How to Draw Data Flow Diagram in Ms Word
A diagram is worth a yard words, especially if you're trying to explain a process. And if you know how to make a flowchart in Word, you don't need a different diagram-cosmos tool. You lot tin make the flowchart right inside Microsoft Word, no programming or design skills required.
A flowchart is a graphical representation of a serial of steps or deportment. It's about effective for depicting a process, data flow, workflow, or determination steps. In a flowchart, each shape holds a meaning. The most basic ones are:
- Oval (or pill shape). Start or cease of the process.
- Rectangle. Activity or sub-process.
- Diamond. Determination betoken.
- Parallelogram. Either an input needed for the procedure, or an output that goes into the next step.
Other shapes are used in flowcharts for very specific applications like data flow diagrams. But the to a higher place basic flowchart symbols should be enough for the well-nigh common charts. Whether you lot need only the nuts or specialized shapes, you can discover them in Word.
In this tutorial, I walk you stride-by-step through how to make a flowchart in Microsoft Word using basic shapes. Discussion offers two ways to create a flowchart. Utilize the method that lets yous make the flowchart you envision.
Note: For this tutorial, I used Microsoft Word for Mac version 16. If you're using a different version of the application, the interface and steps may be different.
Method 1: Create a Flowchart in Give-and-take With Shapes
The showtime way to create a flowchart in Discussion is by inserting shapes in your document. Here's what to do:
1. Display Gridlines
Before getting started, brand sure to switch on gridlines. This volition make information technology much easier for you lot to create a nice-looking flowchart. Aside from showing you guide lines, when gridlines are on, shapes and lines snap to regular spaces, making it easy to marshal elements.
To switch on the gridlines, get to View > Gridlines.
2. Create the Flowchart Shapes
Now you're set to start inserting shapes. Go to Insert > Shapes. The shapes carte du jour appears. Scroll downward to the Flowchart shapes. If you hover over any shape, a tip-tool appears, letting you lot know what the shape ways. Click on the shape you wish to use.
The cursor turns into a crosshair. Click and drag the crosshair to create the shape to the size y'all want.
3. Format the Flowchart Shapes
Utilize the options on the Shape Format ribbon to format the shape's fill up color, border, and other attributes.
4. Add text inside the flowchart shapes.
To add text within a flowchart shape, offset select the shape. Then, start typing. The text will appear inside the selected shape.
5. Format the Text
If you wish to format the text inside a shape, select the shape. Under the Dwelling tab, use the formatting options to select the font, font size, and other attributes.
Repeat the previous steps to create all the shapes you need for your flowchart. Utilize the gridlines to conform them on your document.
6. Add the Flowchart Connectors
Adjacent, you're going to want to connect the shapes with lines or arrows.
To insert an arrow, go to Insert > Lines. The lines menu opens. Click on the line you wish to use.
Under the Shape Format tab, use the options to format the connector.
When the line is formatted equally you like, set it as a default line. That way Word will use the same formatting settings for the side by side lines you create, and you won't take to go along formatting each i.
To prepare a line as the default line, correct-click on it, and so select Set as Default Line.
Echo until you've inserted, formatted, and bundled all the connectors you lot demand.
iv. Insert More Text
You may find that yous need text outside of the shapes in your flowchart.
To add together text, go to Insert > Text Box. Click and drag the cursor where you lot wish to place the text box. Type the text inside the box.
Next, format the text. With the text box selected, click on the Abode tab. Apply the formatting options on the ribbon to format the text.
When your flowchart is consummate, switch off the Gridlines, and bask your creation!
Method Two: Create a Flowchart in Word With SmartArt
Another mode to create flowcharts in MS Word is by using SmartArt. It's a pre-designed visual template in Word that lets yous apace make charts and diagrams. You can format SmartArt—upward to a certain extent—and personalize them with your own information.
To create a Microsoft SmartArt flowchart, follow these steps:
i. Insert a New SmartArt
Get to Insert > SmartArt > Process. The Process carte du jour pops upward.
Cull the SmartArt that's most suitable for the flowchart you wish to create and click on it.
2. Format the SmartArt Flowchart
Under the SmartArt Blueprint tab, use the tools on the ribbon to format the various elements of the SmartArt.
Explore the special effects carte to see means you can spice up your nautical chart.
At any point, you can also modify the manner of your Microsoft SmartArt flowchart. Outset, select the SmartArt. Under the SmartArt Design tab, open the styles menu. Click on a unlike style y'all wish to apply.
3. Add Steps
You lot'll probably demand to add steps to your process SmartArt. To do this, brand sure you're on the SmartArt Design tab. Click on the Add Shape dropdown carte and choose from one of 2 options:
- Add Shape Later. Adds a stride at the cease of the electric current SmartArt.
- Add Shape Earlier. Adds a footstep at the beginning.
