How To Make A Flowchart in PowerPoint

Last updated on November 13th, 2023

How To Make 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.

What is a Flow Chart?

A flow chart is a visual representation of a process or system, using symbols and arrows to show the flow of information or steps in a sequence. Flowcharts can be used to present complex concepts, illustrate workflows, decision-making processes, and any other system or process that has multiple steps or components. Flowcharts are widely used in business, engineering, healthcare, education, and other industries to improve communication, analyze processes, and identify areas for improvement.

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.

Step 1: 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
Example on how to create a flowchart design in PowerPoint using SmartArt Graphics
Learn how to make a powerful Flow Chart in PowerPoint using SmartArt Graphics

Step 2: 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 Process Layout Information - Example of a simple 3 step flow chart slide in PowerPoint
Example of a simple 3 step flow chart slide in PowerPoint

Step 3: 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.

Example on how to add shapes to the flowchart process in PowerPoint
Adding shapes to the Flow Chart in a PowerPoint slide

Step 4: 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.

Using PowerPoint shapes to design a flowchart in PowerPoint
Example of a simple Flow Chart in a PowerPoint presentation

Step 5: Format Your Flowchart Design in PowerPoint

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.

Example of a 3D Flow Chart design in PowerPoint
Example of a 3D Flow Chart design in PowerPoint

Flowchart Examples: Examples of Flow Charts made with SmartArt Graphics in PowerPoint

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

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.

Select Shape in PowerPoint - Using arrow shape in PowerPoint to make a flowchart design
Using arrow shape in PowerPoint to make a flowchart design

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

Generate Shape in PowerPoint

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.

Format Flowchart Shape

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

Flowchart Created With PowerPoint Shapes

How Flow Charts are used in different industries and sectors?

Flowcharts are widely used in business and education. Here are some possible applications of flowcharts in different industries and sectors:

Flowcharts for Business Presentations

In business, flow charts are commonly used to represent workflows, procedures, and decision-making processes. They can help teams identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in a process, leading to more streamlined and efficient operations. Flow charts can also be used to map out customer journeys, organizational structures, and data flows. You can also use a process map template, with a diagram that help audience to visualize a process and details the individual steps involved in the task.

Flowcharts in Engineering

In engineering, flow charts are often used to represent technical processes such as manufacturing processes, software development processes, or systems engineering processes. They can help engineers identify areas for improvement, troubleshoot problems, and ensure that processes are operating efficiently and effectively.

Flowcharts in Healthcare Sector

In healthcare, flow charts can be used to illustrate patient journeys, treatment plans, and clinical decision-making processes. They can help healthcare professionals communicate complex information to patients and colleagues, identify inefficiencies in processes, and improve patient outcomes.

Flowcharts in Education

In education, flow charts can be used to illustrate concepts and workflows in scientific presentation templates, such as the scientific method, problem-solving processes, or organizational structures. They can help students visualize complex information, understand processes more easily, and improve their critical thinking skills.

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.

Yes / No Flow Chart design for PowerPoint & Google Slides
Yes / No Flow Chart design for PowerPoint & Google Slides

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

Process Flow Diagram Template For PowerPoint & Google Slides
Example of a simple process flow design 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

Free Process Flow Diagram Template for PowerPoint
Simple Process Diagram design 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

Example of simple Process Flow Chart template for PowerPoint presentations.
Example of simple Process Flow Chart template for PowerPoint

5. Simple Free PowerPoint Flowchart Template

This simple flowchart template design for PowerPoint can be used to illustrate a Yes/No workflow.

Free Flowchart Template for PowerPoint

Go to Download Simple Free PowerPoint Flowchart Template

Final Thoughts

Overall, flow charts are a powerful tool for visualizing processes and systems, improving communication, and identifying areas for improvement. Whether you are a business owner, engineer, healthcare professional, or educator, flow charts can help you better understand and optimize your processes and workflows.

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. Alternatively, you can download a premium Flow Chart template for Excel spreadsheets.

About Farshad

IT professional, communications specialist and Blogger!

3 comments on “How To Make A Flowchart in PowerPoint

  1. Japanese cars, should be designed and built
    by Japanese people, in Japan.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *