Now that you know what makes a data flow diagram, let’s see how easy it is to create one using our powerful online tool. We provide a lot of templates that you can use as a starting point. In this guide we will create a level 0 DFD for an online shopping experience. Sign in to your account (if you don’t already have one, sign up to try Lucidchart free for a week) and follow the steps below to create a DFD.
1. Select a data flow diagram template
Reading: How to create a data flow diagram for a website
In the Documents section, click the orange +Document button and double-click the blank ERD and data flow diagram.
2. Name the Data Flow Diagram
Click on the Blank ERD & Data Flow heading in the top left corner of the screen. A pop-up window will open, enter the name of your chart in the text box and click OK. The name of your DFD will appear in the top left corner of the screen.
3. Add an external entity that will start the process
In the left column of the screen you will notice many shapes and icons. We’ve already created the four symbols you need to create a DFD. You can also add images to the chart. Scroll through the symbol list until you get to the bottom and see the Data Flow heading.
These are all the DFD symbols you need. (Hint: Hover over each shape to see what they represent: Process, Datastore, Dataflow, and External Entities). We have symbols for the Yourdon and Coad, Yourdon and DeMarco, and Gane and Sarson methods. Click and hold the external entity and drag it onto the workspace.
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Click the highlighted text in the box and enter the name of the external entity. For our example, we enter “customer”. You can use the curved arrow in the top left corner of the square to rotate the icon. Delete an icon by clicking on it and pressing the Delete key on your keyboard.
4. Adding a Process to the DFD
Click and hold on a process icon and drag it to the desired location in the workspace. Enter the name of the process. We call this process “add product to cart”.
5. Add data store to chart
Click and hold on a data store icon and drag it to the desired location on the canvas. Enter the name of the data store. We call our “shopping cart”.
6. Add more elements to the DFD
Drag and drop the appropriate symbols to add all external entities, processes and data stores to your diagram. Move icons by clicking and holding them, then drag them to a new location. Click an icon to resize it, then click and hold the blue box in one of the corners and drag the corner to enlarge or shrink the shape. Use the background chart as a guide for alignment and sizing.
7. Add dataflow to DFD
Double-click an entity, process, or datastore, then click and hold one of the orange circles and drag the line to the appropriate icon.
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Tip: If you prefer to create the data flow process as you fill the diagram, click and hold on an entity, process, or data store and then one of the orange circles and drag the line to draw an arrow. Release the mouse button and a box of DFD symbols will appear. Click on the shape you want to add and it will be created automatically.
8. Name the dataflow
Add a name to describe the dataflow by double-clicking the arrow line. An option to enter text will appear. Enter the name of the data flow.
9. Customize the DFD with Colors and Fonts
Once you have the basic design of your diagram, you can add colors to symbols, change fonts, and customize arrows. Here’s how:
- Add colors to symbols: Click a symbol on the chart, then click the color fill symbol and choose a color.
Tip: To assign the same color to multiple symbols, click the first item, then hold down Shift and click the rest of the shapes. Next, click the color fill icon and choose a color.
- Change the font: Choose Select All from the Edit option in the menu. Click on the title block, choose a new font and click on it. All text in the chart is updated. You can use the other shortcuts (Font Color, Size, Bold, Italic, Underline, and Alignment) to further customize the font.
- Customize Arrow Style: Click to choose an arrow it out. Next, click the arrow icon in the menu bar and choose one of the nine other styles.
Tip: To change the style of all arrows, choose Select All from the Edit menu.
10. Add a title and share your data flow diagram
You will see a large T in the icon column at the top. Click and drag it to where you want to add a title to Diagram. Enter the title and, if you want, adjust the font and font size using the keyboard shortcuts at the top of the screen.
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