Sequence Diagrams for Confluence

Description

A Confluence macro for creating sequence diagrams from plain-text instructions.

Based on Andrew Brampton's excellent js-sequence-diagrams, this app is a macro wrapper enabling sequence diagrams to be easily embedded into a Confluence page.

Need to attach sequence diagrams to Jira issues? Check out Sequence Diagrams for Jira

Usage

Start by creating/editing a page in Confluence

Insert the macro either

via the Macro Browser (under "visuals", or search for "Sequence Diagram")
or by simply typing {sequence-diagram (Data Center), or /sequence-diagram (Cloud)

Choose a theme for the diagram (either "simple" or "hand")

Specify your diagram insructions in the macro body as per the notation examples

Example Syntax

title: Diagram title
participant A
participant B
A->B: Normal line
B-->A: Dashed line
A->>B: Open arrow
B-->>A: Dashed open arrow
note left of A: Note to the left of A
note right of B: Note to the right of B
note over A: Note over A
note over A,B: Note over both A and B

Notes

You may insert multiple sequence diagrams on a page, and each diagram can use a different theme

Supported Java vendors (Server/Data Center version)

The app has been verified to support the following Java vendors:

Oracle JRE / JDK
AdoptOpenJDK

Migrating between Server, Data Center and Cloud versions

Versions of Sequence Diagrams for Confluence are available for all Atlassian Confluence platforms (Server, Data Center and Cloud).

The features available in the app are the same, regardless of which platform you use.

Additionally, because data used by the macro is stored within the page content itself, migrating between platforms (e.g. moving from Server to Cloud, from Server to Data Center, or from Cloud back to self-hosted/on-premise) requires no additional steps.

For example, pages moved to the Cloud using the Confluence Cloud Migration Assistant should display the same as they did in your Server or Data Center instance, or vice-versa.

Limitations

Export to PDF/Word

The rendered diagram is a vector graphic (SVG) generated dynamically in the browser using Javascript.

For this reason, it is not possible to include diagrams when exporting with Export to PDF or Export to Word, as these static export formats are generated on the Confluence server.

Common Mistakes

If you include a diagram title, make sure to include a colon (:) after the word 'title', e.g. title: My Diagram
If you listed the participants, do not include a colon after the word 'participant', e.g. participant Bob

Still having trouble?

Sometimes it helps to start with a very simple diagram first, such as A->B: test

Make sure that is working first, before gradually adding more actors, messages, notes etc.

Security & Privacy Statement

Sequence Diagrams for Confluence is a paid app for Atlassian Confluence Server & Data Center (on premise installations) and Atlassian Confluence Cloud (cloud hosted).

Server & Data Center Version

The server version is implemented as a Java JAR, using the Atlassian SDK.

When installed, the app runs entirely within the Confluence server process.

Neither the app provider or any other party is able to view the content of your Confluence pages.

Cloud Version

The cloud version runs entirely on the Atlassian platform via Forge ("Runs on Atlassian").

No data is transmitted outside the Atlassian platform.

Neither the app provider or any other party is able to view any content of your Confluence pages or users.

Effective as of February 24, 2026.