Tip: You can add steps at any point in your workflow. Just I advise you add all the steps yous call back you'll need before you add together your text.
four. Add Your Text
To add together your text, click on a text box—it'll accept a placeholder that says "Text"—and type your own text. Nether the SmartArt Pattern tab, y'all tin too click on the Text Pane button to add and edit text through the Text Pane.
You can also format the text inside the SmartArt. Showtime, select the text box, then click on the Dwelling tab. Utilize the formatting options to change the font, font size, and etc.
five. Add together Images
If the SmartArt flowchart style you created includes pictures, now'south the fourth dimension to add together your custom images.
Click on the paradigm icon. This launches your document finder. Click on the paradigm file you want to add together, then click Insert.
Tip: Make sure your prototype has the right proportions for the epitome placeholder in the SmartArt. If the placeholder is square, edit your epitome to be a foursquare earlier inserting it. Otherwise, information technology may become cropped awkwardly.
Repeat the steps above to complete your Microsoft SmartArt flowchart.
Shapes vs. SmartArt: What'southward the Best Way to Create a Flowchart in Word?
At present that know how to create a flowchart in Discussion using two methods, you may be wondering, which is the better style: shapes or SmartArt?
Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
Use shapes to create a flowchart if:
-
You want consummate control over how your flowchart looks. It's just easier to command the dissimilar elements of a flowchart that's built from scratch using shapes and lines or arrows as connectors.
-
You want to use symbolic flowchart shapes. Discussion shapes include both the basic shapes and special flowchart shapes.
-
You've got a complicated flowchart. If you're trying to create a flowchart with split up steps (like the bread making flowchart I fabricated with charts), then you're amend off using shapes.
Consider using SmartArt to brand a flowchart if:
-
You desire a creatively designed nautical chart quickly. SmartArt procedure diagrams are pre-made by designers to expect not bad with minimal fuss.
-
You don't demand traditional flowchart shapes. Most Microsoft SmartArt flowcharts employ only basic shapes and other elements that are chosen more for artful purposes.
-
Your flowchart has only a few and elementary steps. SmartArt charts lend themselves best to straightforward processes.
5 Flowchart Making Tips
Microsoft Give-and-take gives you ii user-friendly ways to make MS Give-and-take flowchart diagrams. To go the best results, keep these tips in listen:
one. Plan It Out
Have a articulate vision for what you want your flowchart you wait like. Sketch information technology out with pen and newspaper and know exactly what text and images you lot're going to employ.
2. Make the Design Elements Consequent
Use a consistent style among the shapes and connectors in your flowchart. For instance, use the same one or two fonts for the text.
3. Fit the Entire Chart on I Page
For the greatest legibility, brand sure your chart fits all on ane page. You lot may have to modify the certificate's orientation from portrait to landscape to adapt a long or wide flowchart.
four. Don't Count on People Knowing What Flowchart Shapes Mean
As mentioned to a higher place, shapes take specific meanings when used in flowcharts. Just your readers may not know what those are. Make sure your flowchart makes sense even if this is the case. It's also a good idea to include a fable or symbol cardinal to let your readers know what the various shapes stand for.
5. Follow the Conventional Reading Management
In the English language, readers read from left to correct and top to bottom. If your flowchart is more than than one level long, go on the second level on the left side of the page. (Of class, if your certificate is in a language that's read from correct to left, lesser to acme, and then y'all'd follow that management for your flowchart besides.)
Streamline Your Workflow With Microsoft Word Templates
Another way to streamline your workflow is with a Word template.
Templates may include a Microsoft Word flowchart or other diagrams. Fifty-fifty if that's not the example, starting with a Microsoft Discussion flowchart template is nevertheless an like shooting fish in a barrel mode to create a professionally-designed certificate.
With a template for Word, all the major design decisions accept already been fabricated for you by a professional. All y'all've got to exercise is to customize it with your branding colors, images, and text.
One excellent source of Discussion templates is Envato Elements. In this creative marketplace you'll discover templates for various kinds of documents such equally this resume/CV template, which includes infographics.
An Elements subscription gives yous admission to much more than than high-quality Word templates. For one low, fixed price per month, y'all get unlimited downloads of the creative components you need to make your document look its best, such equally fonts, photos, graphics, and icons.
And if you create other types of materials, like videos and websites, and so you lot'll besides benefit from unlimited downloads of stock videos, music, sound effects, and presentation templates.
Create Your Own Flowcharts in Microsoft Word
Now y'all know how to make an like shooting fish in a barrel flowchart in Microsoft Word. For consummate control, build your flowchart with shapes and lines. For a fast and creative look, use SmartArt. Either style, a well-constructed flowchart will make your document more than effective at showing a procedure, workflow, or information flow.
You can also employ Give-and-take templates to streamline your workflow. For the best quality and value, get Word templates and other creative resources from Envato Elements. Your subscription brings to your fingertips millions of creative avails to help you communicate finer.
Source: https://business.tutsplus.com/tutorials/how-to-make-flowchart-word--cms-36498
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