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Add Diagrams to Google Docs and Google Sheets with the Add-On for Google Workspace

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SmartDraw integrates seamlessly with your existing Google account from signing in to sharing and adding diagrams to your Google Docs and Sheets.

You can add a SmartDraw app in Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) so you can connect your SmartDraw account and add diagrams easily. You can make Google Drive your default storage location and access your documents directly from Google Drive.

Install the SmartDraw Add-On

First, install the SmartDraw add-on from Google Workspace marketplace.

You can find the add-on in the SmartDraw app under Integrations -> Apps. Click Google Workspace, click Install, and then follow the prompts.

You can also install the SmartDraw add-on by clicking the Get Add-ons button (shaped like a plus sign) in the right sidebar of any Google Workspace app like Google Docs.

Search for SmartDraw Diagrams.

Click the blue Install button to the right of the SmartDraw entry.

 

Follow the prompts to install SmartDraw and allow it all the needed permissions.

Allow SmartDraw Diagrams to access your Google Account to create documents.

Launch the SmartDraw Add-On

After installation, you can launch SmartDraw using its icon in the sidebar.

The SmartDraw App for Google Workspace lets you do 4 things:

  1. Insert a new diagram
  2. Update selected diagrams
  3. Update all diagrams
  4. Convert Lucidchart diagrams in your document to SmartDraw diagrams

Insert a Diagram into Your Google Workspace App

To add a new diagram into your Google Document or Google Sheet, first login to your SmartDraw application in your browser. Next, click the Insert Diagram button from the SmartDraw app inside your Google Workspace application.

Make sure, the email you're logged in with in your SmartDraw application, matches the email you logged in with for Google Workspace.

After clicking Insert Diagram, you'll see the familiar SmartDraw interface in a modal. You can choose to insert any existing diagram you already made or make a new diagram from scratch to insert.

Adding an Existing Diagram

  1. Open the Google Doc or Google Sheet.
  2. Click the SmartDraw button in the add-on sidebar on the right.
  3. Click Documents on your Dashboard and browse to find your diagram.
  4. Select the thumbnail of the document you want to insert. If you are importing a multi-page document, only the first page will be inserted by default. 
  5. Click Insert Diagram.

Make a New Diagram to Add

  1. Open the Google Doc or Google Sheet.
  2. Click the SmartDraw button in the add-on sidebar on the right.
  3. Click New Document.
  4. Select the template you want to start with. You'll have access to all the tools, symbols, and templates you would normally use to make a visual in SmartDraw.
  5. When you're finished creating your diagram, click Insert Diagram.

 

Update Diagrams

Once you have a diagram or diagrams inserted in your document, you can update them as needed.

  1. Open the Google Doc or Google Sheet.
  2. Click the SmartDraw button in the add-on sidebar on the right.
  3. Click to select the SmartDraw image or images you need to update.
  4. Click the Update Selected Diagrams button.
  5. The images will automatically reflect any changes you've made.

You can also update all the diagrams in a single document or sheet, by clicking the Update All Diagrams button.

Convert Lucidchart Diagrams in Google Docs and Google Sheets

If you have Lucidchart diagrams embedded in your Google Docs or Google Sheets, you can convert them to their SmartDraw equivalents. First, you'll need to import them from Lucidchart, so let's go through all the steps needed. This will help your team fully migrate from Lucidchart to SmartDraw. 

  1. Migrate all your existing Lucidchart diagrams into SmartDraw. Follow the steps outlined here: https://smartdraw.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360042871551-Import-a-Lucidchart-File
  2. Once your Lucidchart diagrams are available in your SmartDraw account, you're ready to update any Google Docs or Sheets where you may have Lucidchart diagrams.
  3. Open the Google Doc or Google Sheet you want to update.
  4. Click the SmartDraw button in the add-on sidebar on the right.
  5. Click the Convert Lucidchart Diagrams button.
  6. The images will automatically update and point to their SmartDraw equivalent.