Made with
ConceptDraw
DIAGRAM 16

Developing Entity Relationship Diagrams

Entity Relationship diagrams are the powerful tool for clear and visual modeling the relationships between database entities. When developing Entity Relationship Diagrams are used a set of common block objects and lines to describe the structure of a database.

Use the ConceptDraw DIAGRAM software extended with Entity-Relationship Diagram (ERD) solution from the Software Development area of ConceptDraw Solution Park for designing ER diagrams, which offers the predesigned commonly used Entity relationship symbols and ER objects. Thanks to them you can make the ERDs easy understandable for all your colleagues.

Developing Entity Relationship Diagrams *

Sample 1. Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD), crow's foot notation


How to Build an Entity Relationship Diagram

When you need to visually represent the structure of relational database, Entity relationship diagram (ERD) is the best type of diagram for that case.

Most entity-relationship diagrams can be built with objects from Flowchart solution or ERD Solution which contains inbuilt templates. Follow these steps to create your own custom ERD diagram.

Don't be frightened if it looks complex, ConceptDraw DIAGRAM makes it easy to create an ERD, and hundreds of other diagrams, in minutes.

  • Start drawing with Entity object from Crow's foot ERD object.
    Note: This object contains several levels:
    1 - object itself
    2 - lines in the object
    3 - separate cell.
  • It is possible to set different setting to each level.
  • To switch from level to level, click on object with separate clicks when it's selected.

    Developing Entity Relationship Diagram

  • Add text.
  • Change object's color.

    Developing Entity Relationship Diagram

  • Copy Teachers table.
  • Add new rows via drop-down menu.
    Note: Adding and removing is always performed from a bottom row.
  • New added row will have same preferences as bottom one.

    Developing Entity Relationship Diagram

  • Paste copied table as many times as you need.

    Developing Entity Relationship Diagram

  • Filling the table.
    Note: To fill a separate cell, select it clicking with 3 separate clicks.
  • Delete excess rows via drop-down menu for each table.

    Developing Entity Relationship Diagram

  • Use M:1 (many-to-one) connector from ERD Crow’s Foot Notation library.
  • Connect needed rows of tables.

    Developing Entity Relationship Diagram

  • If you want to change connectors' type, select all connectors with held Shift button and click on Smart connector icon at ribbon.
  • To change connectors' elbow position, pull the yellow control dot.

    Developing Entity Relationship Diagram

  • Select tables from left and set the same distribution.

    Developing Entity Relationship Diagram

  • You may block the horizontal moving for object, so figure might be moved only vertically.

    Developing Entity Relationship Diagram

  • Use M:M (many-to-many) connector from ERD Crow’s Foot Notation library.
  • Set the needed connection.
    Note: When connector's end reaches connection point, it changes its appearance.

    Developing Entity Relationship Diagram

  • Edit connector's path manually with yellow control dots.

    Developing Entity Relationship Diagram

  • Select all with command+A.
  • Inspectors - Line - remove object lines (stroke).

    Developing Entity Relationship Diagram

  • Export your document to one of graphic formats.

    Developing Entity Relationship Diagram

  • Set the format and quality.

    Developing Entity Relationship Diagram

  • Your file is ready!

    Developing Entity Relationship Diagram

The Entity-Relationship Diagram (ERD) solution from ConceptDraw Solution Park extends ConceptDraw DIAGRAM ector graphics and diagramming software with the ability to describe successfully a database using the Entity-Relationship model and easy create ERD.



Video. How to Build an Entity Relationship Diagram (2min 05sec)

Use ConceptDraw DIAGRAM enhanced with Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD) solution to draw you own ER diagrams using Chen's or Crow's Foot notations.







