Automatic Layout

5 Dec 201824 minutes to read

Diagram provides support to auto-arrange the nodes in the Diagram area that is referred as Layout. It includes the following layout modes.

  • Hierarchical Layout
  • Organization Chart
  • Radial Tree

Hierarchical Layout

The Hierarchical Tree Layout arranges nodes in a tree-like structure, where the nodes in the hierarchical layout may have multiple parents. There is no need to specify the layout root.
To arrange the nodes in hierarchical structure, you need to specify the layout type as hierarchical tree. The following example shows how to arrange the nodes in a hierarchical structure.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • <div>
        <ej-diagram id="diagramCore" width="100%" height="450" [dataSourceSettings]="dataSourceSettings" 
        [layout]="layout" [defaultSettings]="defaultSettings" 
        [nodeTemplate]="nodeTemplate">
     </ej-diagram>
    </div>
  • JAVASCRIPT
  • import { Component } from '@angular/core';
    
    @Component({
        selector: 'ej-app',
        templateUrl: 'app/components/diagram/hierarchical-layout.component.html',
    })
    export class HierarchicalLayoutComponent {
        dataSourceSettings: Object;
        defaultSettings: Object;
        layout: Object;
        nodeTemplate: Object;
        constructor() {
            //Initializes data source
            let data = [
                {Name: "Steve-CEO"},
                {Name: "Kevin-Manager",ReportingPerson: "Steve-CEO"},
                {Name: "Peter-Manager",ReportingPerson: "Steve-CEO"},
                {Name: "John- Manager",ReportingPerson: "Peter-Manager"},
                {Name: "Mary-CSE ",ReportingPerson: "Peter-Manager"},
                {Name: "Jim-CSE ",ReportingPerson: "Kevin-Manager"},
                {Name: "Martin-CSE",ReportingPerson: "Kevin-Manager"}
                ];
                this.defaultSettings = {
                node: {
                    width: 100, height: 40,fillColor: '#88C65C',
                    labels: [{ name: 'label1', fontColor: 'white', fontSize: 12 }]
                },
                connector: { lineColor: '#000000', constraints: ej.datavisualization.Diagram.ConnectorConstraints.None, segments: [{ 'type': 'orthogonal' }], }
            };
            this.layout = { type: ' ej.datavisualization.Diagram.LayoutTypes.HierarchicalTree',orientation: "ej.datavisualization.Diagram.LayoutOrientations.TopToBottom", horizontalSpacing: 25, verticalSpacing: 35, marginX : 3, marginY: 3};
            this.nodeTemplate = function (diagram, node) {
                node.labels[0].text = node.Name;
            };
            this.dataSourceSettings = { id: 'Name', parent: 'ReportingPerson', dataSource: data};
        }
    }

    Automatic Layout

    NOTE

    You can ignore a particular Node from layout arrangement by setting its excludeFromLayout property as true.

    Radial Tree Layout

    The Radial Tree layout arranges nodes on a virtual concentric circles around a root node. Sub-trees formed by the branching of child nodes are located radially around the child nodes. This arrangement results in an ever-expanding concentric arrangement with radial proximity to the root node indicating the node level in the hierarchy. When no root node is set, the algorithm automatically considers one of the Diagram nodes as the root node.

    To arrange nodes in a radial tree structure, you need to set the layout.type as ej.datavisualization.Diagram.LayoutTypes.RadialTree. The following code illustrates how to arrange the nodes in a radial tree structure.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • //Initializes data source
    
    import { Component, ViewChild } from '@angular/core';
    import { EJComponents } from './../../ej/core';
    
    @Component({
        selector: 'ej-app',
        templateUrl: 'app/components/diagram/radial-tree.component.html'
    })
    
