Flowcharts are a very useful tool for representing a more complex concept or idea in a simplified way, in the form of a diagram. It is, therefore, graphical projects that help you to better manage your work and can be useful to different working figures to reorder ideas. There are different types of flow charts, which are always composed of geometric shapes connected in a multi-directional way and can be used both to study and to expose to the public a project.
For this reason, it could be very useful for you to know how to create flowcharts using both some software and some online tools that I will show you in the next few lines. You’ll see that, by carefully following my instructions and trying out the tools I’m going to suggest, in a short time you’ll easily be able to create a flowchart and you’ll look great at your next meeting!
All you have to do is get comfortable and take your time reading this guide of mine. I’m going to tell you about software for creating flowcharts from PC and mobile devices and tools that will allow you to create them online for free. Having said that, let’s not waste any more time and get straight to action. I wish you a good read and wish you the best of luck with everything!
How to create flowcharts with Word
Do you use Microsoft Word? In this case, I’m happy to announce that you’ll easily be able to create a flowchart by taking advantage of several features integrated into the well-known software belonging to the Microsoft Office productivity suite.
To create Word flowcharts, you can proceed in two ways: you can use a built-in Word function called SmartArt, or you can proceed manually by inserting all the necessary elements into the document.
If you want to use Word’s built-in function, start the software on your PC (in case you haven’t downloaded it yet, read my guide on how to download Word) and click on the Blank Document button at the start screen. Next, you’ll have a blank sheet in front of you to fill in with your flowchart.
Then click on the Insert button and continue by clicking on the SmartArt button. At this point, a window will open containing all the available elements for creating a flowchart. After browsing through the list of predefined diagrams available, select the one you are interested in by clicking on it first and then on the OK button, so as to import it into your document.
At this point all you have to do is fill in your diagram by entering the text of your interest: click inside a shape, near the heading Text, to access the box to be filled in, then type the text and repeat the operation for all the elements.
Next, right-click on the imported graphic to open the context menu. From here you can change some of the parameters of the flowchart such as the style (a classic 2D style or a three-dimensional one) and the color. Also, by clicking on the Layout button, you’ll be able to change the shape of the imported graphic elements, in case you realize you want to modify your diagram.
Excuse me? Would you like to delete or add items to your diagram? It’s as simple as this: click on the arrow button on the left side of the diagram to open the menu. At this point, click on the element of your interest (elements are represented by a bulleted list) to edit the text, if necessary, or right-click on it to change their position in the flowchart.
Alternatively, if you prefer to create a flowchart manually, choosing step by step the elements to import, I’m happy to tell you that this operation is possible and that you’ll just have to follow my instructions.
Within the empty document, click first on the Insert item and then on the Shapes button. Then, locate the geometric shape of your interest among those proposed and select it by clicking on it, so as to import it into the document.
For each element imported into the document you can change various parameters such as style, fill color and outline. To do so, all you have to do is right-click on the element of interest and choose which of the available parameters to modify.
Once you have finished all the necessary changes, all you have to do is save the flowchart: go to File > Save As, specify the path to save the file by clicking on the Browse item and then click on the Save button. Easy, isn’t it?
How to make a flowchart with PowerPoint
Do you often use PowerPoint to create slides to show to colleagues or friends? Do you need to create PowerPoint flowcharts but don’t really know how to do it? Don’t worry! I’ll tell you right now that your wish can be easily fulfilled! In fact, just as with Word, you can take advantage of a handy built-in tool that will allow you to easily create your own diagram and customize it according to your needs.
First, launch PowerPoint and click on the Blank Presentation button in order to open a new document to work on. Next, on the next screen, click on the Insert item on the top left menu and then click on the SmartArt button. In the window that opens, you can choose from several preset diagrams and import the one that best suits your needs into your project.
What you need to do, once you have identified the type of diagram you want to import into your slide, is to select it by clicking on it and then on the OK button. Afterwards, you will be able to modify some important parameters regarding the flowchart, just as I explained to you earlier regarding Microsoft Word.
Once you’re done making changes, all you have to do is go to File > Save As, click on the Browse button to specify the location where you want to save the file and then click on the Save button.
How to make a flowchart with Excel
You may be wondering if it was possible to create Excel flowcharts? The answer is affirmative! In fact, the well-known service belonging to the Redmond giant dedicated to the production and management of spreadsheets, also allows the creation of flowcharts, taking advantage of a handy built-in feature.
Just as in the case of Word and PowerPoint, with Excel you’ll be able to make use of the SmartArt function, which lets you insert pre-configured flowcharts and then modify them according to your needs.
To create flowcharts with Excel, therefore, launch the software (if you haven’t installed it yet, read my tutorial on how to download and install Excel) and, within the main screen, click the Empty Workbook button to open a new project to work on. Next, within the empty spreadsheet, click on the Insert button, located within the menu at the top left and then continue by clicking on the SmartArt item.
Next, a screen will open containing several preset graphic elements. What you have to do, then, is to locate and select the template that best suits you, and then modify it to your liking, just as I showed you earlier.
Then, once you have finished editing, go to File > Save As. Then choose the location where you want to save the file by clicking on the Browse button and finally click on the Save button.
