A facility for linking data from an external data source to shapes in a diagram is provided. The facility is implemented as a component of a graphical visualization program, and provides a modeless data window that is operable to display data from a data source through a two dimensional table. Users can use the facility to import data from a data source and display the imported data in the modeless data window. Users can then use the modeless data window to select and drag rows displayed in the modeless data window onto shapes on a drawing surface of the graphical visualization program to link the dragged rows to the shapes. Users can also drag rows displayed in the modeless data window onto a blank section of the drawing surface to create shapes on the drawing surface and link the rows to the created shapes.