    export class RadialTreeComponent {
        @ViewChild('diagram') diagram: EJComponents<any, any>;
        dataSourceSettings: Object;
        defaultSettings: Object;
        layout: Object;
        pageSettings: Object;
        snapSettings: Object;
        tool: Object;
        nodeTemplate: Object;
        constructor() {
            let data =[
                    {
                        Id: "parent",
                        ImageUrl: "images/Clayton.png
                    },
                    {
                        Id: 1,
                        ImageUrl: "images/image55.png",
                        ReportingPerson: "parent"
                    },
                    {
                        Id: 2,
                        ImageUrl: "images/Robin.PNG",
                        ReportingPerson: "parent"
                    },
                    {
                        Id: 3,
                        ImageUrl: "images/Robin.PNG",
                        ReportingPerson: "parent"
                    },
                    {
                        Id: 4,
                        ImageUrl: "images/Paul.png",
                        ReportingPerson: "parent"
                    },
                    {
                        Id: 5,
                        ImageUrl: "images/image53.png",
                        ReportingPerson: "parent"
                    },
                    {
                        Id: 6,
                        ImageUrl: "images/Maria.png",
                        ReportingPerson: "parent"
                    },
                    {
                        Id: 7,
                        ImageUrl: "images/Jenny.png",
                        ReportingPerson: 3
                    },
                    {
                        Id: 8,
                        ImageUrl: "images/Thomas.PNG",
                        ReportingPerson: "parent"
                    },
                    {
                        Id: 9,
                        ImageUrl: "images/Jenny.png",
                        ReportingPerson: 2
                    },
                    {
                        Id: 10,
                        ImageUrl: "images/Thomas.png",
                        ReportingPerson: 2
                    },
                    {
                        Id: 11,
                        ImageUrl: "images/Maria.PNG",
                        ReportingPerson: 4
                    },
                    {
                        Id: 12,
                        ImageUrl: "images/Thomas.PNG",
                        ReportingPerson: 1
                    },
                    {
                        Id: 13,
                        ImageUrl: "images/Clayton.png",
                        ReportingPerson: 6
                    },
                    {
                        Id: 14,
                        ImageUrl: "images/Jenny.png",
                        ReportingPerson: 3
                    },
                    {
                        Id: 15,
                        ImageUrl: "images/Thomas.png",
                        ReportingPerson: 3
                    },
                    {
                        Id: 16,
                        ImageUrl: "images/John.png",
                        ReportingPerson: 6
                    },
                    {
                        Id: 17,
                        ImageUrl: "images/Jenny.png",
                        ReportingPerson: 4
                    },
                    {
                        Id: 18,
                        ImageUrl: "images/Robin.png",
                        ReportingPerson: 4
                    },
                    {
                        Id: 19,
                        ImageUrl: "images/Clayton.png",
                        ReportingPerson: 4
                    },
                    {
                        Id: 20,
                        ImageUrl: "images/image57.png",
                        ReportingPerson: 12
                    },
                    {
                        Id: 21,
                        ImageUrl: "images/Robin.png",
                        ReportingPerson: 5
                    },
                    {
                        Id: 22,
                        ImageUrl: "images/image51.png",
                        ReportingPerson: 6
                    },
                    {
                        Id: 23,
                        ImageUrl: "images/image55.png",
                        ReportingPerson: 19
                    },
                    {
                        Id: 24,
                        ImageUrl: "images/Thomas.png",
                        ReportingPerson: 8
                    },
                    {
                        Id: 25,
                        ImageUrl: "images/image56.png",
                        ReportingPerson: 8
                    },
                    {
                        Id: 26,
                        ImageUrl: "images/image55.png",
                        ReportingPerson: 1
                    },
                    {
                        Id: 27,
                        ImageUrl: "images/image57.png",
                        ReportingPerson: 13
                    },
                    {
                        Id: 28,
                        ImageUrl: "images/Robin.PNG",
                        ReportingPerson: 12
                    },
                    {
                        Id: 29,
                        ImageUrl: "images/Thomas.PNG",
                        ReportingPerson: 13
                    },
                    {
                        Id: 30,
                        ImageUrl: "images/image57.png",
                        ReportingPerson: 19
                    }
                ]
            this.dataSourceSettings = { id: 'Id', parent: 'ReportingPerson', dataSource: data };
            this.defaultSettings = {
                node: {
                    width: 50, height: 50,  borderColor: 'transparent', type: 'image'
                },
            };
            this.layout = {
            type: "ej.datavisualization.Diagram.LayoutTypes.RadialTree",
            horizontalSpacing: 30,
            verticalSpacing: 30
        };
            this.nodeTemplate = function (diagram, node) {
            node.name = node.Id;
            node.source = node.ImageUrl;
        };
        }
        ngAfterViewInit() {
            this.diagram.widget.fitToPage();
        }
    }

    Radial Layout

    Organizational Chart

    An organizational chart is a Diagram that displays the structure of an organization and relationships. To create an organizational chart, layout.type should be set as ej.datavisualization.Diagram.LayoutTypes.OrganizationalChart.
    The following code example illustrates how to create an organizational chart.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • //Initializes data source
    import { Component } from '@angular/core';
    
