SmartDraw Changelog

What's new in SmartDraw 2019 (26.0.0.0)

Apr 30, 2019
  • SmartDraw's Org Chart Extension lets you build an organizational chart automatically by importing a data file of your organization's employee list. You will be able to import and display photos and hyperlinks, skip data you don't want included, and show some data in a tool tip without cluttering up the visual.
  • Format Your Data:
  • Before you can import your data, the list must be formatted with the fields you want to show for each employee as columns and the values for an employee as rows.
  • One of the columns must identify the supervisor of the employee in the row. All of the rows must have a supervisor except for the top position in the org chart.
  • You can match employees with supervisors using numerical IDs or just names.
  • The table can be in CSV, XLS, or XLSX format.
  • Launch the Org Chart Extension:
  • In the Extension category of the SmartDraw template dialog, click on the Org Chart icon labeled "Build Org Charts from Data" to launch the extension. Choose your file and click on Process.
  • This loads and parses your file. The parser identifies the matching columns and guesses which columns are the name and title fields. The extension will give you a preview of how we see your data so you can make some changes if necessary.
  • Each row in the table will add a shape to the org chart.
  • Specify Special Column Types:
  • SmartDraw styles and builds your org chart using rules given to each data type. Data identified as Name will be shown centered inside a single org chart shape, while anything identified as a Hyperlink will trigger a hyperlink icon with a link to be added to the shape, and so forth.
  • The data type is displayed in the first menu above each column. You can change this type by selecting another option from the drop-down menu.
  • The Rules for Data Types:
  • Name - Data from this column is set to Show in Shape as the first row of text.
  • Title - This will show up as the second row of text inside the shape.
  • Hyperlink - This will add a hyperlink to the specified URL inside the shape. You use this to add links to employee records for example.
  • Photo - Use this column to add a URL to an image for the person. If a photo column exists, SmartDraw will split the org chart shape so that the left side of the shape will display the photo.
  • Other - These columns are set to appear in the data layer (Show in Data) by default and not inside the shape itself. You can change this using the display menu. Once the org chart is built, you can find this information by hovering over the blue "i" icon in the lower right corner of an org chart shape. Other columns are added to the shape after the Name and Title in left to right order.
  • Choose Display Options:
  • For each column in your data, you have three choices presented in the display menu at the top of each column (this is the second drop-down menu):
  • You can show the value in the shape by choosing "Show in Shape". This might be appropriate for someone's name, title, or telephone number.
  • Move the value to a data layer shown only on hover by choosing "Show in Data". This might be appropriate for data like a hire date or employee id.
  • Hide this value completely by choosing "Don't show".
  • Build the Chart:
  • When you're ready, click the "Build Diagram" button to generate your org chart.
  • If you just leave the defaults as they are, two rows, one for Name and one for Title, will show in each shape. All other data in columns will be moved to the data layer and shown as shape data.
  • However, you can easily customize this using the display options in the Extension. Display as many columns of data as you wish. SmartDraw's Org Chart Extension is both powerful and easy to use.

New in SmartDraw 2018 (25.0.0.0) (May 25, 2018)

  • Create project charts online and connect tasks to your Trello boards. You can easily plan and visualize a project in SmartDraw and your team can use Trello to mark their progress on tasks. Changes made in SmartDraw are reflected on the Trello board in real time, and vice versa. It's a powerful combination.
  • Turn any mind map into a Gantt chart with just a click. Switch between views easily. Changes made in one view will be automatically reflected in the other.
  • Create a Trello card for any item on a mind map. Brainstorm and run meetings using SmartDraw's visuals and make them actionable with Trello.
  • Make a wireframe for your next website or mobile app with completely revamped wireframing tools including new symbols and templates.
  • Over 140 new presentation-ready templates for infographics.
  • Import data to build organizational charts and mind maps and export data from existing diagrams.
  • Enable two-factor authentication on your account for additional security.
  • All CAD drawings now have a powerful annotation layer.
  • Save your diagrams to Box® in addition to the variety of existing third-party storage options SmartDraw has.
  • Import Visio® stencils in addition to Visio® files.
  • Create custom symbol libraries for your team.
  • Translate SmartDraw's UI with support for 100 different languages.
  • Add diagrams to Trello cards.

New in SmartDraw 2017 24.0.0.11 (Feb 10, 2018)

  • Adds Ability to Turn on Two-Factor Authentication

New in SmartDraw 2017 24.0.0.4 (May 23, 2017)

  • SmartDraw Adds Powerful New Annotation Layer to Floor Plans:
  • SmartDraw recently added lots of new CAD features that make it the most powerful solution for making scaled diagrams of all kinds, including floor plans.
  • With this release, SmartDraw also added the scale-independent annotation layer to all floor plan templates and documents to help you enhance your drawings with additional information.
  • This annotation layer will automatically adjust its size and position as the drawing area (or paper size) changes. You can add the scale, author and other information about the design in this layer just like the "page view" in a traditional CAD program.

New in SmartDraw 2016 23.0.0.17 (Feb 1, 2017)

  • Here's everything that's new:
  • Create and Edit Diagrams Online Using SmartDraw Cloud
  • Completely Rewritten Visio® Import
  • Powerful Support for Multiple Pages in a Single Document
  • Instantly Share Diagrams with Anyone, Even If They Don't Own SmartDraw
  • Modernized Look and Feel
  • Updated Themes and Templates
  • Network Design, Wireframing, and Other New Content
  • Free Maintenance for One Year

New in SmartDraw 2014 (Aug 2, 2013)

  • Smarter visuals
  • New task management app
  • Automatic backup of your SmartDraw visuals is saved for you in your private, secure SmartDraw account
  • Enhanced web and mobile viewing on all of your devices
  • Improved org charts - import all of your data and photos

New in SmartDraw 2012 (Jan 26, 2012)

  • Completely Redesigned Project Management: Sleeker, Faster, and More Powerful
  • Faster and More Manageable Charts
  • Better Controls and an Updated Look Make Project Management a Breeze for Anyone
  • Save Time Assigning Tasks
  • New Assignment View Equals Built-In Instant Accountability
  • Save Time by Creating Custom Task Libraries
  • Announcing Information Hubs: A Powerful New Organization Tool
  • Communicate Complex Information Quicker and Easier
  • Faster and Fewer Meetings using Real-Time Capture
  • Built-In Instant Accountability
  • All New Automated Timelines
  • Automatic Formatting
  • Automatic Positioning
  • Make Better Looking Org Charts Even Faster
  • Save Time with One-Click Layout Controls