Overview

Design and document database schemas with this Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD) template. A foundational tool in software engineering and database design, ERDs map the entities, attributes, and relationships in a data model — giving developers, architects, and data teams a shared blueprint before a single line of SQL is written.

Key Features

• Entity boxes with attribute fields and primary key indicators
• Relationship connectors with cardinality notation (one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-many)
• Crow's foot and Chen notation support via connector styling
• Multiple entity grouping zones for domain separation
• Legend frame for notation reference

How to Use

1. Add entity boxes using the Shapes tool — one rectangle per entity, labeled with the entity name at the top
2. Add attribute rows inside each entity using the Text tool — mark primary keys with a PK prefix and foreign keys with FK
3. Connect related entities using the Connector tool — adjust arrowhead styles to represent cardinality (one-to-many, etc.)
4. Label relationship connectors with the relationship verb (e.g., "contains," "belongs to") using the Text tool
5. Group related entities by domain using frames to keep complex schemas readable

Benefits

Database mistakes are expensive to fix after the schema is built. An ERD reviewed by the full team before implementation catches modeling errors when they're still just lines on a canvas.