    @Component({
        selector: 'ej-app',
        templateUrl: 'app/components/diagram/organizational-chart.component.html',
    })
    export class OrganizationalChartComponent {
        dataSourceSettings: Object;
        defaultSettings: Object;
        layout: Object;
        nodeTemplate: Object;
        constructor() {
            let data = [{
                Id: "parent",
                Role: "Project Management"
            },
                {
                    Id: 1,
                    Role: "R&D Team",
                    Team: "parent"
                },
                {
                    Id: 3,
                    Role: "Philosophy",
                    Team: "1"
                },
                {
                    Id: 4,
                    Role: "Organization",
                    Team: "1"
                },
                {
                    Id: 5,
                    Role: "Technology",
                    Team: "1"
                },
                {
                    Id: 7,
                    Role: "Funding",
                    Team: "1"
                },
                {
                    Id: 8,
                    Role: "Resource Allocation",
                    Team: "1"
                },
                {
                    Id: 9,
                    Role: "Targeting",
                    Team: "1"
                },
                {
                    Id: 11,
                    Role: "Evaluation",
                    Team: "1"
                },
                {
                    Id: 156,
                    Role: "HR Team",
                    Team: "parent"
                },
                {
                    Id: 13,
                    Role: "Recruitment",
                    Team: "156"
                },
                {
                    Id: 113,
                    Role: "Training",
                    Team: "12"
                },
                {
                    Id: 112,
                    Role: "Employee Relation",
                    Team: "156"
                },
                {
                    Id: 14,
                    Role: "Record Keeping",
                    Team: "12"
                },
                {
                    Id: 15,
                    Role: "Compensations & Benefits",
                    Team: "12"
                },
                {
                    Id: 16,
                    Role: "Compliances",
                    Team: "12"
                },
                {
                    Id: 17,
                    Role: "Production & Sales Team",
                    Team: "parent"
                },
                {
                    Id: 119,
                    Role: "Design",
                    Team: "17"
                },
                {
                    Id: 19,
                    Role: "Operation",
                    Team: "17"
                },
                {
                    Id: 20,
                    Role: "Support",
                    Team: "17"
                },
                {
                    Id: 21,
                    Role: "Quality Assurance",
                    Team: "17"
                },
                {
                    Id: 23,
                    Role: "Customer Interaction",
                    Team: "17"
                },
                {
                    Id: 24,
                    Role: "Support and Maintenance",
                    Team: "17"
                },
                {
                    Id: 25,
                    Role: "Task Coordination",
                    Team: "17"
                }
            ];
            this.dataSourceSettings = {
                id: "Id",
                parent: "Team",
                dataSource: data
            };
            this.defaultSettings = {
                node: {
                    width: 100, height: 40, borderColor: 'black', fillColor: "#546e20",
                    labels: [{ name: 'label1', fontColor: '#ffffff' }]
                },
                connector: { lineColor: '#000000', segments: [{ 'type': 'orthogonal' }], targetDecorator: { shape: 'none' } }
            };
            this.layout = { type: ' ej.datavisualization.Diagram.LayoutTypes.OrganizationalChart' };
            this.nodeTemplate = function (diagram, node) {
                node.labels[0].text = node.Role;
            };
        }
    }

    Organizational layout

    Organizational chart layout starts parsing from root and iterate through all its child elements. ‘getLayoutInfo’ method provides necessary information of a node’s children and the way to arrange (direction, orientation, offsets, etc.) them. You can customize the arrangements by overriding this function as explained.

    GetLayoutInfo

    You can set Chart orientations, chart types, and offset to be left between parent and child nodes by overriding the method, diagram.model.layout.getLayoutInfo. The getLayoutInfo method is called to configure every subtree of the organizational chart. It takes the following arguments.

    • diagram: Reference of diagram
    • node: Parent node to that options are to be customized
    • options: object to set the customizable properties

    The following code example illustrates how to define the method getLayoutInfo.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • let chartOrientations = ej.datavisualization.Diagram.ChartOrientations;
    let chartTypes = ej.datavisualization.Diagram.ChartTypes;
    
    //Defines getLayoutInfo
    this.getLayoutInfo(diagram, node, options) {
        options.orientation = chartOrientations.Vertical;
    
        //Configures the sub tree of the node vertically at right-side.
        options.type = chartTypes.Right;
        options.offset = 10;
    }
       //Uses layout to auto-arrange nodes on the Diagram page
        this.layout = {
            type: "ej.datavisualization.Diagram.LayoutTypes.OrganizationalChart",
            getLayoutInfo: getLayoutInfo
        };

    The following table illustrates the properties that “options” argument takes.

