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Crow's Foot Notation

Nowadays are used large number of data modeling techniques, but the most common is Entity-Relationship Diagram (ERD). Several notations are used for ERDs, the most popular is Crow’s Foot notation or IA (Inverted Arrow) notation proposed by Gordon Everest. With its help, it is convenient to create clear and understandable diagrams with large number of attributes.

Crow’s Foot notation suggests the use of boxes to represent the entities and the lines to illustrate the relationships between these entities. Each box contains the name of the entity (noun, obligatory unique within this model) and also its attributes. Each connection line has a name indicated by verb, on the both ends of it are placed the special graphical symbols, which indicate the cardinality and modality. The cardinality determines the counts of relationships, such as one-to-many, one-to-one, many-to-many; one is represented by a vertical straight line and many - by crow's foot symbol. Modality of relationship can be specified by one of two values: one that is indicated by the straight line, or zero that denotes on the optionality of relationship and is represented as the empty circle.

Crow’s Foot Notation solution extends ConceptDraw DIAGRAM software with powerful drawing tools, samples and library of predesigned vector Crow's Foot notation icons to help you easy describe the databases using the Entity-Relationship models and design professional-looking ER diagrams based on Crow's Foot notation.


There is 1 stencil library containing 17 vector graphics in the Crow’s Foot Notation solution.

Design Elements — Crow’s Foot Notation


Design Elements — Crow’s Foot Notation

Examples

There are a few samples that you see on this page which were created in the ConceptDraw DIAGRAM application by using the Crow’s Foot Notation solution. Some of the solution's capabilities as well as the professional results which you can achieve are all demonstrated here on this page.

All source documents are vector graphic documents which are always available for modifying, reviewing and/or converting to many different formats, such as MS PowerPoint, PDF file, MS Visio, and many other graphic ones from the ConceptDraw Solution Park or ConceptDraw STORE. The Crow’s Foot Notation solution is available to all ConceptDraw DIAGRAM users to get installed and used while working in the ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and drawing software.

Example 1: Crow’s Foot Notation — Educational Data Base

This diagram was created in ConceptDraw DIAGRAM using the ERD, Crow’s Foot Notation Library from the Crow’s Foot Notation Solution. An experienced user spent 15 minutes creating this sample.

This Entity-Relationship Diagram shows the relationships between the Students and Teachers entities. Drawing all entities of ER-diagram in one color spectrum, highlighting the headers, you will make your diagram look stylish and then successfully use it in different conferences, discussions, publications.

Crow’s Foot Notation — Educational Data Base

Example 2: Crow’s Foot Notation — Entity-Relationship Model Diagram

This diagram was created in ConceptDraw DIAGRAM using the ERD, Crow’s Foot Notation Library from the Crow’s Foot Notation Solution. An experienced user spent 15 minutes creating this sample.

This sample demonstrates an entity-relationship model diagram. Highlight the boxes in the ERD diagram with bright colors to make it attractive and easy to remember.

Crow’s Foot Notation — Entity-Relationship Model Diagram

Example 3: Crow’s Foot Notation — Data Model in IE

This diagram was created in ConceptDraw DIAGRAM using the Crow’s Foot Notation Library from the Crow’s Foot Notation Solution. An experienced user spent 15 minutes creating this sample.

This Entity-Relationship Diagram sample illustrates the data model of Wiki system using Information Engineering (IE) notation or Crow's Foot notation. Even complex ERD with a lot of entities, relationships and many attributes can be designed in minutes in ConceptDraw DIAGRAM

Crow’s Foot Notation — Data Model in IE

Inside

Crow’s Foot Notation Solution for macOS

Crow’s Foot Notation Solution for Microsoft Windows

What I Need to Get Started

Both ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and drawing software and the Crow’s Foot Notation solution can help creating the software engineering diagrams you need. The Crow’s Foot Notation solution can be found in the Software Development area of ConceptDraw STORE application that can be downloaded from this site. Make sure that both ConceptDraw DIAGRAM and ConceptDraw STORE applications are installed on your computer before you get started.

How to install

After ConceptDraw STORE and ConceptDraw DIAGRAM are downloaded and installed, you can install the Crow’s Foot Notation solution from the ConceptDraw STORE.

Crow’s Foot Notation Solution - Free Install

Start Using

To make sure that you are doing it all right, use the pre-designed symbols from the stencil libraries from the solution to make your drawings look smart and professional. Also, the pre-made examples from this solution can be used as drafts so your own drawings can be based on them. Using the samples, you can always change their structures, colors and data.

Crow’s Foot Notation Solution - Start Using