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Log in with your Ellie account: you can have an Ellie account created based on your email address. Enter your email address as your username, your Ellie password, and click Login. If you don’t know your password or have forgotten it, you can also reset your Ellie account’s password from the login page by clicking on the Reset password button.
Log in with your SSO provider: if your organization has enabled Azure Active Directory or Okta user management in Ellie, you can use the Login using Microsoft or Login using Okta button to log in with your Microsoft/Okta credentials. Note that usually your Microsoft/Okta account is entirely managed by your own IT department; if either of these login options is used in your organization, you cannot change your account details or reset your password from Ellie. If you’re unsure whether or not the Microsoft or Okta account login has been enabled in your organization, please check with your own Ellie admins.
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Accessing models
Data models Models in Ellie can be accessed from the front page under the Models header. The list shows the models that have recently been updated; you can see the full list of models by clicking on either the Models header or the View all models button below the list. Clicking on a model name on the list of recently updated models takes you directly to that particular model.
Model names in blue are conceptual models, whereas model names in grey are logical models.
Clicking the blue plus icon next to the header allows you to create new conceptual or logical models.
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The Conceptual Modeling Canvas
When you open an existing conceptual model or create a new one, you will be directed to the Conceptual Modeling Canvas.
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On the top of the view, you’ll see the basic black navigation/search bar that is used everywhere in Ellie. Click on the Ellie logo in the top-left corner to navigate back to the main page.
Toolbar
Under the navigation/search bar, you’ll see the toolbar. From left to right, the toolbar has:
Undo/Redo buttons: these will allow you to undo and redo any actions you have done on the canvas.
NOTE: if multiple users are using the same canvas at the same time, you can only undo or redo your own actions!
The T button for textboxes: click and drag new textboxes to the canvas from here. Textboxes can be resized and the text in them edited freely on the canvas.
Zoom functionalities: you can use the -/+ zoom functionalities from the toolbar, or alternatively you can simply use mouse scroll for zooming in and out. The Fit To View functionality automatically zooms and moves the canvas so that the entire model fits your current screen.
Model status: you can use this to set the model status from “Work in Progress” to other values.
NOTE: currently, the model status is informational only - the status is shown to everyone, but it doesn’t control workflows or access levels to the model.
Convert button: this allows you to convert the current conceptual model into a new logical model. The logical model will be created with the exact same entities and relationships as the conceptual model. The new logical entities will be automatically pre-filled with attributes based on the attribute information of your conceptual entities, they will be named after the conceptual entities, and they will be automatically linked with the conceptual entities. You can then modify this logical model as you like - the conversion is intended to provide you with a simple starting point going forward. You can convert the same conceptual model as many times as you like; each conversion will create a new logical model.
Copy button: this allows you to create a model copy in a public or personal folder in the organization. When you make a copy of a model, entities will be reused and no new entities will be created.
Share button: this allows you to share a model link with your colleagues.
Export button: use this to download the model’s contents as files. The options are:
Export entities: downloads a CSV file containing all the model’s entities with their metadata
Export attributes: downloads a CSV file containing all the attributes that belong to the entities in the model, and their metadata
Export relations: downloads a CSV file containing all the relationships between the entities in the model
Export PDF: downloads the model diagram as a PDF file.
Sidebar
On the right-hand side of the canvas, you’ll find the sidebar. You can expand & collapse the sidebar by clicking on the arrows in the middle of the sidebar’s edge. The sidebar contains the following:
Search or Create Entity: this allows you to search for existing entities in the Glossaries as set in the folder settings to be added to the canvas, or to create new entities and add those to the canvas, provided that you have edit access to the model. If you only have read access, you won’t see this field. See below for more details on adding entities!
Model info: this section shows you the model name, its ID (that you can use e.g. for API calls), and its description (once you expand the section by clicking on the arrow). The name and the description can be edited here if you have edit access to the model.
Last edited: this shows you the model’s edit history. You can expand the section to see who has edited the model and when.
Relationship types: when expanded, this section shows you what the different “crow’s feet” mean in the relationships. This section is purely informational and the types can’t be edited.
Entity types: this section shows you the entity types that your organization uses. These are the various colors you can set for the entities if you have edit access. The entity types are customizable; if you have admin-level access to your organization’s Ellie, you can edit these types and colors. See here for more information.
Adding entities to a model
When you have edit access to a model in Ellie, you can use the Search or Create Entity functionality on the Conceptual Modeling Canvas to add entities to a model. There are two options: you can add existing entities from the available glossaries or create new entities directly within the model. Both actions are performed through the same search field.
