This guide is brought to you by Zen Flowchart, the simplest flowchart maker.
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In this article, we'll show you how to make a flowchart in Word. But first, let's discuss what is a flowchart in the first place.
What Is A Flowchart?
A visual representation of the steps of a business process in sequential order is called a flowchart. The tool is helpful in many situations, from project planning to manufacturing. By breaking down and visualizing the process, it will make analyzing and managing your business processes a breeze.
How To Make A Flowchart In Word?
There are 2 main ways to make a flowchart in Word: using shapes and using SmartArt
1. Using Shapes
Shape is a built-in tool in Microsoft Word that allows you to create organization charts. This way includes four steps.
Show The Grid
Gridlines are the horizontal and perpendicular lines that form the cells, rows, columns on the entire document. It will become easier and more accurate when using the gridlines to design the diagram.
Open the View tab and choose the Gridlines box to show the lines. Then they will appear on the drawing canvas.
Select Shapes
Move to the Insert tab and choose the Shape option. The Lines and the Flowchart are the two groups that will help you draw the diagram. First, let’s select the shapes in the latter group.
You need to know the meanings the shapes to select the right flowchart symbols. The basic symbols are:
- Oval shape: is the Terminal Symbol, showing the starting and ending points of a process.
- Rectangle shape: describes processes.
- Diamond shape: refers to decision points.
Click on the shape to insert it. Then, a crosshair will appear on the screen. You can adjust the shape by clicking and dragging the crosshair. The first shape of the diagram will be the starting point; therefore, it will be an oval shape.
Once the first symbol is done, use the design tools in the Format tab to create your own beautiful flowcharts.
Insert Text
Click on the shape and type the label inside to add the text.
Choose Connector Type
After drawing all of the shapes in the diagram, use the arrows on the Lines category (step 2) to connect them. The elbow and curved are the common connectors available in this dropdown menu.
2. Using SmartArt
Open SmartArt
Switch to the Insert tab and select SmartArt.
Select A Flowchart
After clicking on SmartArt, select Process. There are different process styles to choose from. Pick one that suits your diagram the most and click OK.
Add Changes To The Flowchart
Add Shapes
By default, the flow diagram SmartArt provides is a basic three-step process. If you want to add more steps, select the Add shape button. A new step will be added to the end of the process.
Move Shapes
Grab the symbol’s outline and drag it to the new place to reposition it.
Change Color
In the Design tab of the SmartArt tools, click the Change color setting. The color of the entire flowchart can be changed here. In case you want to make adjustments to a certain shape, select Format and fill the element with a new color in Shape Fill.
Change Direction
Change the flow of the entire diagram by clicking Right to Left.
Insert text
Choose the symbol and type the text inside it. Another way to do this is right-clicking it and selecting Edit text.
