How to Migrate from Lucidchart to Flowova: Complete Guide

Step-by-step guide for migrating your flowcharts and diagrams from Lucidchart to Flowova. Covers export options, workflow changes, and tips for a smooth transition.

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Thinking about switching from Lucidchart to Flowova? Whether you're looking for faster flowchart creation, simpler pricing, or AI-powered generation, this guide walks you through the migration process step by step.

TL;DR: Migration overview

  1. Export from Lucidchart → PNG, SVG, or Visio format
  2. Recreate in Flowova → Use AI generation from descriptions or manual editing
  3. Update your workflow → Leverage Flowova's text-to-flowchart capabilities
  4. Share with team → Replace embedded diagrams with new Flowova links

Migration time: 5-15 minutes per diagram depending on complexity.

Why teams switch from Lucidchart

Before diving into the how, here's why organizations typically make this move:

Speed: Lucidchart requires manual drawing. Flowova generates flowcharts from text descriptions in seconds. For teams creating many process diagrams, this saves hours.

Simplicity: Lucidchart offers dozens of diagram types and hundreds of shape libraries. If you only need flowcharts, this complexity becomes overhead.

Pricing: Lucidchart's per-seat pricing adds up quickly for growing teams. Flowova's simpler pricing (including a lifetime option) can reduce long-term costs.

AI-native workflow: Flowova was built around AI generation. Lucidchart added AI as a feature to an existing manual tool.

What you can and can't migrate

Direct migration (supported)

  • Visual exports: PNG, SVG, PDF images of your diagrams
  • Mermaid code: If you've exported to Mermaid, Flowova can import it directly

Requires recreation

  • Editable diagrams: Lucidchart's native format (.lucid) isn't compatible with other tools
  • Linked data: Data-linked diagrams need manual setup in the new tool
  • Comments and history: These don't transfer between platforms

Not applicable in Flowova

  • Non-flowchart diagrams: UML, ER diagrams, network diagrams, org charts—Flowova focuses on flowcharts specifically
  • Real-time collaboration: Flowova uses share links and comments rather than simultaneous editing

Step 1: Audit your Lucidchart documents

Before migrating, take inventory:

Identify what to migrate

Open your Lucidchart document list and categorize:

  1. Active flowcharts: Used regularly, need to migrate
  2. Reference diagrams: Occasionally viewed, export as images
  3. Archived content: Rarely accessed, may not need migration
  4. Non-flowcharts: UML, ER diagrams, etc.—keep in Lucidchart or use specialized tools

Prioritize by usage

Start with your most-used flowcharts. This lets you:

  • Learn the migration process on important documents
  • Get team feedback early
  • Show value quickly

Document embedded locations

Where are your Lucidchart diagrams embedded?

  • Confluence pages
  • Google Docs
  • Internal wikis
  • Presentations

You'll need to update these after migration.

Step 2: Export from Lucidchart

Option A: Export as images (simplest)

For reference diagrams you won't need to edit:

  1. Open the document in Lucidchart
  2. Click File → Download
  3. Choose PNG (for web) or SVG (for scaling)
  4. Select quality settings and download

These serve as visual references while you recreate in Flowova.

Option B: Export as Visio (if available)

If you have a Lucidchart plan that supports Visio export:

  1. Click File → Download
  2. Choose Visio (.vsdx)
  3. Save the file

This preserves more structure but still requires recreation in Flowova.

Option C: Copy the process description

For flowcharts you'll recreate with AI:

  1. Open the Lucidchart diagram
  2. Read through the flow and write a text description of the process
  3. Include: start point, steps, decision points, end points
  4. Save this text for Flowova's AI generator

Example text description:

Customer submits support ticket. System assigns ticket number and routes
to appropriate team based on category. Agent reviews ticket. If more
information needed, agent requests from customer. Once complete, agent
resolves issue and closes ticket. System sends satisfaction survey.

Step 3: Recreate in Flowova

The fastest approach for most flowcharts:

  1. Go to Flowova
  2. Paste your process description in the text input
  3. Click Generate
  4. Review the generated flowchart
  5. Make adjustments if needed using the visual editor
  6. Save and export

Pro tip: Be specific in your description. Include decision criteria and branch conditions for better results.

