Rearrange objects

To swap the placement of two objects, drag and drop one object on top of another.

animation-showing-a-square-switching-places-with-a-circle-when-dragged-on-top-of-it.gif

Note: When rearranging objects, lines stay in place and automatically snap to the new shape.

Disable auto line routing

When using assisted layout, auto line routing is enabled by default which snaps lines into the optimal path and avoids overlap with other objects. To disable auto line routing, follow the steps below.

In Lucidchart

Select the border of a Frame, Container, or swim lane that has assisted layout enabled.
From the Contextual Panel that opens on the right-hand side of the canvas, click Auto line routing to toggle it off.
- “Auto line routing” is highlighted in purple when enabled.

In Lucidspark
Click the border of a Frame, Container, or swim lane that has assisted layout enabled.

Select the Assisted layout icon from the context menu that appears.
Click Auto line routing to toggle it off.
- “Auto line routing” is highlighted in purple when enabled.

Quickly clean up lines

If you have auto line routing disabled, you can do a quick, one-time clean up of existing lines in your Frame, Container, or swim lane. To do so, follow the steps below.

In Lucidchart

Select the border of a Frame, Container, or swim lane that has assisted layout enabled.
From the Contextual Panel that opens on the right-hand side of the canvas, click the Quick cleanup lines icon to the right of “Auto line routing”.

In Lucidspark

Click the border of a Frame, Container, or swim lane that has assisted layout enabled.
Select the Assisted layout icon from the context menu that appears.
Click the Quick cleanup lines icon to the right of “Auto line routing”.

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