    Property Description Default Value
    options.children Contains the list of child nodes. Children collection can be modified. Array of child nodes
    options.assistants By default, the collection is empty. When any of the child nodes have to be set as “Assistant”, you can remove from children collection and have to insert into assistants collection. Empty array
    options.orientation Gets or sets the organizational chart orientation.  ChartOrientation.Vertical
    options.type Gets or sets the chart organizational chart type For horizontal chart orientation:ChartType.Center For Vertical chart orientation:ChartType.Alternate
    options.offset Offset is the horizontal space to be left between parent and child nodes. 20 pixels.Applicable only for vertical chart orientations.
    options.hasSubTree Gets whether the node contains sub trees. Boolean
    options.level Gets the depth of the node from layout root Number
    options.enableRouting By default, Connections are routed based on the chart type and orientations.This property gets or sets whether default routing is to be enabled or disabled. true
    options.rows Sets the number of rows on which the child nodes will be arranged. Applicable only for balanced type horizontal tree Number

    The following table illustrates the different chart orientations and chart types.

    Orientation Type Description Example
    Horizontal Left Arranges the child nodes horizontally at the left side of parent. Left alignment
      Right Arranges the child nodes horizontally at the right side of parent. Right alignment
      Center Arranges the children like standard tree layout orientation. Center alignment
      Balanced Arranges the leaf-level child nodes in multiple rows. Balanced alignment
    Vertical Left Vertically arranges the children at the left side of parent Vertical alignment
      Right Vertically arranges the children at the right side of parent Right alignment
      Alternate Vertically arranges the children at both left and right sides of parent Alternate alignment

    Customize Layout

    Orientation, spacings, and position of layout can be customized with a set of properties.

    To explore layout properties, refer to Layout Properties.

    Layout Bounds

    Diagram provides support to align the layout within any custom rectangular area. For more information about bounds, refer to [Layout Bounds] (/api/js/ejDiagram#members:layout-bounds “Layout Bounds”)

    Layout Alignment

    You can align the layout anywhere over the layout bounds/viewport using the horizontalAlignment and verticalAlignment properties of layout.

    The following code illustrates how to align the layout at the top left of the layout bounds.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • import { Component } from '@angular/core';
    
    @Component({
        selector: 'ej-app',
        templateUrl: 'app/components/diagram/organizational-chart.component.html',
    })
    export class OrganizationalChartComponent {
        layout: Object;
        dataSourceSettings: Object;
        defaultSettings: Object;
        nodeTemplate: Object;
    
        constructor() {
        //Uses layout to auto-arrange nodes on the Diagram page
        this.layout = {
            //Sets the type of the layout
            type: ej.datavisualization.Diagram.LayoutTypes.HierarchicalTree,
            orientation:  ej.datavisualization.Diagram.LayoutOrientations.TopToBottom,
            horizontalSpacing: 25,
            verticalSpacing: 30,
    
            //Sets the layout bounds
            bounds: {
                x: 0,
                y: 0,
                width: 500,
                height: 500
            },
    
            //Sets the alignment of the layout
            horizontalAlignment: ej.datavisualization.Diagram.HorizontalAlignment.Left,
            verticalAlignment: ej.datavisualization.Diagram.VerticalAlignment.Top,
        };
        this.defaultSettings = {
            //Sets the default properties of the node.
            //Sets the default properties of the connector.
        };
        //Initializes the node template.
        this.nodeTemplate = "nodeTemplate";
        //Configures data source for Diagram
        this.dataSourceSettings = {
            //Specifies the dataSource
        };
    }};

    TopToBottom Alignment

    Layout Margin

    Layout provides support to add some blank space between the layout bounds/viewport and the layout. The margin property of the layout allows you to set the blank space.

    The following code illustrates how to set the layout margin.

  • JS
  • export class OrganizationalChartComponent {
        layout: Object;
        dataSourceSettings: Object;
        defaultSettings: Object;
        nodeTemplate: Object;
    
        constructor() {
        //Uses layout to auto-arrange nodes on the Diagram page
        this.layout = {
            //Sets the type of the layout
            type: ej.datavisualization.Diagram.LayoutTypes.HierarchicalTree,
            orientation:  ej.datavisualization.Diagram.LayoutOrientations.TopToBottom,
            horizontalSpacing: 25,
            verticalSpacing: 30,
    
            //Sets the layout bounds
            bounds: {
                x: 0,
                y: 0,
                width: 500,
                height: 500
            },
    
            //Sets the alignment of the layout
            horizontalAlignment: ej.datavisualization.Diagram.HorizontalAlignment.Left,
            verticalAlignment: ej.datavisualization.Diagram.VerticalAlignment.Top,
             //Sets the margin
            margin: {
                left: 10,
                right: 10,
                top: 10,
                bottom: 10
            }
        };
        this.defaultSettings = {
            //Sets the default properties of the node.
            //Sets the default properties of the connector.
        };
        //Initializes the node template.
        this.nodeTemplate = "nodeTemplate";
        //Configures data source for Diagram
        this.dataSourceSettings = {
            //Specifies the dataSource
        };
    }};

