Data flow diagram software

Lucidchart makes diagramming your data flow simple—no matter how complex your system or process. Try our intuitive data flow diagram software and get to work in minutes.

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DFDs made easy

Begin working on your DFD online in minutes with our intuitive data flow diagram maker.

Visualize a system

When you map a process or system, you find ways to make it more efficient and effective. Use a data flow diagram to help you improve an existing process or implement a new one.

Use the right symbols and notation

Lucidchart has everything you need for your data flow diagram, including standard symbols for both Gane-Sarson and Yourdon-Coad methodologies. Our shape library for DFDs contains notations for processes, external entities, data stores, and data flows.

Let our advanced features do the work

Our data flow diagram software makes creating large, complex data flow diagrams simple. Lucidchart includes features like conditional formatting, action buttons, external links, and layers. With our help, your diagram will capture all the information you need without becoming busy or hard to follow.

Become an expert right away

Lucidchart is easy to use. Even if you’re just a beginner, our drag-and-drop functionality and simple interface will help you get started in no time. Start your data flow diagram with one of our templates or begin with a blank canvas.

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Collaborate with your team

Use Lucidchart with anyone, whether you’re in person or remote. You’ll be able to work online from anywhere and collaborate simultaneously on the same document as your team. Use the in-product chat, notes, and comments features to share ideas and give feedback.

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Go to third-party apps like G2, TrustRadius, and Capterra to see what other people think. You’ll find thousands of five-star ratings and glowing reviews.

Lucidchart feature highlights

Streamline work by enabling multiple collaborators to create and edit the same diagram at once.

Data flow diagram templates and examples

Use a template from our gallery to help you start work on your data flow diagram.

Data flow diagram level 1

Go to Data flow diagram level 1 template

Data flow diagram level 2 template

Go to Data flow diagram level 2 template template

Physical data flow diagram template

Go to Physical data flow diagram template template

Getting started in Lucidchart

Follow along with this video tutorial and learn how to make any type of diagram in Lucidchart.

Make a diagram

Why teams choose Lucidchart

As an intelligent diagramming application, Lucidchart provides simple yet powerful capabilities for visualizing information.

Collaboration. Bring teams together side by side on a shared canvas from anywhere in the world.

Alignment. Build transparency and shared understanding of how a team or company works.

Large-scale change. Increase visibility, standardization, and knowledge sharing across your entire org.

End-to-end workflows. Upgrade to the Lucid Suite for a complete, connected visual collaboration solution.

What is a data flow diagram (DFD)?

Some processes and systems are hard to put into words. A data flow diagram can help. These diagrams visually show the way information flows through systems and processes, including various subprocesses, data stores, and data inputs and outputs. DFDs use standardized symbols and notation to describe various entities and how they are related.

How to make a data flow diagram

Decide your DFD level

Data flow diagrams have a level attached to them that shows how complex they are. The most basic level is 0, and DFDs rarely go beyond level 2 or maybe 3. As you build your diagram, you’ll need to determine the level that makes sense for you.

Identify major inputs and outputs

Every system or process starts with an external entity giving input and ends with outputting data to a database or other entity. Identify your inputs and outputs to get an overview of your process or system.

Build a context diagram

After you’ve identified your major inputs and outputs, draw a context diagram to connect them. Just draw a process node to connect the related entities and show the general way that information flows.

Expand your context diagram

Just one process node doesn’t tell you much. You’ll need to break it down into subprocesses and give more details, though how much detail depends on your diagram’s level.

Expand to a level 2+ DFD

If needed, you can keep adding details to your DFD and increasing its level. Just keep adding more specific subprocesses, ensuring you add necessary data flows and stores along the way.

Confirm your diagram’s accuracy

When you’ve finished drawing your diagram, you’ll need to check it. Walk through it, and pay attention to the flow of information. Ensure it makes sense and that you’ve included all necessary data stores, and you should have no trouble getting other people to understand your diagram as well.

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Frequently asked questions about data flow diagrams

What are the three levels of a data flow diagram?

Generally, DFDs are level 0, level 1, or level 2, though they can go higher in rare cases. Level 0 DFDs are the least complex, while level 2 and above DFDs are the most complex.

What is the difference between a DFD and a flowchart?

While these diagrams are similar, a DFD generally traces the data flow of a system, while a flowchart shows the sequence of steps in a process.

Why use a data flow diagram?

DFDs provide a detailed representation of components within a system and how they interact. This helps viewers understand how a process or system currently works, or how it could work if the diagram shows a proposed data flow.

What are common errors people make when creating a DFD?

The three main errors are: 1. Black holes, or places with input flow and no output 2. Miracles, or places with output flows with no input 3. Gray holes, or places with outputs that are greater than the sum of the inputs

What are the types of data flow diagrams?

Data flow diagrams are broken into two categories: logical and physical. While logical DFDs focus on business processes, physical DFDs focus on implementation, with things like hardware, software, people in the system, and files.

DFD Tutorial

What kind of training materials are available to learn how to use Lucidchart?

Lucidchart has a learning campus with tips and tricks, courses, expert advice and more.

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Everything you need to make a diagram

In addition to our data flow diagram software, Lucidchart offers support and training resources to help you branch out to any type of diagram.

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