Inspiration

Since I teach High School with a LMS delivery system ( Canvas ), I’ve been using Lucid to solve a problem that has plagued me for years.  How does one create a “digital” activity for Lab Based Experimentation that often requires multi-media formats?Since my new friend Lucidspark came on the scene, I’ve been able to create one stop shopping boards to meet the unique needs of a Scientific Lab Report.  Lucid allows me to include video content, background text, instructions, links to other documents / web pages, as well as include tables, charts, illustrations and spreadsheets.  All of this in one single format for teaching and grading within the Canvas LMS System grade book.  There’s no need to toggle back and forth between different document types ( text vs. spreadsheets  etc. ) and have multiple file uploads. The Frames and Pathway features allow me to instruct students; moving from item to item ( Introductory Information,  instructions, Data tables, Graphs, resource materials, Q &

If you’ve ever needed to filter your diagram data with high precision, lambda syntax is the key. This video breaks down how to use these powerful functions to sort, filter, and count specific subsets of information within your documents.What you’ll learn:How to understand the basic concept and application of lambda syntax within the Lucid formula engine. How to use simple filters to return specific values, like even or odd numbers, from an array. How to apply lambdas to real-world org charts to count employees based on specific attributes like geographic location. How to combine the filter function with custom logic to create highly specific data summaries.⚙️ A note on the UIThis video was produced around 2024. While the Lucid interface has evolved since then, the syntax and logic for writing lambda functions remain consistent and fully supported.Are you ready to try advanced formulas? Let us know what custom logic you're building in the comments! 

Keeping track of open roles across a growing company can be a moving target. This video shows you how to combine org charts with dynamic shapes to create a live dashboard that counts filled versus vacant positions automatically.What you’ll learn:How to use the descendants of page formula to capture data across your entire organizational hierarchy. How to write count if formulas to dynamically filter and total roles based on their status. How to visualize your headcount data using a dynamic donut shape that updates in real-time. How to pair your visual charts with interpolated text to display clear, numerical summaries of your organization's growth. ⚙️ A note on the UIThis video was produced around 2024. While the Lucid interface has been updated since then, the formula logic and dynamic shape functionality remain a powerful way to manage your data.How are you tracking your team's growth? Share your favorite org chart hacks in the thread below! 

Managing a hybrid workflow? This video walks through how to use the Lucid formula engine to automatically sum up story points from both Jira and Azure DevOps cards the moment they are dropped into a container.What you’ll learn:How to access the formula editor using interpolated text to create live data labels. How to apply the contained and sum formulas to aggregate metadata from external task cards. How to ensure your totals update automatically as cards are moved in or out of a container or modified at the source. How to use these dynamic calculations to streamline sprint planning and capacity tracking.⚙️ A note on the UISince this video was filmed around 2024, you may notice some visual differences in the current Lucid interface. However, the underlying formula logic and the way containers interact with Jira and Azure DevOps cards remain unchanged.Are you managing work from one of these integrations in a Lucidspark board? Tell us how you're using containers to stay organized below! 

Org charts aren’t just for showing who reports to whom—they can also be powerful financial tools. This video walks you through how to use global formulas to automatically roll up salary data and track team spend against your budget in real-time.What you’ll learn:Live data integration: How to sync your Google Sheets data directly into a Lucidchart Org Chart. Hierarchical math: Using the downstream and downstream deep formulas to automatically sum salaries for direct reports or an entire department. Currency formatting: Ensuring your calculated data looks professional and is easy to read at a glance. Budget guardrails: Setting up conditional formatting to trigger red alert icons when a manager’s team spend exceeds their allocated budget. Template automation: Learning how to refresh your data while keeping your custom formulas and rules perfectly intact for future use.⚙️ A note on the UIRecorded around 2024, the Lucid interface has been refreshed since this video was made. While some menu