For example, if you type “Customer” in the search field, and an entity with that name already exists in the organization’s glossary or the specific sub-glossary of the folder, it will appear in the search results. You can select it to add it to the canvas. If you type a new name, such as “Customer2,” that doesn’t yet exist in your current folder, pressing Enter will create that entity within the active folder's sub-glossary and add it to the canvas simultaneously.
Note: The search function will look for matches across both the organization-wide glossaries (as set in folder settings) and the current folder’s sub-glossary. You don’t need to type the entire entity name; partial matches (e.g., typing “cust”) will show all relevant options.
New entities created this way will be automatically assigned to the default entity type in your organization. The default type setting can be adjusted by your admins according to this guide.
Drawing relations
When you are done placing entities into your model, you can start drawing lines that will indicate a relationship between the entities. Just click on the border of a source entity, and, while holding the left mouse button down, drag your cursor until you reach the border of another entity. The relationship type will be drawn as a “one-to-many” relationship by default, but you can of course change this after you’ve drawn the relationship.
When you right-click on the end of a relationship line at the border of an entity, you will get to change the relationship type.
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Click on the
T in the top bar to add a free-format text box, excellent for further explaining the relationship between these two Entities, or for adding to-do notes or other additional text on the model canvas.
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You can also add descriptions directly to relationship lines: Click on a relationship line, in the exact place you want to have a relationship label. This creates an elbow. Now, right-click on the newly created elbow, and select Description from the context menu.
Type a description for this elbow, and it will be shown on the canvas. By default, the text will be displayed on top of the elbow, but you can drag and drop the text to four different positions around the elbow: left, right, top, or bottom.
In the example below, the description “is sent” is added to the elbow in the relationship between “Customer” and “Invoice” entities.
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Changing entity Size
When you move your mouse cursor on top of an entity, corners appear. Click and drag on the corners in order to resize the entity.
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Relationship types and cardinalities
When you first draw a relationship between two entities, it will be drawn as a “one-to-many” relationship.
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The notation used in Ellie to denote the cardinality of a relationship is the so-called “crow’s feet” notation. In this notation, the three prongs (the “foot”) mean “many”, and a straight line means “one”. This way, the above relationship is interpreted as “there can be many B for one A, and one A for each B”.
This is often quite enough to make the point, but you can also use more detailed cardinalities by choosing a different relationship type. For both “one” and “many”, you can choose “optional” and “mandatory” relationship types.
The example below uses “one-mandatory” and “many-optional” relationship types, and is interpreted as “there can be many B or no B at all for one A, and there must always be one and only one A for each B”.
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Entity Subtypes
Entities can have subtypes. Let’s look at an example of a travel agency industry to illustrate subtyping in Ellie.
Hotel Booking and Flight Booking are subtypes of Booking. Customer and Booking Notification are related to the main entity Booking, and Flight Booking and Hotel Booking have their own relationships.
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This kind of notation is used by e.g. Len Silverston in his Universal Data Models books, and by Graeme Simsion in his book Data Modeling Essentials.
In our experience, people can understand this notation quite intuitively. You can find a more detailed explanation of subtypes in Ellie from our Modeler’s Corner blog post subtypes in data modeling.
Entity types
The idea of entity types in Ellie is to make models more readable, faster to build, and easier to add information about the nature of the data you are seeing. This is based on the notion that there are certain similarities between data entities, even across different industries. We have seen that a simple categorization of entities helps here. This should be considered a “best practice style” that can be used on top of a normal conceptual model.
The entities are by default divided into six classes: Master data, Contract, Transaction, Reference, Transaction header, and Transaction detail.
You can find more information on Ellie’s Entity types from our Modeler’s Corner blog post on entity types. Note that the entity types are also completely customizable - your own organization’s Ellie admin can change the type options and their colors by following this guide.
Setting an entity type
Right-click on an Entity. Choose the Entity type from the context menu, and you’ll see a list of the available types and can select a new one. Note that this changes the entity’s type in the Glossary, not just on this particular model’s canvas - the change will be visible on all models that contain this entity!
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Linked entities
When you use an entity from another glossary within a model, it will appear on the canvas in italic font, indicating that this is a linked entity rather than one created in the active folder's glossary. This visual cue helps distinguish entities that originate from other folders or domains.
If you hover over the name of a linked entity, a tooltip will display the folder from which the entity originates, providing quick context about its source. If you lack write access to this entity, you won’t be able to change its Entity Type on the canvas, as modifying this attribute would impact the entity’s metadata across all models where it is usedin multiple ways.
The front page displays a list of recently updated models. Selecting a model from this list opens it directly in the modeling canvas.
Models are also organized into folders, which can be browsed using the left-hand sidebar. Both personal and organization folders are supported. Each folder may contain its own sub-glossary and a set of associated models.
