How to Make a Flowchart in Word
Flowcharts turn a process into something anyone can follow at a glance. Word gives you two ways to build one: SmartArt for speed, and Shapes for full control.
Quick reference
| What you want | How |
|---|---|
| A quick, tidy flowchart | Insert → SmartArt → Process |
| A custom flowchart with decisions | Insert → Shapes → New Drawing Canvas |
| An org chart | SmartArt → Hierarchy |
Method 1: SmartArt (the quick way)
1. Go to Insert → SmartArt.
2. Click Process on the left.
3. Pick a layout — Basic Process, Step Down or Basic Bending Process all work well — and click OK.
4. Type your steps in the text pane on the left (click the small arrow on the graphic if it's hidden).
2. Click Process on the left.
3. Pick a layout — Basic Process, Step Down or Basic Bending Process all work well — and click OK.
4. Type your steps in the text pane on the left (click the small arrow on the graphic if it's hidden).
Add, remove and indent steps
• Press Enter in the text pane to add a step.
• Press Tab to make a sub-point; Shift + Tab to promote it.
• Delete a line to remove that step.
• Press Tab to make a sub-point; Shift + Tab to promote it.
• Delete a line to remove that step.
Make it look good
On the SmartArt Design tab, click Change Colours and choose a SmartArt Style. Try Change Layout at any time — your text comes with you.
Method 2: Shapes (full control)
Use this when you need decision diamonds with Yes/No branches.
1. Go to Insert → Shapes → New Drawing Canvas. This keeps everything together.
2. Under Flowchart in the Shapes menu, pick:
• Terminator (rounded rectangle) — Start / End
• Process (rectangle) — a step
• Decision (diamond) — a yes/no question
3. Drag on the canvas to draw each shape. Right-click → Add Text (or just start typing) to label it.
4. Join them with Lines → Elbow Arrow Connector. Hover over a shape and snap the line to one of the grey dots.
2. Under Flowchart in the Shapes menu, pick:
• Terminator (rounded rectangle) — Start / End
• Process (rectangle) — a step
• Decision (diamond) — a yes/no question
3. Drag on the canvas to draw each shape. Right-click → Add Text (or just start typing) to label it.
4. Join them with Lines → Elbow Arrow Connector. Hover over a shape and snap the line to one of the grey dots.
Because connectors are attached, moving a shape drags its arrows along with it.
Speed tips
• Copy a formatted shape with Ctrl + D to duplicate it.
• Select several shapes and use Shape Format → Align to line them up.
• Use Format Painter to copy colours from one shape to another.
• Select several shapes and use Shape Format → Align to line them up.
• Use Format Painter to copy colours from one shape to another.
Organisation charts
Insert → SmartArt → Hierarchy → Organization Chart. Type names in the text pane and use Tab to place people under their manager.
Troubleshooting
Arrows don't move with the shapes. They're not snapped to the grey dots. Drag each end onto a dot until it turns green.
The flowchart moves around when I type. Use a drawing canvas, or set it to In Line with Text.
Wrapping up
Simple, straight-line process? SmartArt. Branches and decisions? Shapes on a drawing canvas with connectors.
