ERDPlus: Database Modeling Tool Guide
1 Overview
ERDPlus is a free online tool for creating database diagrams. This document outlines its main features and
usage.
2 Supported Diagram Types
• Entity-Relationship (ER) Diagrams
• Relational Models
• Data Flow Diagrams (DFD)
• SQL Diagrams
3 Key Features
• Drag-and-drop interface
• Creation capabilities:
– Entities
– Relationships
– Attributes
– Cardinalities
– Primary and foreign keys
• Export options:
– PNG images
– PDF documents
– SQL code
4 Advantages
• Free for basic use
• Browser-based access
• No installation required
• Intuitive interface
• Automatic saving
• Diagram sharing capabilities
1
5 Modeling Tools
5.1 ER Diagrams
• Entities (rectangles)
• Relationships (diamonds)
• Attributes (ovals)
• Cardinalities (1:1, 1:N, N:M)
5.2 Relational Models
• Tables
• Columns
• Primary/foreign keys
• Relationships
5.3 DFD Components
• Processes
• Data flows
• External entities
• Data stores
6 Usage Instructions
1. Visit [Link]
2. Create a free account
3. Select diagram type
4. Use interface tools
5. Save and export work
7 Use Cases
• Database design
• System documentation
• Teaching/Learning
• Project planning
• Stakeholder communication
2
8 Limitations
• Some advanced features are premium
• Requires Internet connection
• No real-time collaboration
• Limited export formats in free version
9 Best Practices
• Clear entity naming
• Precise relationship definitions
• Appropriate cardinality usage
• Readable diagram organization
• Design choice documentation
10 Tool Comparison
Feature ERDPlus [Link] MySQL Workbench
Free Yes* Yes Yes
Web-based Yes Yes No
SQL Export Yes No Yes
Collaboration Limited Yes No
Installation Required No Optional Yes
Table 1: Tool Comparison Matrix (*with premium features available)
Notes
The free version of ERDPlus provides most essential features needed for basic database modeling. Premium
features include advanced export options and additional collaboration tools.
