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FAQ

General​

What is Excalidraw for Confluence?​

Excalidraw for Confluence is a Confluence Cloud macro that embeds the full Excalidraw whiteboard editor directly in your Confluence pages. You can draw diagrams, architecture sketches, mind maps, and wireframes without leaving Confluence.

Is the app built on Atlassian Forge?​

Yes. The app runs entirely on Atlassian's Forge platform, which means all diagram data is processed and stored within Atlassian's infrastructure. No data is sent to third-party servers.

Does the app work on Confluence Data Center or Server?​

No. Excalidraw for Confluence is a Forge app and is only available for Confluence Cloud instances.

Who can view diagrams?​

Any Confluence user who has access to the page can view the rendered diagram — including unlicensed users and guests with page view access.

Who can edit diagrams?​

Only users with edit page permissions can open the Excalidraw editor and modify a diagram.

Diagrams & Editing​

Where is the diagram data stored?​

Diagram data is saved as an attachment on the Confluence page. This means the diagram is fully portable — if you clone or move a page, the diagram attachment moves with it and continues to work correctly.

Can multiple users edit a diagram at the same time?​

No. Real-time collaboration is not supported. Only one user can edit a diagram at a time. The last person to save their changes will overwrite any unsaved changes by another user editing simultaneously.

Can I use Excalidraw diagrams in Confluence page templates?​

Yes. You can add the Excalidraw Diagram macro to a Confluence page template. When a user creates a page from that template, the macro will be available for them to open and edit. Note that template previews will show a placeholder rather than a rendered diagram.

Does cloning or moving a page break the diagram?​

No. Because diagrams are stored as page attachments, they are preserved when a page is cloned or moved. The diagram will render correctly on the new or copied page without any extra steps.

Import & Export​

What file formats can I import?​

You can import .excalidraw files created in excalidraw.com or any other Excalidraw-compatible tool.

What formats can I export diagrams to?​

You can export diagrams as:

  • PNG — raster image for use in presentations or documents
  • SVG — vector image, ideal for high-resolution use
  • .excalidraw — raw diagram file for backup or use in other Excalidraw environments

Are diagrams included when I export a page to PDF?​

Yes. When you use Confluence's standard Export to PDF or Export to Word feature, the Excalidraw diagram is automatically rendered and included as an image in the exported document.

Libraries​

Can I use custom shape libraries?​

Yes. You can upload .excalidrawlib files to add custom shapes and icons to the library panel inside the editor.

Are libraries shared across all diagrams?​

No. Libraries are stored per diagram. A library added to one Excalidraw macro is not automatically available in other macros on other pages. You can re-import the same .excalidrawlib file into each diagram where you need it.

Troubleshooting​

The Excalidraw Diagram macro does not appear in the Insert menu.​

Ensure the app is installed correctly. Go to Settings → Apps → Manage apps and verify that Excalidraw is listed and enabled. If the issue persists, contact us via the https://apportunity-apps.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/1.

The diagram is not visible after publishing the page.​

Try refreshing the page. If the diagram still does not appear, check that the page was saved and published after the diagram was last edited. If the issue persists, contact our support team.

The diagram looks different in the PDF export.​

PDF export quality depends on Confluence's built-in PDF engine. Minor differences in rendering between the on-screen view and the PDF output are expected. See Known Limitations for more details.

I need more help.​

Contact us via the https://apportunity-apps.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/1.