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Unified Modeling Language (UML) is a standard way to draw software models, sketch out designs, or document existing designs and systems.

Note: If you're using Visio for the web, be aware that UML diagrams are available in Visio Plan 1, but are not available in Visio in Microsoft 365.

The UML diagrams available in Visio, divided into two categories of diagrams: Behavior and Structure diagrams.

In Visio Plan 2 and Visio 2019, you can start with a blank UML template or (in some cases) modify a UML starter diagram.

This subscription version of Visio supports UML shapes conforming to the UML 2.5 specification while also providing you the flexibility to use them as needed in your diagrams.

Class diagrams

Use a class diagram to make a general model of the structure of an application that specifies the system's classes, its attributes and methods, and the relationships between objects. 

Create a UML class diagram 

 Component diagrams

Use a component diagram to partition a system into cohesive components and show the structure of the code itself.

Create a UML component diagram

Deployment diagrams

Use a deployment diagram to show the structure of the run-time system and communicate how the hardware and software elements that make up an application will be configured and deployed.

Create a UML deployment diagram

Sequence diagrams

Use a sequence diagram to show the actors or objects participating in an interaction and the events they generate arranged in a time sequence.

Create a UML sequence diagram

Activity diagram

Use an activity diagram to describe the internal behavior of a method and represent a flow driven by internally generated actions.

Create a UML activity diagram

State machine diagrams

Use a state machine (or statechart) diagram to show the sequence of states an object goes through during its life. 

Create a UML state machine diagram 

Use case diagrams 

In the early stages of a development project, use use-case diagrams to describe real-world activities and motivations. You can refine the diagrams in later stages to reflect user interface and design details.

Create a UML use case diagram

Communication diagrams

Use a communication diagram to show which elements in a system interact with other elements in terms of sequenced messages. 

Create a UML communication diagram 

Database notation diagrams

Use a database notation diagram to draw a model of a database. 

Create a UML database notation diagram

Where is the UML Model Explorer?

If you’ve built UML diagrams in previous versions of Visio, you might remember using the Model Explorer. Diagrams made with the Model Explorer were locked against editing and some formatting. Beginning with Visio 2013 Professional, there is no Model Explorer. You simply drag the shapes from the stencils provided. The shapes are unlocked and more flexible, so you can change their behavior if needed. Drawings are also more customizable, yet they still meet the UML standard. We're sorry, but this also means that if you have a drawing created with Model Explorer, you can't work with it in newer versions of Visio that don't include Model Explorer. 

The UML diagrams available in Visio, divided into two categories of diagrams: Behavior and Structure diagrams.

In Visio for the web, you can choose from nine types of UML diagram types and numerous sample diagrams that have some shapes already drawn on the canvas. Each choice comes with a stencil that matches the type of diagram you select.

Note: Creating and editing UML diagrams on Visio for the web requires a Visio Plan 1 or Visio Plan 2 license, which is purchased separately from Microsoft 365. For more information, contact your Microsoft 365 admin. If your admin has turned on "self-service purchasing," you can buy a license for Visio yourself. For more details, see Self-service purchase FAQ.

This subscription version of Visio supports UML shapes conforming to the UML 2.5 specification while also providing you the flexibility to use them as needed in your diagrams.

Class diagrams

Use a class diagram to make a general model of the structure of an application that specifies the system's classes, its attributes and methods, and the relationships between objects. 

Create a UML class diagram 

 Component diagrams

Use a component diagram to partition a system into cohesive components and show the structure of the code itself.

Create a UML component diagram

Deployment diagrams

Use a deployment diagram to show the structure of the run-time system and communicate how the hardware and software elements that make up an application will be configured and deployed.

Create a UML deployment diagram

Sequence diagrams

Use a sequence diagram to show the actors or objects participating in an interaction and the events they generate arranged in a time sequence.

Create a UML sequence diagram

Activity diagrams

Use an activity diagram to describe the internal behavior of a method and represent a flow driven by internally generated actions.

Create a UML activity diagram

State machine diagrams

Use a state machine (or statechart) diagram to show the sequence of states an object goes through during its life. 

Create a UML state machine diagram 

Use case diagrams 

In the early stages of a development project, use use-case diagrams to describe real-world activities and motivations. You can refine the diagrams in later stages to reflect user interface and design details.

Create a UML use case diagram

Communication diagrams

Use a communication diagram to show which elements in a system interact with other elements in terms of sequenced messages. 

Create a UML communication diagram 

Database notation diagrams

Use a database notation diagram to draw a model of a database. 

Create a UML database notation diagram

The UML diagrams available in Visio, divided into two categories of diagrams: Behavior and Structure diagrams.

In Visio, you can start with a blank UML template and the appropriate stencil to create your UML diagram.

Class diagrams

Use a class diagram to make a general model of the structure of an application that specifies the system's classes, its attributes and methods, and the relationships between objects. 

Create a UML class diagram 

Sequence diagrams

Use a sequence diagram to show the actors or objects participating in an interaction and the events they generate arranged in a time sequence.

Create a UML sequence diagram

Activity diagram

Use an activity diagram to describe the internal behavior of a method and represent a flow driven by internally generated actions.

Create a UML activity diagram

State machine diagrams

Use a state machine (or statechart) diagram to show the sequence of states an object goes through during its life. 

Create a UML state machine diagram 

Use case diagrams 

In the early stages of a development project, use use-case diagrams to describe real-world activities and motivations. You can refine the diagrams in later stages to reflect user interface and design details.

Create a UML use case diagram

Database notation diagrams

Use a database notation diagram to draw a model of a database. 

Create a UML database notation diagram

Where is the UML Model Explorer?

If you’ve built UML diagrams in previous versions of Visio, you might remember using the Model Explorer. Diagrams made with the Model Explorer were locked against editing and some formatting. Beginning with Visio 2013 Professional, there is no Model Explorer. You simply drag the shapes from the stencils provided. The shapes are unlocked and more flexible, so you can change their behavior if needed. Drawings are also more customizable, yet they still meet the UML standard. We're sorry, but this also means that if you have a drawing created with Model Explorer, you can't work with it in newer versions of Visio that don't include Model Explorer. 

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