Data modeling

Data modeling feature in Memgraph Lab provides a versatile platform for creating, editing, and managing visual representations of your graph schemas. It’s designed to allow developers and data engineers to structure complex relationships clearly and intuitively, offering flexibility in organizing and visualizing their ideas. Users can easily save, load, and revisit their models, making it simple to manage multiple projects or iterations.

How it works

Create elements

Schemas can be expanded in several intuitive ways. You can create completely new nodes on the canvas, or quickly grow your schema by connecting nodes with edges.

Nodes

Create a node
Double-click on an empty space to create a new node.

Drag from a handler
When you drag from a handler of an existing node into empty space, a new node is created.

Quick expansion
If you simply click a handler, a new node will appear automatically in one of the four directions.

Preview mode
Press n (or use the toolbox) to see where the next node will appear before creating it.

Edges

Create an edge
Drag from a handler of one node to an existing node to connect them with an edge.

Automatic edges
Every time you create a new node from an existing one, an edge is automatically generated. This makes schema expansion fast and seamless.

This enables the rapid construction of both simple and complex schemas directly on the canvas.

Edit elements

Once created, nodes and edges can be styled and adjusted to better reflect the structure of your data. Editing can be done directly on the canvas, through the toolbox, or via the sidebar for more detailed control.

Nodes

Toolbox options
When you select a node, the toolbox appears with options to delete it or change its color and size.

Sidebar editing
The node sidebar provides more detailed editing, including labels and properties.

Inline labels
Labels on the canvas can also be edited directly.

Edges

Toolbox options
When you select an edge, the toolbox allows you to delete it or change its direction.

Sidebar editing
The edge sidebar lets you edit the edge label and properties.

Inline labels
Edge labels on the canvas can also be edited directly.

This flexibility allows you to quickly adjust both the visual style and the semantic information of your model without leaving the canvas.

Shortcuts

Manage data models

All models created using the data modeling can be accessed and managed from the Saved models tab. This view provides a table that lists all previously stored models along with their key information:

• Name: The model name defined when it was created.
• State: Shows whether the model is valid or invalid.
• Last modified: The date and time when the model was last updated.
• Actions: Each entry includes the following actions:
  • Edit: Opens the model in edit mode.
  • Delete: Permanently removes the model from the list.

This centralized overview makes it easy to keep track of multiple models, quickly jump back into editing, or clean up unused models. A search option is also available, allowing you to filter models by name.

Import and export models

Export model

Models can be exported only if they are in a valid state.

The export option is available from the menu next to the editor. Three formats are supported: SVG, PNG, and JSON. While SVG and PNG provide static visual representations of the model, the JSON export contains both the model data (aligned with the SHOW SCHEMA INFO output) and additional metadata such as styles.

Import from JSON

Currently, only JSON files exported from the application can be imported back. These files include both the model data definition and metadata required to restore the original layout and styles. Importing a JSON file always creates a new model, populated with the information contained in the file.

Import from the current graph schema

Models can also be created directly from the current graph schema. This option is available via the Edit schema button in the Graph schema tab. Selecting it generates a new model populated with the data present in the graph schema at that moment, making it easy to start editing based on the live graph structure.