    Layout margin

    Layout Orientation

    Diagram provides support to customize the orientation of layout. You can set the desired orientation using layout.orientation. For more information about orientation, refer to Layout Orientations

    The following code illustrates how to arrange the nodes in a “BottomToTop” orientation.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • export class OrganizationalChartComponent {
        layout: Object;
        dataSourceSettings: Object;
        defaultSettings: Object;
        nodeTemplate: Object;
    
        constructor() {
        //Uses layout to auto-arrange nodes on the Diagram page
        this.layout = {
            //Sets the type of the layout
            type: ej.datavisualization.Diagram.LayoutTypes.HierarchicalTree,
            //Sets the orientation
            orientation:  ej.datavisualization.Diagram.LayoutOrientations.TopToBottom,
            horizontalSpacing: 25,
            verticalSpacing: 30,
    
            //Sets the layout bounds
            bounds: {
                x: 0,
                y: 0,
                width: 500,
                height: 500
            },
    
            //Sets the alignment of the layout
            horizontalAlignment: ej.datavisualization.Diagram.HorizontalAlignment.Left,
            verticalAlignment: ej.datavisualization.Diagram.VerticalAlignment.Top,
             //Sets the margin
            margin: {
                left: 10,
                right: 10,
                top: 10,
                bottom: 10
            }
        };
        this.defaultSettings = {
            //Sets the default properties of the node.
            //Sets the default properties of the connector.
        };
        //Initializes the node template.
        this.nodeTemplate = "nodeTemplate";
        //Configures data source for Diagram
        this.dataSourceSettings = {
            //Specifies the dataSource
        };
    }};

    Layout orientation

    Fixed Node

    Layout provides support to arrange the nodes with reference to the position of a fixed node and the fixed node has to be set to the layout.fixedNode.
    This is helpful when you try to expand/collapse a node. It might be expected that the position of the double-clicked node should not be changed.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • export class OrganizationalChartComponent {
        dataSourceSettings: Object;
        defaultSettings: Object;
        layout: Object;
        nodeTemplate: Object;
        constructor() {
            let data = [{
                    name: "parent",
                    Role: "General Manager",
                    offsetX: 250,
                    offsetY: 50
                }, {
                    name: "1",
                    Role: "Human Resource Manager",
                    Manager: "parent"
                }, {
                    name: "2",
                    Role: "Design Manager",
                    Manager: "parent",
                }, {
                    name: "3",
                    Role: "Marketing Manager",
                    Manager: "parent",
                }];
            this.layout = {
                    type: "ej.datavisualization.Diagram.LayoutTypes.OrganizationalChart",
                    fixedNode: "parent",
                    getLayoutInfo: getLayoutInfo
                };
            this.defaultSettings = {
            //Sets the default properties of the node.
            //Sets the default properties of the connector.
            };
            //Initializes the node template.
            this.nodeTemplate = "nodeTemplate";
            //Configures data source for Diagram
            this.dataSourceSettings = {
                //Specifies the dataSource
            };
    }};

    Fixed node

    Expand and collapse

    Diagram allows to expand/collapse the sub trees of a layout. node.isExpanded allows you to expand/collapse its children. The following code example shows how to expand/collapse the children of a node.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • //Initializes Diagram
    export class OrganizationalChartComponent {
        dataSourceSettings: Object;
        defaultSettings: Object;
        layout: Object;
        nodeTemplate: Object;
        constructor() {
                //Uses layout to auto-arrange nodes on the Diagram page
                this.layout = {
                type: "ej.datavisualization.Diagram.LayoutTypes.OrganizationalChart",
                fixedNode: "node1"
                };
                //Defines double click event
                this.doubleClick = function (args) {
                var diagram = $("#diagram").ejDiagram("instance");
                var node = args.element;
    
                // Sets the double clicked node as fixed node
                $("#diagram").ejDiagram({
                    layout: {
                        fixedNode: node.name
                    }
                });
    
                //Expands/collapses the children of node
                diagram.updateNode(node.name, {
                    isExpanded: !node.isExpanded
                });
            }
        }
    }

    In above example, while expanding/collapsing a node, it is set as fixed node in order to prevent it from repositioning.

    Refresh layout

    Diagram allows to refresh the layout at runtime. To refresh the layout, refer to Refresh layout.