# How the Line9 editor works

Line9 lays out the diagram for you. What a diagram is made of, the editor's three modes, the cursor and the selection, and how to find what to do next.

The Line9 editor comes with [Line9 Pro](/docs/getting-started#line9-pro). Without Pro, you can try it on any diagram: see [Trying it without Line9 Pro](#trying-it-without-line9-pro).

## Line9 automatic layout

In the Line9 editor, you change the diagram itself instead of its text. You add, connect, rename and delete nodes, edges and groups, and Line9 places every node and edge for you. There is nothing to drag into place.

With Line9 Pro, Line9 writes your changes into the diagram's text when you leave the editor.

## What a flowchart is made of

The editor works on flowcharts, which are made of:

- **Nodes**: steps and decisions, each with a shape.
- **Edges**: the lines between nodes, with or without a label.
- **Groups**: boxes round related nodes, with a title.
- **Comments** and **text blocks**: notes beside the flow.

[Nodes, edges and groups](/docs/nodes-edges-and-groups) and [Comments and text blocks](/docs/comments-and-text-blocks) describe each one. On these pages, a node, edge or group is called an item.

## Keyboard, mouse or both

Every command has keys, and most can also be done with the mouse:

- **Double-click** a node to edit its label.
- **Right-click** an item, or press **Enter** in the editor, to see the commands for it, with their keys.
- Press **⌘K** (Mac) or **Ctrl+K** (Windows) to find any command by name.

![The commands for the Over £500? node: New node after, New node before, Delete, Edit label, Change label, Shape… and Group…, each with its keys.](/images/docs/screens/how-the-editor-works/context-menu.png)

Some keys wait for another key: `c` waits to know what to change. While one waits, a panel lists the keys that can follow.

![After pressing c, a panel lists the next available keys: c to change the label, e for an edge's label, and Esc to cancel.](/images/docs/screens/how-the-editor-works/next-keys.png)

To list every key that works at that moment, press `?`, or click **? keyboard hints** in the bar at the bottom.

> **If you use Vim:** The Line9 editor is inspired by Vim. It uses keys Vim users know, such as `h` `j` `k` `l`, `cc`, `dd`, `o`, `u` and `:q`. Here they move between and change nodes, edges and groups instead of lines of text.

## Modes: Edit, Visual and Insert

Choosing **EDIT** on the mode button opens the editor. Inside the editor there are three modes, and the bar at the bottom shows which one you're in.

| Mode       | What you're doing                         | How to get there                                          |
| ---------- | ----------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Edit**   | Working on the item the cursor is on      | Enter the editor                                          |
| **Visual** | Selecting several items to change at once | Press `v`, or Shift-click or ⌘-click (Ctrl-click) an item |
| **Insert** | Typing a label                            | Press `cc`, or double-click a node                        |

In Visual mode, press **Esc** or `v` to end the selection. In Insert mode, press **Enter** to keep the label.

## The cursor and selection

The cursor is a blue ring round one node, edge or group. Commands act on the cursor's item. To move it:

- Press the arrow keys, or `h` `j` `k` `l`, to go to the next node in that direction.
- Press `f`: a short code appears beside each node in view. Type a node's code to move to it.
- Press `/` and type part of a label to search. Press `n` for the next match.
- Click an item.

In Visual mode, each node you move to is added to the selection, and commands act on all of it.

![Line manager approves and Departmental executive approves both selected, each with a purple ring.](/images/docs/screens/how-the-editor-works/visual.png)

## Trying it without Line9 Pro

The Line9 editor comes with Line9 Pro. Without a Pro account, double-click a node or press **Enter**, and Line9 offers a preview. Choose **Try it** to use the editor on that diagram.

![The Try the editor box: Try it on this diagram. Without Pro, nothing you change here can be saved, copied or exported. Buttons: Sign in, Get Pro and Try it.](/images/docs/screens/how-the-editor-works/preview.png)

Nothing you change in the preview can be saved, copied or exported.

## Next

- [Editor tutorial](/docs/editor-tutorial): build a flowchart step by step.
- [Editor reference](/docs/editor): every command, with its keys and mouse action.