Work with default styles

draw.io 27 Jan 2023

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When you set a default style for shapes and connectors in draw.io, all subsequent shapes that you add from the shape library will use that default style. This includes shape outline or connector line colour, thickness and style, shape fill colour and effects, opacity and more.
Set a default shape or connector style in draw.io

See how to apply shape styles and connector styles

Set a default style

Connector styles and shape styles each have their own default style, so you need to set them separately.

  1. Style your shape or connector on the drawing canvas first.
  2. While it is selected, click on Set as Default Style from the Style tab of the format panel.

Shapes and connectors that you add from the shape libraries on the left or from the toolbar above the drawing canvas in simple mode will always use the default style.

Tip: Hover over any shape in the shape libraries to see if a default style has been set.
Hover over any shape in the shape libraries to see it styled with your default style

The connector default style will be applied to connectors you drag from the shape library.
Hover over a connector in the shape libraries to see it styled with the default style

When you double-click on a blank section of the drawing canvas, the shape selection box will also use the default shape style.
Double click to add a new shape using your default style via the shape selection box

Clear the default style

With nothing selected in your diagram, click on Clear Default Style in the Diagram tab in the format panel.
With nothing selected in your diagram, click on Clear Default Style to reset both the shape and connector default styles

This will reset both the shape default style and the connector default style.

Context-sensitive styles from existing shapes

When you hover over a direction arrow, you can select a shape to add and connect in one step. This shape will always take the style of the shape you are using as a reference - not the default style.
Context-sensitive shape selection box from an existing shape

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