Create a UML component diagram

Start a component diagram

1. Start Visio. Or if you have a file open already, click File > New.

2. Go to Categories > Software and Database > UML Component.

3. Select the blank template or one of the three starter diagrams. When you’ve picked the template you want, click Create.

4. You should see the Shapes window next to the diagram. If you don’t see it, go to View > Task Panes and make sure that Shapes is selected. If you still don’t see it, click the Expand the Shapes window button on the left.

5. On the View tab, make sure the check box next to Connection Points is selected. This will make connection points appear when you start connecting shapes.

6. Now, drag shapes you want to include in your diagram from the Shapes window to the page. To rename text labels, double-click the labels.

Component shapes

When to use

Use component shapes for each functional unit in your system or application.

Show or hide stereotype

Right-click the shape to show or hide the stereotype label.

Subsystems

You can use the component shape as a subsystem shape that contains other components. Just resize it to be larger, and drop other components on top of it. When you see the green highlight, let go. From that point on the larger shape will act as a container, and the smaller shape will move with it.

Tip: If a component disappears after dragging it on top of another component, then bring it to the front by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+F.

Interface shapes

When to use

1. Use the Provided Interface shape when you want to specify the realization of a class/interface.

2. Use the Required Interface when you want to specify a dependency on a class/interface.

Step 1

Drag a Provided Interface shape to the page, and line up the port square with a connection point. You know it’s connected when you see the green highlight around the connection point.

Step 2

Drag a Required Interface shape to the page, and line up the port square with a connection point as well. You know it’s connected when you see the green highlight around the connection point.

Step 3

To connect both a Provided and Required interface together, first select the Required Interface shape. Then look for the yellow handle.

Step 4

Drag the yellow handle to connect with the Provided Interface.

Tips for connectors

Straighten connectors

If a connector is taking too many turns, right-click it, and then click Straight Connector.

Show multiplicity

If needed, right-click the connector and select Show Multiplicity. When you’re done, four text boxes appear where you can add details. If you do not need all the text boxes, delete the ones you don’t need.

Change connector type

You can change a connector type. For example, you can change from an Association to a Directed Association. Right-click the connector, and then click Set Connector Type.

Make dynamic connections instead of point connections

If you anticipate moving shapes a lot, consider making a dynamic connection instead of a point connection.

Move or rotate text on connectors

Most likely you’ll need to rotate or move text on your connector lines. Here’s how to do that:

1. Click an empty area of the page to deselect anything that may be selected.

2. On the Home tab, in the Tools group, click the Text Block tool

3. Click the connector that has text your want to rotate or move.

4. Drag the text block to move it, or rotate it using the Rotation Handle

5. When you’re done, click the Pointer Tool button

   After you switch back to the Pointer Tool button , the text keeps the same position relative to the shape. If you use the Pointer Tool to drag the text, the shape will also move. To move the text independently of the shape, go back to the Text Block Tool .