Grouping Elements

You can informally group a BPMN diagram's flow nodes and data objects.

Prerequisites

The diagram is in Edit Mode.

Context

The Group artifact provides a visual mechanism to informally recognize flow nodes and data objects as thematically belonging together in a BPMN diagram. Grouping is solely used for visualizing a link that has not been modeled further and cannot be linked using flows. Groupings do not influence the process flow.

The definition of a process or collaboration which is found first is used as owner when creating a grouping in the diagram. If the grouping contains multiple nodes for the owner, then the respective flow elements are automatically assigned to the grouping when the diagram is next refreshed.

Grouping limitation consists of a dotted line. The grouping has a name that should denote the connection and be shown as standard.

Elements in the background of groupings can be selected with [Shift]+double-click.

How to proceed

Click on the scroll bar on New from Template at the bottom of the Design>Create Diagram Contents gallery and drag the Group form and drop it in the diagram to group flow nodes or data objects.

A dotted line rectangle with rounded corners is inserted at the desired position in the diagram. The definition of a process or collaboration which is found first is used as owner.
Adjust the size and position of the rectangle as desired.
Press [F2] for the selected grouping and enter a name to display the grouping link. Alternatively, enter the name of the grouping in the Properties tab in the Properties tool window.

The group name is always shown at the top inside the rectangle.