Using AI to build diagrams is a huge time-saver. While Lucid’s native Mermaid integration is great for quick visualizations, the resulting diagram is generated as a static image. But we’ve made some exciting updates. Any updates you make to your Mermaid markup will now automatically sync with the on-document shape in real time.If you need a native Lucidchart diagram where you can seamlessly adjust connectors, style shapes, and move blocks around, try these community-tested workarounds:Use the Lucid MCP server: Ask your AI tool to generate a diagram directly in Lucid using standard shapes, bypassing Mermaid entirely. Leverage UML markup: If you need an editable sequence diagram, use our UML markup tool instead of Mermaid. You can even prompt the MCP server to build this for you directly from PlantUML syntax. Convert to XML: Ask ChatGPT to convert your Mermaid code to draw.io XML, then import that XML document directly into Lucidchart.We know how valuable it would be to bring in your Mer

 Navigating massive process maps can be tricky—especially when you’ve scrolled so far that the swimlane headers disappear. This video demonstrates a brilliant "hover hack" to ensure you always know exactly which lane a shape belongs to, no matter how large the diagram.What you’ll learn:The "contained by" logic: How to set up a conditional formatting rule that recognizes which swimlane a shape is sitting in. Invisible anchors: A creative technique using "invisible icons" to create a hover-trigger in the center of your shapes. Dynamic hover text: Using interpolated text formulas to automatically pull and display the lane name (e.g., "Finance" or "DevOps") whenever a user hovers over a shape. Navigation efficiency: Improving the experience for stakeholders who need to review complex flows without constant scrolling.⚙️ A note on the UISince this was filmed around 2024, the Lucid interface has been updated with a fresh look. However, the formula engine and conditional formatting logic used

Looking for a better way to track workload? This walkthrough shows you how to use Lucid’s formula engine to automatically calculate and display the total story points of cards within a specific frame or container.What you’ll learn:Lucid formulas: Leveraging the contained formula and estimate property to pull data from Lucid Cards. Dynamic titles: Using interpolated text to display a live-updating total directly in your container's title. Flexible visualization: Exploring alternative ways to show totals, such as using conditional formatting text badges or dedicated "summary shapes" inside the frame. Cross-product power: How to move between tools to access advanced data and formula features.⚙️ A note on the UIAs this video was produced around 2024, the Lucid interface has been refreshed since then. However, the formula logic and the way containers "read" the data from the shapes inside them remain exactly the same. Are you using Lucid to track your sprints? Let us know how you’re using f

Meet your new AI teammate!Lucid AI’s Process Agent is an interactive tool designed to help you build process diagrams. Based on the diagram description in your prompt, the Process Agent starts a conversation with you and builds a first draft diagram for you. Think of it like a proactive collaborator- it asks targeted follow-up questions to help you refine your work. Based on your answers, the Process Agent tweaks the diagram, maximizing your efficiency and reducing rework!Let’s take a look at this in action! ⬇️ 💡 Process Agent solution story Sarah is an HR Onboarding Specialist. Her goal is to create a comprehensive onboarding workflow that includes a structured 30/60/90 day plan for new hires. She hopes to create a flow that helps new hires understand what they can expect from their first 90 days at the company, and a document that their managers can reference for visibility into what their direct reports are working on.Instead of staring at a blank canvas, Sarah opens a Lucidchart d

Ever wanted to show a clean version of your map to one stakeholder and a data-heavy version to another? This video shows you how to use shape actions and diagram keys to create a "dashboard" feel that toggles conditional formatting on and off with a single click.What you’ll learn:Interactive keys: How to turn your diagram key into a functional control panel for your canvas. Shape actions: Setting up the "Toggle Conditional Formatting" action to trigger specific rules on demand. Dynamic views: Quickly switching between a high-level process map and a detailed view that highlights blockers or specific shape types. Enhanced user experience: Making complex diagrams more accessible for teammates who only need to see certain data at certain times.⚙️ A note on the UIRecorded around 2024, the buttons in this video might look a little different than the current Lucid interface. Don't worry—the "Actions" menu and conditional formatting engine still work exactly as shown! How do you make your diag

