Meet the New Visualizer, Diagrams That Get You

There’s something oddly satisfying about getting a diagram right on the first try. Usually, it’s a hassle: you hunt through menus, click too many times, and when you’re done, you’re still not sure if it really matches what you had in mind. It feels like you’re wrestling with a tool that doesn’t quite get you.

So we decided to flip the script. What if you could just tell your diagram what you want it to look like, and watch it appear—like it read your mind. (It didn’t. We’re good, but not spooky.)

Picture this: Barry, a product manager types something like, “Give me an activity diagram in PlantUML which explains the process of checking out in the Webshop,” and there it is, a clean visual right inside Confluence. It’s like a friend who finishes your sentences—except they sketch while doing it. No fumbling through toolbars, no weird formatting dances. You describe it, it draws it.

Later, when Sarah from sales asks about the flow, Barry simplifies it for the conversation:

Show simplified version of checkout flow

Each update happens right there, keeping everyone on the same page.

We’ve been quietly working on our app Visualizer for Confluence, we’ve given it a new capabilities, and a proper spotlight. It’s not just a fresh coat of paint—it’s more like we’ve taught the app a few new languages. Before, it did one thing: offered a straightforward way to create diagrams in Confluence. Now, with a bit of subtle, behind-the-scenes intelligence, it understands what you’re asking for and builds the diagram you want. You can still tweak and adjust, but chances are you won’t need to do much.

And here’s something else: editing is just as easy. Say what you need changed—maybe swap steps or rename a node. Just type it out and the diagram updates itself to match your vision. You don’t have to master a special diagram language or go back to consult a tool. Regular words will do.

Charles, an engineer, takes it a step further. He maps out Barry's user flow by typing:

Add "you may also like items" after review

Each change reflects instantly, and Charles can adjust the diagram to suit different audiences. Whether it’s a technical breakdown for the dev team or a simplified version for sales, Visualizer adapts.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a developer who likes precise layouts or a non-developer who just wants something that “sort of shows the idea.” The app doesn’t force you to learn a bunch of commands. It doesn’t insist that you know code. If you want to get under the hood and tweak your diagram’s logic, fine. If not, you can just say, “Show a simple timeline of our next product release,” and let it handle the details. The focus here is on outcomes, not technicalities.

For developers, this can mean you have maximum flexibility either way. You can either code it or for quicker specs: you can outline a system architecture without manually dragging each box and arrow. Non-developers, on the other hand, can describe a concept in everyday language and watch it turn into a visual that gets the point across. It’s one less hurdle when you’re working with a team that speaks many different “diagram dialects.”

We’re not going to make a grand speech about “revolutionizing workflows” or any of that fluff. We just wanted to stop fighting our own tools. We wanted diagrams that appear naturally, as if they’re listening to what we’re saying. Now that we’ve done the hard work, you get to skip the awkward parts and jump straight to the moment of “Yeah, that’s what I meant.”

It’s a new era for this app, and we think you’ll notice the difference. No big trumpet blast, no fireworks—just a new approach that quietly does what you always wished your old diagram tool could do. Go ahead, try it. Describe what you want and see if it delivers. If it saves you even a few minutes of fiddling, we’ll call that a win.

‍

Start your free trial in the Atlassian marketplace. Do you want to learn more about the new visualizer? Check out our documentation for more information or contact us via our support channel.