Method 2: Mermaid import

If you have Mermaid code:

  1. Go to Flowova's Mermaid tool
  2. Paste your Mermaid syntax
  3. Generate the visual flowchart
  4. Edit and save

Method 3: Manual recreation

For complex flowcharts needing precise control:

  1. Open the Lucidchart diagram as reference (or use your exported image)
  2. Create a new flowchart in Flowova
  3. Add nodes and connections manually
  4. Use Flowova's auto-layout to clean up positioning

Step 4: Update embedded diagrams

Confluence

  1. Open the page with the embedded Lucidchart diagram
  2. Remove or keep the old embed (for comparison)
  3. Add Flowova diagram:
    • Export as PNG/SVG and upload as image, or
    • Use Flowova's share link and embed as iframe

Google Docs

  1. Export Flowova diagram as PNG
  2. In Google Docs, replace the Lucidchart image with the new file
  3. Or use Insert → Image → By URL with Flowova's image link

Notion / Other wikis

Similar process:

  1. Export from Flowova
  2. Upload or embed in your wiki
  3. Update any links to the old Lucidchart document

Step 5: Adjust your workflow

Old workflow (Lucidchart)

  1. Open blank canvas
  2. Drag shapes from library
  3. Connect with arrows
  4. Format and align
  5. Share with team

New workflow (Flowova)

  1. Write or paste process description
  2. Generate flowchart with AI
  3. Review and adjust
  4. Export or share link

Workflow tips

Leverage existing documentation: Have SOPs, runbooks, or process docs? Paste them directly into Flowova. The AI extracts the flow structure.

Use templates: Browse Flowova's templates for common processes. Faster than starting from scratch.

Export Mermaid for developers: If your team uses Mermaid in documentation, export from Flowova in Mermaid format. Keeps technical docs in sync.

Migration timeline

Individual user

  • Day 1: Export key diagrams, recreate top 3-5 flowcharts in Flowova
  • Week 1: Migrate remaining active flowcharts
  • Ongoing: Create new diagrams in Flowova, update embeds as you encounter them

Team migration

  • Week 1: Pilot with 2-3 team members on non-critical flowcharts
  • Week 2: Gather feedback, document best practices
  • Week 3-4: Roll out to full team, migrate shared documents
  • Month 2: Cancel Lucidchart subscriptions as renewal dates approach

Handling specific diagram types

Simple linear flows

Lucidchart: Manually drag 5-10 rectangles, connect with arrows Flowova: Describe the steps in order, generate instantly

Migration time: ~2 minutes

Decision trees

Lucidchart: Add diamonds, manage multiple branches manually Flowova: Describe conditions ("if approved, then... otherwise..."), AI structures the branches

Migration time: ~5 minutes

Swimlane diagrams

Lucidchart: Native swimlane support Flowova: Generate the flow, organize visually by actor

Migration time: ~10 minutes (may need more manual adjustment)

Complex multi-page diagrams

Lucidchart: Multiple pages, linked connectors Flowova: Break into separate focused flowcharts, link between them

Migration time: 15+ minutes depending on complexity

Common migration questions

Will I lose my Lucidchart data?

No. Lucidchart keeps your documents until you delete them. You can maintain both tools during transition.

Can I import .lucid files into Flowova?

No. Lucidchart's native format is proprietary. You'll need to recreate diagrams using one of the methods above.

What about team permissions and sharing?

You'll set up new sharing in Flowova. Use share links for view access. Team workspaces require a Pro plan.

Should I cancel Lucidchart immediately?

We recommend a transition period:

  1. Stop creating new diagrams in Lucidchart
  2. Migrate active documents over 2-4 weeks
  3. Keep Lucidchart access for reference during transition
  4. Cancel when migration is complete

What if I need diagram types Flowova doesn't support?

For UML, ER diagrams, network diagrams, or other specialized types:

  • Keep Lucidchart for those specific needs
  • Use draw.io as a free alternative
  • Flowova focuses on flowcharts—use the best tool for each job

Checklist: Complete migration

  • Audit Lucidchart documents and prioritize
  • Export images of all diagrams as backup
  • Write text descriptions for AI recreation
  • Recreate top-priority flowcharts in Flowova
  • Test sharing and export workflows
  • Update embedded diagrams in docs/wikis
  • Train team on new workflow
  • Set Lucidchart cancellation date
  • Archive exported Lucidchart files

Get started

Ready to make the switch?

  1. Create your first Flowova flowchart – Try AI generation on a real process
  2. Browse templates – Find starting points for common workflows
  3. Compare features – Detailed Flowova vs Lucidchart comparison

Migration doesn't have to happen all at once. Start with one flowchart, experience the speed difference, and expand from there.

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