The Styling panel is your tool for formatting the diagram pane and the contents of elements and attributes.

Depending on what you select on the pane, different tabs are available:

The Styling panel is hidden by default. If you use the panel preset, you can find the icon of the styling panel in the right upper corner of the diagram pane. Click it to display the panel.

To return to the panel preset, go to the user preferences and use the button Reset Panels.

Refer to Customizing Editors and Panels for detailed information about panel management in general.

Application Options

Use the styling panel to change the formatting of elements and attributes or of the diagram pane itself. Depending on what you click on the panes, different tabs are available:

Tab in Styling PanelAvailabilityOptions
Attributes

The Attributes tab is available for all BPMN elements and for the diagram pane itself.

Diagram Tab Diagram is only available if you click on the diagram pane.
Shape The Shape tab is available for all BPMN elements.
Text

Tab Text is only available for the following elements:

Options of Tab Attributes

Use the Attributes tab to change the styling of an element's attribute on the diagram pane.

You can display the attributes of an element on the diagram pane:

Select the attribute you want to show in the Attributes panel and move it to the pane by using drag & drop.

For some elements the attribute Name is displayed by default. If it has been deleted, it can be re-inserted on the pane in the way described.

As soon as you have created an attribute of an element on the diagram pane, the Styling panel will show the tab Attributes.

Open this tab to edit the formatting of the displayed attributes.

Font

Use this section to select the font for display of the element's attributes on the diagram pane. You have also several formatting options.

Font Size

In this section you can change the font size of the element's attributes on the diagram pane.

Font Color

You can also adapt the font color of the element's attributes on the diagram pane. Click on the color placeholder, then use the color picker to select a new color or enter the hexadecimal code of the desired color:

Word Wrap

By default, the element's attributes are displayed in a single line on the diagram pane. When the word wrap option is disabled, a placeholder (...) indicates that more text is available but hidden:

In the attribute Description you can also enter line breaks using Ctl + Enter. To show the text including your line breaks, activate the word wrap option:

A placeholder (...) indicates that more text is available but hidden. If you want to display the whole text, resize the attribute on the diagram pane. Go to page Resizing BPMN Elements for detailed information.

Display Name of Attribute

Activate the checkbox if you also want to display the names of the attributes on the diagram pane.

Options of Tab Diagram

Tab Diagram is only available if you click directly on the diagram pane.

It contains all layout options applicable to your workspace.

Background Color

If you want to select a background color, activate the checkbox and click on the color placeholder that will appear.

Then use the color picker to select a new color or enter the hexadecimal code of the desired color:

Grid Color

The checkbox is activated by default. If you want to change the grid color, click on the color placeholder to display the color picker. Use the color picker to select a new color or enter the hexadecimal code of the desired color.

If the checkbox is disabled, the grid is is not displayed, but it is still in use: Elements still snap to the grid.

Grid Distance

The checkbox is activated by default. Change the grid distance by changing the number of pixels. If the checkbox is disabled, the grid will neither be displayed nor used: Elements can be moved freely on the diagram pane.

Grid Style

The drop-down list offers two options to choose from:

  • Dots
  • Lines

Options of Tab Shape

In tab Shape you find all options to change the appearance of an element on the diagram pane.

Tab Shape contains different options depending on your selection on the pane:

Shape Options for BPMN Elements

Background Color

If you want to change the background color of the element, click on the color placeholder.

Then use the color picker to select a new color or enter the hexadecimal code of the desired color:

Border Color

If you want to change the border color of the element, click on the color placeholder to display the color picker.

Opacity

Changes of the opacity apply equally to background and border color.

Shape Options for Relations

Line Color

If you want to change the color of the arrow, click on the color placeholder to display the color picker.

Use the color picker to select a new color or enter the hexadecimal code of the desired color:

Line Style

You have three options for the style of the arrow line. Use the drop-down list to select the desired option.

Arrow at Start

Open the drop-down list to select the styling for the arrow head.

Arrow at End

Open the drop-down list to select the styling for the arrow end.

Line Width

Use this option to change the width of the arrow line.

Options of Tab Text

Tab Text is only available for the elements Service Task, User Task and Receive Task because these elements contain text content:

Font

Use this section to select the font for the text within the element. You have also several formatting options.

Font Size

In this section you can change the font size of the text within the element.

Font Color

You can also adapt the font color of text within the element. Click on the color placeholder. Then use the color picker to select a new color or enter the hexadecimal code of the desired color:

Word Wrap

By default, element names can only be displayed in a single line. When the word wrap option is activated, the text will fill the available space in the element:

When the option is disabled, a placeholder (...) indicates that more text is available but hidden:

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