TEN RELATED HOW TO's:

UML Activity Diagram →

UML Activity Diagram illustrates the business and operational step-by-step workflows of components in a system and shows the overall flow of control. You can use the appropriate stencils of UML notation from UML Activity library with 37 objects. ConceptDraw is ideal for software designers and software developers who need to draw UML Activity Diagrams. Use ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software enhanced with Rapid UML solution from ConceptDraw Solution Park to create your own UML activity diagrams that show the business and operational workflows of components and overall flow of control in your systems. Such software provides coloring UML diagrams for various purposes and simplifying work of the engineers.UML Activity Diagram *
Picture: UML Activity Diagram
Related Solution:

Building Drawing Software for Design Site Plan →

Building plans are usually very complicated and a hard work to do. It would be nice to use a proper drawing software to facilitate the task. Design a site plan quick and easily with all the stencils and samples from ConceptDraw libraries. This drawing shows content of the ConceptDraw vector libraries related to the site planning and arrangement of the living environment. ConceptDraw delivers about 50 libraries containing near one and a half thousands vector objects that will help you to design territory arrangement plans and make the Site plan sketches. You can use the Parking and Roads library for designing a parking space, or drawing transport management schemes. The Site Accessories library provides a number of objects, that allow you to depict various equipment of vehicle access control, street lamps, benches, trash cans and other items of the street environment.Building Drawing Software for Design Site Plan
Picture: Building Drawing Software for Design Site Plan
Related Solution:

Entity-Relationship Diagram →

Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD) is the world-known way to show the logical structure of databases in visual manner. The best software tool for drawing Entity-Relationship Diagram is ConceptDraw DIAGRAM vector graphics software with Entity-Relationship Diagram (ERD) solution from Software Development area which gives the ability to describe a database using the Entity-Relationship model. The vector graphic diagrams produced using this solution can be successfully used in whitepapers, presentations, datasheets, posters, or any technical materials.Entity-Relationship Diagram *
Picture: Entity-Relationship Diagram
Related Solution:

Process Mapping →

ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software offers the unique Business Process Mapping Solution from the Business Processes Area of ConceptDraw Solution Park. Powerful drawing tools of this solution make it effective Business Process Mapping software and help easy design professional looking business process diagrams and flowcharts.Process Mapping *
Picture: Process Mapping
Related Solution:

JSD - Jackson system development →

Jackson System Development (JSD) is a linear method of system development created by Michael A. Jackson and John Cameron in the 1980s. It comprises the whole software life cycle directly or providing a framework for more specialized techniques. When implementing the Jackson System Development method and designing JSD diagrams, you can succesfully use the powerful and helpful tools of ConceptDraw DIAGRAM software extended with Entity-Relationship Diagram (ERD) solution from the Software Development area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.JSD - Jackson system development *
Picture: JSD - Jackson system development
Related Solution:

How to Create a Line Chart →

Create a Line Chart with ConceptDraw using our tips. Here you can find an explanation of how to create a line chart quickly.How to Create a Line Chart *
Picture: How to Create a Line Chart
Related Solution:

Cisco Routers. Cisco icons, shapes, stencils and symbols →

Network infrastructure planning is a very important process in the network construction, and the share of time allocated to this within the scope of the entire project may reach 60-80%. A competent and thorough approach to planning contributes to the quick investment return, and also increases the reliability and flexibility of the final system, reducing the probability of additional costs related to the incorrect implementation. Any planning begins with an analysis of the business requirements to the final system. Basic network parameters, which should be assessed are the scalability, accessibility, cost, speed and safety. Speed and cost are often mistaken for the most important parameters, and the rest of the parameters aren't even remembered. This is not entirely correct. Initially, it is necessary to assess the business plans for the future, because sometimes it is more profitable to invest more money in the beginning. If the business is to develop, then, consequently, demands onCisco Routers
Picture: Cisco Routers. Cisco icons, shapes, stencils and symbols
Related Solution:

Best Program to Make Diagrams →

Make diagrams, charts, workflows, flowcharts, org charts, project charts easily with ConceptDraw software.Best Program to Make Diagrams *
Picture: Best Program to Make Diagrams
Related Solution:
ConceptDraw
DIAGRAM 16