New models are created from within a folder by selecting the blue Create + button in the top-right corner. The available options under Create Model include:
Whiteboard
Conceptual Model
Logical Model
Physical Model
The Create Entity menu allows the creation of Conceptual and Logical entities.
Model types are color-coded as follows:
Blue: Conceptual
Grey: Logical
Purple: Physical
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The Modeling Canvas
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Canvas layout and toolbar
The modeling canvas in Ellie is divided into three main areas: the top bar, the bottom toolbar, and a contextual panel.
Top bar
The top bar is split into two sections:
Top left:
Global navigation: Includes the Ellie logo, sidebar toggle (≡), and the search.
Ellie logo: Returns to the dashboard.
Sidebar toggle (≡): Opens the navigation panel.
Search: Opens the global asset search.
Folder and model name: Displays the current folder path (clickable for quick navigation) and model title with a model type label (e.g., CM, LM).
Top right:
+ (Add Entity): Opens the entity creation/search panel, which allows searching for existing entities or creating new entities. This panel includes:
A search bar for finding glossary entities defined in the folder’s settings
Options to create new conceptual or logical entities (depending on context and permissions)
Model status: Indicates the current workflow stage of the model (e.g. Work in Progress, Approved). The setting is informational and does not affect permissions.
More actions: A set of action buttons for common tasks (e.g., version history, model conversion, export, share). Additional options are available via the more actions (⋯) menu.
More actions toolbar
Model history: Enters the versioning view, where you can switch between snapshots — both autosaved and manually created. A filter lets you include or exclude automatic snapshots. To exit, use the X button or the Back to model button at the bottom.
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Convert model: Allows converting models between levels: Conceptual → Logical, Conceptual → Physical, and Logical → Physical.
Export model offers several export formats:
Entities, attributes, and relationships as CSV files
The canvas as a PDF or PNG image
The model structure as a DBT YAML file
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Model info expands into a collapsible panel that includes:
Model Info: Displays the model name, unique ID, and a text field for model description.
Last edited: Shows the edit history including dates and editor names.
Relationship types: A reference table showing relationship notations, their visual representations, and meanings.
Entity types: A reference list of available entity types and their assigned colors.
SQL export (physical model):Exports SQL for Snowflake or Fabric. Requires the correct DB engine set in Model Info.
The three vertical dots icon (also called a kebab menu) opens a small menu with options to Copy, Share, or Hide comments on the canvas.
Bottom toolbar
The bottom edge of the canvas contains persistent controls, split into two sections:
Bottom left: Navigation tools
Minimap: Opens a miniature overview of the model for easy navigation in larger canvases.
Zoom out / Fit to View / Zoom in: Controls the canvas zoom level. Fit to View automatically adjusts the view to include the full model.
Bottom center: Modeling tools
Undo / Redo: Reverses or re-applies the user’s latest actions. These only affect the actions of the current user.
Textbox (T): Adds a free-positioned text box to the canvas, which can be resized and moved. Useful for notes or instructions. Click the icon to enable the tool, then drag to create a text box anywhere on the canvas.
Autodraw: Automatically arranges the model layout to improve readability — no changes to the model itself.
Group: Adds a group box to visually organize entities that belong together. You can also give the group a name. Click the icon to enable the tool, then drag to create a group anywhere on the canvas.
Comment: Enables commenting mode for adding inline comment boxes and viewing all comment threads in the right-side panel. Comments move elements if placed on top of them. Click the icon again or press Esc to exit commenting mode.
Adding entities to a model
To add entities to a model, users with edit access can click the + (Add Entity) button in the top-right corner of the canvas. This opens a panel that includes a Search or Create Entity field.
There are two options:
Add existing entities: Typing a name will show matching entities from glossaries that are available in the folder (based on folder settings). Selecting one will place it on the canvas.
Create new entities: If the typed name does not match any existing entity, pressing Enter will create a new entity in the current folder’s sub-glossary and place it on the canvas. For the Logical and Physical levels, it is possible to create entities that would exist just on the model (local entities). At the conceptual level, all entities will belong to some glossary.
Note: The search covers both the folder’s own sub-glossary and any additional glossaries configured to be visible in that folder.
Entities created this way are automatically assigned the default entity type set by your organization. Admins can configure default types and the full list of available types in the organization settings (check this guide for more details).
Drawing relations
Once entities have been placed on the canvas, relationships between them can be created by drawing lines from one entity to another.
To create a relationship:
Hover over the border of a source entity
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Click and drag a line to the border of the target entity
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A relationship line will appear, defaulting to a one-to-many relationship. This can be modified after it has been placed.
