How To Create A Flowchart In Powerpoint

A flowchart is meant to display a task or process in a sequence. Such charts are often required for making business diagrams, models showing production processes and tasks. There are various methods by which you can create flow charts in PowerPoint, including with the help of SmartArt Graphics, shapes and readymade templates.

How To Create Flowcharts With SmartArt in PowerPoint

The best method to create flowcharts on your own is with the help of SmartArt Graphics in PowerPoint. This method is even recommended by Microsoft in its Office.com support section. Below is a complete guide that shows how to create a flow chart using SmartArt.

Select A SmartArt Graphic

In the first step, go to Insert->SmartArt and select a graphic for making your flow chart. There are various graphics that you can use for this purpose. However, the best SmartArt graphics include the ones in the Lists, Process, Cycle, Hierarchy and Relationship sections.

Automatic Flowchart Maker
Someka Flowchart Maker Templates

Flowcharts are used in different areas to report, study, plan and even maybe develop the whole complex processes to turn them into an easy-to-understand diagram. From a simple task to a complex process, flowcharts can be a really useful tool for what you are working on. This Automatic Flowchart Maker has a database that you can input your data and it creates your flowchart according to your needs.

Go to Flowchart Maker

Insert SmartArt Graphics To create Flowchart

Add Process Layout Information

In the next step, fill the boxes to create a sequential process layout. When making a flowchart make sure that the shapes you use are appropriately placed.

Add Shapes To The Flowchart

You can add additional shapes to the flowchart from the Add Shape menu in SmartArt Tools. This can allow you to add additional shapes to your flowchart. This is specially useful when creating a behavior flow chart.

Change Shape Type To Reflect The Right Symbol

As mentioned earlier, different shapes in a flowchart represent different meanings, therefore; it is important to use the right shape for each section of the flowchart. You can format the flowchart shapes by right-clicking on a shape and going to Change Shape. As you can see from the screenshot below, you can select specific flowchart shapes from this menu. If you are not sure about which shape to apply; hover your mouse over a shape for its name to appear.

Note: Each shape in a flow chart holds a special meaning, make sure you use the right shapes to show the process in sequence. To see the meaning of different shapes in a flowchart check out our post: Meaning Of Different Flowchart Symbols.

Format Your Flowchart Design

You can tweak your flowchart to give it an appropriate design via SmartArt Styles. Furthermore, you can change the colors for your SmartArt Flowchart from Change Colors menu (in SmartArt Tools). Similarly, you can pick a background color for your slide from the Design tab in PowerPoint.

Sample Flowchart Made With SmartArt Graphics in PowerPoint

The below image shows a sample Flowchart made with SmartArt Graphics in PowerPoint.

How To Create Flowcharts With Shapes in PowerPoint

You can also make flowcharts using shapes. To add shapes to PowerPoint go to insert-> Shapes.

After selecting the required shape drag your mouse over the slide to generate the selected shape.

To format an individual shape, select the shape and go to Quick Styles or make use of the plethora of options that will appear from the Ribbon Menu in Drawing Tools.

The below screenshot shows a sample flowchart created with shapes in PowerPoint.

Flowchart Created With PowerPoint Shapes

Flowchart PowerPoint Templates

If you find it too laborious to create flowcharts using shapes or SmartArt, then you can opt for Flowchart PowerPoint templates. Below are a few customizable PowerPoint flowchart templates that you can use for making flowcharts easily.

1. Free Simple Flowchart PowerPoint Template (Free)

This simple free Red Flow Chat template was created in PowerPoint and can be used as a flowchart template to make simple flowcharts.

In the screenshot above, we can see how a simple Yes/No flowchart is created with the PowerPoint shapes. Easily, the presenter can adjust the nodes and connectors to produce any other variant of this flowchart.

2. Process Flow Diagram Template For PowerPoint

This is an excellent premium diagram template for PowerPoint which provides an editable process flow chart that can be used for making a flowchart in no time. This template comes with a number of sample slides that offer a variety of sample flowcharts that can be customized to suit your needs.

Go to Download Process Flow Diagram Template For PowerPoint

3. Free Process Flow Diagram Template for PowerPoint

This is another fine flowchart diagram template with different sample slides that provide sample flowcharts. This template even comes with a standalone slide with given clipart to help you copy/paste shapes across various slides for conveniently making flowcharts.

Go to Download Free Process Flow Diagram Template for PowerPoint

4. Free Simple Process Chart PowerPoint Template

This is another free flowchart template that can be used for making conventional and business flowcharts. While the sample slides in this template appear less like a typical flowchart, however you can move around the shape and arrows to easily construct a decent flowchart with some nice graphics.

Go to Download Free Simple Process Chart PowerPoint Template

Other than PowerPoint you can also draw flowcharts with the help of various third-party tools. For more details, see our post about Best Paid And Free Flow Chart Makers or you can download chart and diagrams for PowerPoint presentations.