Importing Schemas

Import entities into the data model from 15 file formats: SQL DDL (6 dialects), draw.io, GraphML, GEXF, Graphviz DOT, PlantUML, Mermaid ERD, Neo4j Cypher, ERDPlus, StarUML, RDF/OWL, JSON Graph Format, Microsoft Visio, and OpenAPI.

February 16, 2026

NeoArc Studio supports importing entities from 15 external file formats into the central data model. Two import paths are available: SQL DDL Import for database scripts, and File Import for diagram tools, graph databases, and schema definition files. All imported entities become first-class model nodes with typed properties, validation, and group organisation.

SQL DDL Import

The SQL DDL Import dialog accepts SQL scripts from 6 database dialects and DBML notation. Paste DDL text directly or upload a .sql file.

What Gets Imported from SQL DDL

SQL DDL Import Example

The following PostgreSQL DDL creates two entities with a foreign key relationship.

CREATE TABLE customers (
  id UUID PRIMARY KEY,
  email VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL UNIQUE,
  name VARCHAR(100),
  created_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT NOW()
);

CREATE TABLE orders (
  id UUID PRIMARY KEY,
  customer_id UUID NOT NULL,
  total DECIMAL(10, 2) NOT NULL,
  status VARCHAR(20) DEFAULT 'pending',
  order_date TIMESTAMP DEFAULT NOW()
);

ALTER TABLE orders
  ADD CONSTRAINT fk_orders_customer
  FOREIGN KEY (customer_id) REFERENCES customers(id);

CREATE INDEX idx_orders_customer_id ON orders(customer_id);
CREATE INDEX idx_orders_status ON orders(status);

This produces two model entities: customers with 4 properties and orders with 5 properties, connected by a foreign key relationship from orders.customer_id to customers.id.

File Import (13 Formats)

The File Import dialog supports 13 external diagram and schema file formats. Formats that support text paste allow pasting content directly without uploading a file.

draw.io / diagrams.net

Imports entity shapes and connections from draw.io XML files. Supports compressed and uncompressed .drawio files. Entity shapes are extracted from the diagram cells, and connections between shapes become relationships.

GraphML

Imports nodes and edges from GraphML graph exchange files. GraphML is used by tools including yEd, Gephi, and NetworkX.

GEXF (Gephi)

Imports graph data from GEXF (Graph Exchange XML Format) files, commonly exported from Gephi.

Graphviz DOT

Imports graph definitions from Graphviz DOT language files. Parses node definitions, edge statements, and subgraph groupings.

PlantUML

Imports class and entity diagrams from PlantUML notation. Parses class definitions with fields and methods, and relationship arrows between classes.

Mermaid ERD

Imports entity-relationship diagrams from Mermaid ERD syntax. Parses entity blocks with typed attributes and relationship lines with cardinality.

erDiagram
    CUSTOMER {
        string id PK
        string name
        string email
    }
    ORDER {
        string id PK
        string customerId FK
        float total
        string status
    }
    CUSTOMER ||--o{ ORDER : places

Neo4j Cypher

Imports node and relationship definitions from Cypher CREATE statements. Parses node labels, properties, and relationship types.

ERDPlus

Imports entity-relationship diagrams from ERDPlus JSON export files. ERDPlus is a browser-based ER diagram tool used in database courses.

StarUML

Imports class diagrams from StarUML .mdj project files. StarUML projects are ZIP-compressed JSON files containing UML model elements.

RDF/OWL

Imports ontology definitions from RDF files. Supports both Turtle (.ttl) and RDF/XML (.rdf, .owl) serialisation formats. OWL classes become entities, and OWL object properties become relationships.

JSON Graph Format

Imports graph data from JSON Graph Format (JGF) files. JGF is a JSON-based graph exchange format with typed nodes and edges.

Microsoft Visio

Imports shapes and connections from Microsoft Visio diagram files. Extracts entity shapes, labels, and connector relationships from Visio's XML-based format.

OpenAPI Import

Import existing OpenAPI specifications to create REST API documentation. This import path creates API endpoints and schemas rather than data model entities.

Import Workflow

After Import

Once entities are in the model, they have access to all model capabilities.

Schema Export and Import

Export model entities to 24 schema formats including 12 SQL DDL dialects, GraphQL SDL, TypeScript, Prisma, Protocol Buffers, and more. Import from SQL DDL scripts across 6 database dialects, plus draw.io, GraphML, PlantUML, and other diagram tools.

Exporting Schemas

Export data model entities to 24 schema formats: 12 SQL DDL dialects, 7 schema definition languages (GraphQL SDL, TypeScript, Prisma, Avro, Protobuf, DBML, Mongoose), 3 graph/document formats, 3 diagram notations, and GraphML.

Getting Started with the Data Model

Create and configure the central data model that serves as the single source of truth for all entities, properties, and relationships in your project.