How to Group Flowchart Objects in Freeform iOS 18

Apple’s iOS 18 introduces enhanced diagramming capabilities to the Freeform app, allowing users to streamline flowchart creation by binding multiple shapes, labels, and connectors into unified components. This guide explains how to select multi-object flowchart elements, group them into single editable blocks, and manipulate or refine them without dismantling the overall diagram structure.

Selecting Multiple Flowchart Components

To begin grouping flowchart elements, you must first select the desired shapes, text containers, and connecting lines:

  1. Open a board in the Freeform app on iOS 18.
  2. Touch and hold the canvas near the flowchart components you want to combine.
  3. Drag your finger across the items to use the selection box, highlighting all relevant shapes, arrows, and labels. Alternatively, tap the first object, hold it with one finger, and tap additional objects with another finger to multi-select.

Creating the Unified Block

Once the elements are selected, Freeform reveals an inline contextual menu:

  1. Tap the Group icon (represented by two overlapping squares) or select Group from the contextual menu.
  2. The individual components—including any intermediate flowchart paths and text labels—instantly fuse into a single container bounded by a unified selection box.

Editing Within the Group

In iOS 18, grouping objects does not lock you out of modifying individual components. The unified block behaves as a single structure while maintaining internal editability:

  • Global Transformations: Dragging the group moves all interconnected shapes and arrows simultaneously without breaking connection anchor points. Pinching or using the corner handles scales the entire flowchart segment proportionally.
  • Direct Component Editing: To edit text or change a single shape’s color inside the group, tap the group once to select it, then tap the specific nested object. This isolates the element for editing, allowing you to update labels or adjust geometry without ungrouping the entire block.
  • Dynamic Connectors: Connecting lines attached between grouped components retain their magnetic anchors. If you reposition an internal node, the connector adjusts dynamically within the boundaries of the block.

Ungrouping Elements

If you need to permanently separate the components back into independent objects, tap the grouped block once to bring up the context menu, tap the ellipsis or group icon, and select Ungroup. This returns each shape, line, and label to an individual layer on the canvas.