How to make a flowchart with LibreOffice
LibreOffice, in case you don’t know it, is a free and open source productivity suite. It contains various alternative programs to those of Microsoft Office and compatible with the files produced by the Redmond giant’s suite. In case you haven’t downloaded it yet, I suggest you read my tutorial in which I explain how to download and install LibreOffice. It is available for Windows, macOS and Linux.
To create flowcharts with LibreOffice, therefore, launch the suite on your PC and, in the main screen, click on the Draw button to open the Draw tool. Then you’ll have a new document in front of you to work on and create the flowchart. First of all, it is good to check the page properties: in the side section on the right, you can easily notice and change some parameters related to the sheet you just opened, such as the format, orientation, background, margin and page outline.
At this point, to import all the shapes you are interested in into the project, all you have to do is locate them in the side section on the left and drag them with the mouse into the sheet. For each element, by clicking on the small arrow icon at its side, you will be able to view all related elements and choose the most suitable for your needs.
Besides, by clicking on an element within the page, you’ll notice some parameters to modify: you can, in fact, change the color of the elements, their position and size, but also their alignment and rotation.
To insert text inside the flowchart shapes, double-click inside them and type in their content. To change the text settings, go to the sidebar on the right side and adjust all the parameters of your interest including font, size, color, spacing and indentation.
Once you have finished editing, go to File > Save As. Next, edit the name of the project and click the Save button. If you’re going to export the flowchart in PDF format, head to the File > Export > Export to PDF menu, and you’re done!
How to create flowcharts online
Excuse me? Would you like to create flowcharts online in such a way that you don’t have to install any software on your PC? Don’t worry! In fact, you can find a multitude of free tools on the Net that allow you to create flowcharts in a few simple steps.
For example, Lucidchart is a handy online tool that allows you to create flowcharts for free by providing you with several convenient tools. To use it, go to the official website of Lucidchart, then click on the Sign up for free button. In order to use the online tool, in fact, I’ll tell you that it is necessary to create an account, which is very simple and will not take more than a few seconds.
In the next screen, then, you’ll have to choose one of the different plans available: to create a flowchart you can select the free version, but the service also offers several paid plans, with a minimum cost of € 6.95 per month. To select the free version, click the Continue with Free button, then enter the requested data (first and last name, email and password) to complete the registration.
Alternatively, you can register faster by linking your Google account, then clicking the Google button and entering your account information. Then, to improve your experience with Lucidchart, the tool will propose you a series of questions so that it can recommend the best diagrams for your needs. Once you have provided the required information, click on the Start diagramming button to finally start creating your online flowchart.
On the next screen, click the New button, continue by directing the mouse pointer to the Lucidchart item and finally click the Blank Document button in order to open a new project to work on.
Then you can finally start creating your flowchart. Within the side section located on the left you can find all the elements available to create your diagram, choosing from the different geometric shapes that you can use. In order to import any shape into your document, all you have to do is drag and drop the element into the document.
In addition, by clicking on the element, you can also adjust its size by dragging its corners and sides with the mouse cursor. Within the toolbar at the top, you can change some important diagram parameters, including text formatting (font and size), fill and outline color of the blocks and the style of the entire diagram.
Once you have finished your work and finally created your flowchart, you can save it and export it to your PC. Go, therefore, inside the menu File > Save (to save the project inside the tool) and File > Export (if you want to export the file on your PC): I inform you that it is possible to export the file in different formats among which PNG, PDF and JPG.
As you may have noticed, Lucidchart is definitely a great online tool to use to create a flowchart, but it’s not the only one. It’s not hard, in fact, to find several other alternatives that are just as good and feature-rich.
For example, you could try using Moqups or Canva (which I’ve told you about well here, for example), two well-known tools that might be right for you. You’ll see that as you test their functionality, you’ll definitely be thrilled and look forward to creating more flowcharts. I assure you!
App for creating flowcharts
Are you looking for good apps create flowcharts for free from mobile devices? No problem! In fact, although the procedure is simplified by operating from PC, this does not take away the possibility of performing this operation from smartphone/tablet. Below I’ll list some good solutions that I’ve tested and that I suggest you use if you want to solve your problem in a few simple steps. Good luck!
Flowdia Diagrams (Android/iOS/iPadOS) – one of the best mobile applications that allows you to create flowcharts quickly and easily. In fact, you can choose from different geometric shapes and organize the diagram according to your preferences, adding text and links between blocks. The application, moreover, offers the possibility of subscribing to a subscription in order to unlock several additional features and eliminate some limitations.
Lucidchart (Android/iOS/iPadOS) – the online service I mentioned earlier also provides users with a mobile version. In fact, the application features the same functionality integrated within the online tool and allows the user to customize the flowchart to their liking, adjusting several important parameters as well.
DrawExpress Diagram (Android/iOS/iPadOS) – application that has nothing to envy to those just shown. In fact, with DrawExpress Diagram the user can create, customize and export his flowchart without any particular problems, thanks also to the different features integrated within it. Characterized by a high customization rate, the application allows you to create not only diagrams, but also different types of maps and diagrams.