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Right-click on the end of the relationship line (where it connects to the entity)
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Select a new relationship type from the context menu
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Adding text to relationships
You can add descriptions directly to relationship lines.
Click on the relationship line where you want the label to appear. This adds an elbow (a small corner point).
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Right-click the elbow and select Description.
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Enter your label text. It will be displayed on the canvas.
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Relationship labels can be repositioned relative to the elbow. Drag the label to one of four positions: top, bottom, left, or right.
Changing elements' size
When you move your mouse cursor on top of a canvas element (entity, group, textbox), corners appear. Click and drag on the corners to resize the element.
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Relationship types and cardinalities
When a relationship is first drawn between two entities, it is created as a one-to-many relationship by default.
Ellie uses crow’s feet notation to represent cardinalities:
A straight line indicates “one”
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A three-pronged line (the “foot”) indicates “many”
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For example, a one-to-many relationship from A to B means:
Each A is related to many B, and each B is related to one A.
After creating a relationship, its type can be adjusted by right-clicking on either end of the line and selecting from the available options.
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The available cardinality types include:
One: Exactly one
Many: An unspecified number greater than one
Exactly one: Fixed cardinality of one
One or more: At least one (mandatory many)
Zero or one: Optional, at most one
Zero or more: Optional, possibly many
Arrow: A directional link without cardinality (used for reference or flow)
These options allow the modeler to express both structure and business rules more precisely.
Entity Subtypes
Entities can have subtypes. Let’s look at an example of a travel agency industry to illustrate subtyping in Ellie.
Hotel Booking and Flight Booking are subtypes of Booking. Customer and Booking Notification are related to the main entity Booking, and Flight Booking and Hotel Booking have their own relationships.
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This kind of notation is used by e.g. Len Silverston in his Universal Data Models books, and by Graeme Simsion in his book Data Modeling Essentials.
In our experience, people can understand this notation quite intuitively. You can find a more detailed explanation of subtypes in Ellie from our Modeler’s Corner blog post subtypes in data modeling.
Entity types
The idea of entity types in Ellie is to make models more readable, faster to build, and easier to add information about the nature of the data you are seeing. This is based on the notion that there are certain similarities between data entities, even across different industries. We have seen that a simple categorization of entities helps here. This should be considered a “best practice style” that can be used on top of a normal conceptual model.
The entities are by default divided into six classes: Master data, Contract, Transaction, Reference, Transaction header, and Transaction detail.
You can find more information on Ellie’s Entity types from our Modeler’s Corner blog post on entity types. Note that the entity types are also completely customizable - your own organization’s Ellie admin can change the type options and their colors by following this guide.
Setting an entity type
Right-click on an Entity. Choose the Entity type from the context menu, and you’ll see a list of the available types and can select a new one. Note that this changes the entity’s type in the Glossary, not just on this particular model’s canvas - the change will be visible on all models that contain this entity!
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Linked entities
When you use an entity from another glossary within a model, it will appear on the canvas in italic font, indicating that this is a linked entity rather than one created in the active folder's glossary. This visual cue helps distinguish entities that originate from other folders or domains.
If you hover over the name of a linked entity, a tooltip will display the folder from which the entity originates, providing quick context about its source. If you lack write access to this entity, you won’t be able to change its Entity Type on the canvas, as modifying this attribute would impact the entity’s metadata across all models where it is used.
Entity groups
Entity Groups allow you to organize related entities visually and logically within your model. By grouping entities, you simplify navigation, enhance collaboration, and make your data model easier to understand and manage.
Key Features
Group Multiple Entities - Select and group related entities to reflect logical or physical relationships in your data model.
Move as One - When entities are grouped, they—and their internal relationships—move together on the canvas.
Model-Wide Support - Groups can be created in Conceptual, Logical, and Physical models.
Creating a Group
Group button from the toolbar
Give your group a name (optional but recommended for clarity).
Managing Groups
Add to Group: Drag and drop entities into an existing group.
Remove from Group: Drag the entity out of the group.
Rename Group: Double-click the group name.
Delete Group: Right-click the group container and choose “Delete Group” (entities will remain on the canvas).
How Groups Behave
Entities inside a group retain their relationships.
Moving the group moves all included entities and relationships.
Groups are non-hierarchical: no groups within groups (yet!).
Best Practices
Use groups to represent business domains, modules, or subsystems.
Name your groups to make their purpose clear to collaborators.
Keep groups focused—avoid cramming unrelated entities together.
The Logical Modeling Canvas
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More information on the Folder settings can be found in our Folder User Guide - https://ellie.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/ELLIE/pages/852230147/Using+Collections Working with folders and glossaries
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Using Sub-glossaries in Folders
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