If you've ever found yourself wishing you could "toggle" parts of your flowchart on and off depending on who is in the room, shape sets are for you!For a step-by-step guide on using shape sets, check out this Help Center article: Use shape sets to manage visibility in Lucidchart.In this community post, we’ll show you how shape sets can be used in action! ⬇️ 💡 Shape sets solution story The Problem: Imagine you’re a project manager presenting a new product launch workflow. Your engineering team needs to see the technical API details, product leadership cares about the high-level milestones, and customer-facing teams need a go-to-market overview. Usually this means maintaining three separate documents, which can quickly become a version control nightmare. The alternative is overwhelming stakeholders with details they don’t need- also not the outcome that you’re hoping for. The Solution: With shape sets, you can create a single document as your ‘source of truth’ and simply manage what is

Want to see your spreadsheet data come to life inside your diagrams? This video demonstrates how to use conditional formatting to pull values directly from linked data and display them as clear, actionable badges on your shapes.What you’ll learn:Data connectivity: The basics of connecting external spreadsheet data to your Lucidchart process map. Smart visibility: Setting up rules that only trigger when specific data (like a "cost" value) is present, keeping your diagram clean. Text badging: Automatically generating icons that display numerical values directly on a shape. Custom hover text: Using formulas to create "tooltips" that reveal deeper data or larger values when you hover over a shape.⚙️ A note on the UISince this video was filmed around 2024, some menus and icons may have a different look in the current Lucid interface. However, the data-linking workflow and formula logic remain the same. Are you linking live data to your diagrams? Share your favorite way to visualize metrics

As a Solutions Consultant, I’ve seen organizations struggle with the side effects of process debt: team-wide misalignment, inaccurate workflows, and stalled productivity. To combat this, teams need more than a repository. While that’s a good start, you’ll also need a process governor to bridge the gap between technical details and the people who need them. I recently collaborated on a blog post all about process governance and democratization, but I typically recommend a dual-structure approach to keep processes accessible and up-to-date:Executive sponsor: Sets the high-level strategy and vision. Process champion: Manages daily governance and keeps the repository clean.True governance is about alignment over documentation. By democratizing your processes and ensuring every team member has a voice while the governor maintains the source of truth, you stop searching for answers and start executing. How is your team currently handling process debt in your own workflows? Would love to swap

How do you ensure your team isn't placing incompatible components within the same environment? This tutorial walks through two powerful methods for using conditional formatting and formulas to validate what belongs inside your smart containers.What you’ll learn:Predefined rules: How to set up specific call-out rules for common "incorrect" shape pairings. Advanced data linking: Creating flexible rules that reference a custom data list of restricted associations directly on the shape. Dynamic feedback: Using interpolated text to display custom, real-time alert messages that tell the user exactly why a placement is invalid. Control at scale: Leveraging these formulas to maintain high standards for complex technical or organizational maps.⚙️ A note on the UIThis video was produced around 2024. While the Lucid interface has seen some visual updates since then, the formula engine and conditional formatting logic demonstrated here are still the standard for building "intelligent" documents. A

Tired of seeing incorrect connections in your team's technical diagrams? In this walkthrough, we explore how to use conditional formatting and formulas to create a self-policing diagram that alerts users when a connection violates your architectural standards.What’s covered:Intelligent formulas: Using the contains and connected logic to identify specific relationships between shapes. Error detection: Setting up a rule that automatically flags unauthorized paths—for example, preventing a firewall from connecting directly to a server. Visual coaching: How to automatically restyle "incorrect" lines (like turning them bright red and dashed) to guide users toward the correct configuration. Validating paths: Ensuring your rules stay flexible enough to allow approved connections, like firewall-to-router.⚙️ A note on the UIThis video was produced around 2024. While the Lucidchart interface has been updated since then, the formula logic and conditional formatting tools remain as powerful as eve

