How to Create a Flowchart in PowerPoint

Creating flowcharts in Microsoft PowerPoint is an excellent way to visually represent processes, workflows, and decision points. Whether you're presenting a project, illustrating a concept, or organizing your thoughts, PowerPoint offers multiple methods to create professional-looking flowcharts. In this guide, we'll explore how to create a flow chart in PowerPoint using SmartArt, shapes, and templates.

Option 1: How to Create a Flow chart in PowerPoint Using SmartArt

SmartArt is one of the simplest ways to create flowcharts in PowerPoint. To create a PowerPoint flowchart using SmartArt, follow these steps:

Step 1 - Insert SmartArt Flowchart

• Select the PowerPoint slide where you want to insert the flow chart. To insert SmartArt Graphic:
  • Go to the "Insert" tab on the Ribbon.
  • Click on "SmartArt" in the Illustrations group.
  • Choose a SmartArt Graphic:
    • In the "Choose a SmartArt Graphic" popup box click on "Process" from the list on the left. Select the flowchart style that suits your needs (there are a lot of options including groupings for Process, Cycle and Hierarchy)
    • Click "OK" to insert the SmartArt graphic into your slide.

Step 2 - Edit SmartArt Flowchart text and layout

• Once you have added the SmartArt Graphic to your PowerPoint slide, you can edit the text and layout:
  • Click on each shape within the SmartArt graphic to add text
  • Use the SmartArt tools on the Ribbon to change the layout, colors and styles of your flow chart

Option 2: How to Create a Flow Chart in PowerPoint Using Shapes

For more customization, you can manually create a flow chart in PowerPoint using shapes. To do this:

Step 1 - Insert flowchart shapes

• Select the PowerPoint slide where you want to insert the flow chart and insert shapes:
  • Go to the "Insert" tab on the Ribbon.
  • Click on "Shapes" in the Illustrations group.
  • Choose the shapes you need for your flow chart. PowerPoint has a lot of the standard flow chart shapes available for easy selection e.g., rectangles for steps, diamonds for decision points, arrows for connections.

Step 2 - Add connectors

• Connect Shapes:
  • To add connectors between shapes, go back to the "Shapes" menu and select a line or arrow.
  • Click on the first shape, drag the connector to the second shape, and release.

Step 3 - Add Text

• Add Text:
  • Click on each shape to add text.
  • Format the text as needed using the options in the "Home" tab.

Option 3: How to Create a Flow Chart in PowerPoint Using Templates

PowerPoint offers templates specifically designed for flow charts. To use one of the PowerPoint flowchart templates:

Step 1 - Insert a flowchart template

• Go to the "File" tab and select "New."
  • In the search bar, type "Flowchart" and press Enter (note: Microsoft seems to have decided that flowchart should be a single word as flow chart does not return results!).

• Select a Template:
  • Browse through the available flow chart templates.
  • Click on the template you want to use and then click "Create."

Step 2 - Customize the flowchart template

• Customize the Template:
  • Replace the placeholder text with your own content.
  • Adjust the shapes, connectors, and layout as needed.

Additional Tips for Creating Flow Charts in PowerPoint

• Align and Distribute Shapes: Use the "Align" and "Distribute" options under the "Format" tab to keep your flow chart neat and organized.
• Use Grid and Guides: Enable gridlines and guides from the "View" tab in PowerPoint to help align your shapes more precisely.
• Format Shapes: Customize the appearance of your flow chart by changing the fill, outline, and effects of your shapes in the "Format" tab.

Hopefully these tips help you to create your flowchart. Note - the PPT Productivity team is working on a flowchart library for the PPT Productivity Slide Library feature. We will update the blog post with more information when this is released!