References & Refactoring

This feature requires a paid license. With a Core license, available for Flowchart, Sequence, Class, State, ER, and Block diagrams, plus Swimlane as a Flowchart variant. With a Studio license, available for all diagram types. Compare editions →

Mermaid Studio provides references for named elements in supported diagrams along with refactoring support to help you safely rename nodes and navigate your diagrams.

Rename a Node

To rename a node and automatically update all its references:

1. Place your cursor on the node name
2. Use one of these methods:
   • Press Shift + F6 ShiftF6 Shift + F6 ShiftF6
   • Right-click and select Refactor -> Rename
3. Type the new name
4. Press Return Return Enter Enter to apply

All references to that node throughout the diagram are updated automatically.

Find Usages

To see everywhere a node is referenced:

1. Place your cursor on a node
2. Press Option + F7 OptionF7 Alt + F7 AltF7
3. Or right-click and select Find Usages

The results appear in a tool window showing all locations where the node is used.

Go to Definition

Command + click Commandclick Control + click Controlclick on any node reference to navigate directly to where the node is defined.

Supported Diagram Types

Refactoring is available in the diagram types below; the list is generated from the plugin’s feature report, so it tracks each release. Which identifiers are renameable follows each grammar: node and subgraph ids in flowcharts, participants in sequence diagrams, class members and type references in class diagrams, branch names in GitGraph, CSS class names wherever a grammar has them, and so on.

• Architecture
• Block
• C4
• Class
• Entity Relationship
• Event Modeling
• Flowchart
• Gantt
• Git Graph
• Journey
• Kanban
• Mindmap
• Quadrant
• Radar
• Railroad (EBNF)
• Requirement
• Sankey
• Sequence
• State
• Swimlane
• Treemap

21 of 33 diagram types · reflects plugin 2026.3.6