Hey community 👋Product ops is a fast-growing discipline, but how do you actually prove its ROI to senior leadership?In our latest webinar, we asked that question to Ross Webb, senior product leader who has led product organizations of 200+ people at companies including Amazon and Just Eat, and Hugo Froes, who has built product ops from the ground up at companies like Farfetch and OLX. Here are my four favorite quotes from the session. ⤵️ 1. "Product ops can't be the last function still presenting activity reports and calling it value.” – Ross WebbFeatures shipped, processes documented, tools implemented. These are outputs. Sales, marketing, and finance are all held to outcome-based KPIs: revenue, retention, and cost savings with a named P&L line. Product ops needs to meet the same bar.The shift Ross is pushing for: From “What do we do?” to "What is the measurable business impact of what we do?” 2. "How much money am I saving, or how much money am I making? That's the simple questi

Ever wish your diagrams could tell you when something is out of place? This tutorial dives into the "smart" side of Lucidchart, showing you how to use formulas and conditional formatting to enforce diagramming standards automatically.What you’ll learn:Data-rich containers: How to assign custom properties (like "ID" and "Type") to containers—such as VPCs—and the individual components within them. Smart formulas: Using the does not contain and contained by formulas to create logic that knows where a shape belongs. Automated coaching: How to trigger alert icons and custom hover text that guides users to move shapes to the correct location in real-time. Control at scale: Leveraging custom shape libraries to maintain consistency across your entire team.⚙️ A note on the UIRecorded around 2024, this video features a previous version of the Lucid interface. While the buttons may have a fresh look today, the formula logic and conditional formatting power shown here are still fully supported. Ar

Creating a great diagram is only half the battle; the real magic happens when your team can use it effectively. This walkthrough covers how to professionalize your Lucidchart documents and prep them for seamless sharing across your organization.Key takeaways:Dynamic headers: Set up headers that automatically update with the document name and last modified date. Canvas cleanup: Professional styling tips, including text formatting and disabling auto-tiling for a cleaner workspace. Resource panning: How to add a diagram key and pin custom shape libraries so your team has the right tools at their fingertips. Embedded training: A pro-tip on embedding Loom or CloudApp videos directly onto the canvas to provide instant instructions to your users.⚙️ A note on the UIAs this video was produced around 2024, you may notice some UI updates in the current Lucid interface. However, the steps to polish, style, and share your templates remain the same. How do you onboard your team to new templates? We'

Architectural drift is a silent builder of technical debt that occurs when implementations deviate from original designs. To combat this, shift your mindset from reactive compliance to architecture enablement. By building standards directly into the design process, you ensure that the architecture you build is the most efficient and accurate. To improve standardization and maintain a single source of truth, focus on these visual-first strategies: Make documentation visual: Humans process images 60,000 times faster than text, reducing cognitive load and accelerating alignment. Document as you work: Use a universal canvas to transition from brainstorming to diagramming without losing context. Automate with accelerators: Use the Process Accelerator for centralized repositories and approval flows, or the Cloud Accelerator to automatically sync your AWS, Azure, or GCP environments. By integrating custom shape libraries and tools like the Ardoq integration, you can transform static diagr

Want to standardize your workflows and save hours of manual entry? This video walks through the step-by-step process of creating a custom, data-intelligent template in Lucidchart.From setting up dynamic headers to building automated time trackers, these tips will help you turn a standard document into a powerful, reusable tool for your entire team.What’s covered:Template foundation: Perfecting your page settings and creating dynamic document headers. Custom shape libraries: Assigning data fields to shapes and saving them to your own library for easy drag-and-drop use. Visual intelligence: Applying conditional formatting to make your data jump off the page. Advanced logic: Building dynamic group shapes that act as "total time trackers" for your processes. Standardization: Converting your finished document into a reusable template for your organization.🎨 A note on the UIThis video was filmed around 2024. Even if the current Lucid interface looks slightly different than what you see on s

