Open a SmartDraw Visual Template

To start a new visual, click on Basics.

In the central Template Preview Area, you'll find a few of our most commonly used visual types. Simply click on a button to start that visual.

Or you can click the More folder to view more visual choices.

Search for Visuals Using Keywords

You can enter a keyword to search for visuals. To do this, click the Search button on the left side of this window.

A search bar appears at the top of the window. Start typing to enter a keyword. As you type, suggestions appear below. Click on a suggestion, or finish typing what you want, and press the Enter key to run the search.

To the right of where you just entered your keyword, you'll find the number of items found in the search, along with Previous and Next buttons. Use these buttons to navigate from search result to search result, which appear in the Template Preview Area highlighted in their usual location in the files.

To navigate faster, press the N key on your keyboard for Next and the P key for Previous.

Click on a visual to start it, or type a new keyword to search again.

Browse for Visuals Based on Their Function

To browse visual templates and examples, click Templates under New.

In the central Template Preview Area, you'll find a series of file folders labeled with categories of visual types.

Click on one of these folders to open it and view a choice of related visuals and examples.

Open a Template You've Created

If you have saved a visual as a template, a third option under New appears: My Templates. Click on this to view the templates you have created.

Click on a template to start a new visual using that template. When you save, it will create a new file rather than saving over your saved template.

Navigate the template screen with just your keyboard. Press the B key to open Basics, the T for Templates, and R for Recently used.

Open a Recently Used Document

To open a saved visual you have recently worked on, click on Documents under Recent.

Your visuals appear in the central Template Preview Area as thumbnails. Click on the visual you wish to open.

Open a Recently Visited Template

SmartDraw keeps track of any visual template you open, even if you don't do anything in it. To find a template you opened recently, click Templates under Recent.

Click on a template button in the middle of the screen to open it.