Use shape and symbol palettes

The Diagram Editor provides an extensive library of shapes, symbols, and clip art images that you can place into diagrams. These are grouped into categories, and each category appears as an expandable section in the symbol library panel on the left side of the Diagram Editor. Expand or contract any section by clicking on the name.

You can control which categories appear in the symbol library panel. Click More Shapes to display a menu listing all the categories. Categories showing check marks are visible in the panel, while all others are hidden. Select or deselect any category to show or hide it in the symbol library panel.

When you finish editing a diagram, the visible symbol categories are saved and will appear in the symbol library panel next time the diagram is edited.

Insert Shapes, Symbols and Images

Depending on the type of shape or symbol, you may need to use different actions to insert it into the diagram. Try clicking on a shape, symbol, or clip art image. A click inserts many elements, especially block-like elements. If clicking does not insert the element, drag it from the library panel to the diagram background. Connector type elements in particular may require this action to insert them.

Use Custom Images

You can include an image attached to a Document, or a contained Work Item, into a diagram using the Insert Image action in Diagram Editor toolbar. Caveats:

  • When attaching an image to an item in the Diagram Editor, use the default attachment link, not the direct link for image URLs.

  • The image URL will typically be full URL, so there may be problems if the ID of the containing (Work Item or Document) is changed, or if it is moved to another project.