Looking to turn your process maps into living dashboards? This walkthrough demonstrates how to move beyond static shapes and start using custom data-backed templates in Lucidchart to automate your workflow.What you’ll learn:Rapid mapping: Leverage default styles and shape libraries to build out your flow in seconds. Embedded data: Input custom variables, like cycle time and assignees, directly into your shapes. Smart math: Use dynamic counters to automatically calculate and track the total time of a process. Data portability: Extract your diagram's "intelligence" via CSV export or by using the Lucid REST API to pull document contents in JSON format.🛠️ A note on the UIThis video was produced around 2024. While the Lucid interface has been refreshed since then, the core functionality and logic shown here remain fully operational. Check out the video below and let us know: How are you using data to power your Lucidchart documents? 

Hey community 👋The past year, joining the Lucid family, has been a whirlwind. A lot has changed, and it was time to update our “Getting Started with airfocus” video to reflect that. So if you’re still wondering what it is that airfocus offers, or you’re yet to see inside our platform, then take a watch!For nearly a decade, we’ve been committed to uniting ever-evolving product teams around a single source of truth so they can build with confidence. And since last year, we’ve taken that mission further, joining forces with Lucid to span the entire product management cycle – from strategy to ideation to execution – all in one platform.This video is a short, visual overview of how we support product teams to stay connected, data-driven, and customer-focused. And for all you Lucid users, we show you just how the Lucid-airfocus integration works.  We hope it brings to life the reason we exist, and how we can add value to your product organizations. Check out the video below to see airfocus

A go-to-market strategy is only as strong as its execution. When sales, marketing, and customer success teams operate from fragmented documents, alignment becomes nothing more than a pipe dream.True alignment and efficiency require a single source of truth. By centralizing your workflows in a cloud-based environment like Lucid, you eliminate documentation friction and spend more time on high-impact strategy. 🧱I recently published a new process improvement toolkit that provides a library of customizable templates to jump-start your GTM productivity. Here are a few of my favorites:Sales teamsSales process example: Map every touchpoint from lead assignment to close to identify bottlenecks.Customer success teamsNew customer onboarding: Map the journey from initial setup to long-term retention to find performance gaps.Marketing teamsMarketing workflow diagram: Gain a bird’s-eye view of department dependencies and cross-functional silos.Continuous process improvement is the secret to GTM su

It seems to me like the tutorials for timelines and daily schedules are not quite up-to-date. I’m a new user of Lucid, and trying to create daily schedules, but running into multiple issues: Adjusting the start and end times of a Daily Schedule template messes up the formatting of the entire schedule (doesn’t auto-adjust sizes).  Cannot find “Interval” shape, even when searching in All Shapes, to allow for modifying the start/end time of an interval.   Adjusting the milestone time does not accurately move the milestone marker to the correct position, or it does not save the new time entry and keeps reverting back to default.  Milestone shapes are not automatically grouped, so changing the time of the milestone does not move the associated shape (i.e., the circle). The tutorials show features (e.g., toolbars) that I can’t find. Maybe there’s a SW difference? Are there already solutions to these issues that I’m not aware of? 

Product development often feels like a constant trade-off between speed and control. As your teams grow, work naturally fragments across different workspaces, business units, and tools.While this distributed approach is great for execution, it creates a massive "visibility gap" for leaders. I’ve spoken with so many of you who spend hours chasing status updates or manually assembling reports that are out of date the second they’re shared.At airfocus, we believe enterprise product management shouldn't be about managing manual overhead—it should be about managing strategy. That’s why I’m incredibly excited to share our new Portfolio management feature set.What’s new?We’ve introduced two core capabilities designed to give you a "bird’s eye view" without losing the connection to team-level execution:Portfolios: Create live, unified views that pull data from across multiple workspaces. Unlike a static roll-up, these are fully interactive. You can edit items directly in the portfolio view, an