Guides

Document Tools

Insert Drawing

Create a diagram, sketch, org chart, or annotated visual in Google Docs™ or Google Slides™, save the editable source to Google Drive, and insert a PNG into your file.

Use Insert Drawing to open a large drawing canvas inside the add-on, create a visual, save the editable source to Google Drive, and place the finished result into the file you are working on. The feature works in Google Docs™ and Google Slides™.

The workflow keeps two versions of your drawing:

  • An editable .excalidraw file in Google Drive
  • A PNG image inserted into your document or slide

This makes it easy to reopen the same drawing later, update it, and replace the old image with a new version.

What You Can Do

  • Start a new blank drawing
  • Turn Mermaid diagram syntax into an editable diagram on the canvas
  • Add shapes, arrows, text, and freehand annotations
  • Save the editable drawing to Google Drive
  • Reopen a saved .excalidraw drawing from Drive
  • Insert the drawing into the current Google Doc or Google Slides presentation as a PNG
  • Reopen a linked drawing and replace the existing inserted image
  • Download the current drawing as .png, .svg, or .excalidraw

Where It Works

  • Google Docs™
  • Google Slides™

You can open the feature from:

  • Sidebar: Document Tools -> Export -> Insert Drawing
  • Extensions menu: Extensions > Text To Table Converter > Document Tools > Insert Drawing

Quick Start

  1. Open the feature

In Google Docs™ or Google Slides™, open the add-on and go to Document Tools -> Export -> Insert Drawing.

  1. Start a drawing

Click New drawing to open a blank canvas.

  1. Create your visual

Add the boxes, arrows, labels, or notes you need.

  1. Save the editable source

Click Save, enter a file name, and choose a Google Drive folder the first time you save.

Note: You need to save the drawing before you can insert it. The saved Drive file keeps the drawing editable later.

  1. Insert the PNG

Click Insert PNG. The drawing is exported and inserted into the active document or slide.

Update an Existing Drawing

  1. Select the old image

In Google Docs™, click the inserted drawing image. In Google Slides™, select the drawing image on the slide.

  1. Open Insert Drawing

Open the same feature again from Document Tools.

  1. Open the linked drawing

If the add-on detects a linked source file, click Open linked drawing.

  1. Edit and save

Make your changes, then click Save.

  1. Insert again

Click Insert PNG. If the selected image is linked to the same drawing, the add-on replaces it instead of adding a second copy.

Open a Saved Drawing from Drive

  1. Open Insert Drawing.
  2. Click Open drawing from Drive.
  3. Choose a saved .excalidraw file.
  4. Edit it, save it, and click Insert PNG when you are ready.

Use Mermaid to Build a Diagram

If you already have Mermaid diagram text, you can turn it into editable drawing elements inside the Excalidraw editor.

  1. Open Insert Drawing and start a new drawing or open an existing one.
  2. In the editor, open Generate -> Mermaid to Excalidraw.
  3. Paste or type your Mermaid definition.
  4. Check the preview and click Insert.
  5. Adjust the result on the canvas, then Save and Insert PNG when you are ready.

Supported Mermaid diagram types include:

  • Flowchart
  • Sequence
  • Class
  • Entity Relationship

Other Mermaid diagram types may be inserted as an image instead of fully editable shapes.

Tip: You can also try pasting Mermaid source directly onto the canvas. If the editor detects valid Mermaid syntax, it can convert the diagram automatically.

Tips and Limits

  • Save the drawing once before inserting it.
  • Use short descriptive names such as Sales Process Flow.excalidraw or Q2 Org Chart.excalidraw.
  • Select the old inserted image first when you want to replace it.
  • Keep the .excalidraw source file in Drive so you can edit the drawing later.
  • The inserted result is a PNG image, not a live editable drawing inside the document itself.
  • To edit a drawing later, you need access to the linked .excalidraw file in Google Drive.

Tip: For most office documents, simple boxes, arrows, labels, and a few colors are enough. Start with a small clear diagram before adding more detail.

Related Guides

  • Download Images - Extract and download images from Google Docs or Google Slides.
  • Video to GIF - Turn a short video clip into an animated GIF and insert it into Docs or Slides.