How to Import a Library in Draw.io

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to open a custom library in Draw.io, allowing you to access reusable shape collections in your diagrams.

Open library in Draw.io

Screenshot showing how to access the Open Library... option from the File menu.

  1. Open Draw.io: Go to the official site app.diagrams.net or launch the desktop version.
  2. Click the "File" menu: At the top-left corner, click the File menu to open the dropdown.
  3. Select "Open Library...": Scroll through the menu and click Open Library.... It's located below the "New Library..." option. (See red arrow in the image above).
  4. Choose your library file: A file picker will appear. Select a library file with extensions like .xml, .drawio, or .lib. These files contain reusable shapes or components.
  5. Start using your shapes: Once imported, the library will show up in the shape panel on the left. You can now drag and drop elements into your canvas.

Tip:

If you use certain shapes frequently, creating and saving your own custom libraries can save you time in future projects.