Ever wondered how to make a flowchart in Word? You're not alone! Many of us turn to Microsoft Word, the trusty tool we're familiar with. This guide is your friendly roadmap, showing step-by-step how to turn your ideas into flowcharts. Sure, Word is great for basics, but we'll be real about its limits for fancy stuff. No worries, though – we're here to make sure you can easily create flowcharts in Word, no special software needed! Let's dive in.
Download Free Flowchart Templates Online
WPS Templates is a platform provided by WPS Office that offers a variety of free templates for different purposes, including flowcharts. Flowcharts are visual representations of processes or workflows and can be used for various purposes such as project planning, decision-making, or system analysis. You can find a variety of customizable flowchart templates online. Here are three of the best templates:
Green New Employee Entry Flow Chart
This flowchart template is designed to help you visualize the onboarding process for new employees. It includes all of the important steps in a clear, easy-to-read format that can be customized to fit your business needs
Mining and Purchasing Flow Char
This flowchart template is ideal for businesses that need to visualize the process of mining and purchasing. It includes all of the important steps in a clear, easy-to-read format that can be customized to fit your business needs
A Yearly Sales Growth Chart is a graphical spreadsheet of a company's sales growth rate over a year. It is important for measuring the rate of revenue growth, spotting times of revenue reduction, and more 1. This income chart may show monthly, quarterly, or annual changes depending on how frequently you collect data.
You can also find more flowchart templates on WPS Templates.
How to Create a Flowchart in Word
Building a Flowchart in Word With a SmartArt Graphic
Step 1. Add a SmartArt Graphic:
Start by changing your page layout to Landscape for more space. Copy your process list, then go to the Insert tab, choose SmartArt, and pick a Process chart, like the Repeating Bending Process.
Step 2. Paste Your Process List:
Click on the process chart, paste your process list into the Text Pane window. If you can't find it, make sure the SmartArt graphic is highlighted. Go to the SmartArt Design tab, and click Text Pane on the far left.
Step 3. Format Your Flowchart:
Use the SmartArt Design tab to tweak colors, update symbol styles, and add more shapes. If the SmartArt Design tab isn't visible, double-check that your flowchart is highlighted.
SmartArt graphics provide a shortcut to visually appealing flowcharts. Perfect for when you need a polished result without diving into intricate details.
Building a Flowchart in Word With Basic Symbols
Step 1. Add Shapes for Each Process Step:
Go to the Insert tab, select Shapes, then Flowchart, and choose a shape. Click anywhere in your document to add it.
Step 2. Customize Your Shapes:
Edit colors and sizes at the end. Format your ideal shape, copy, and paste to duplicate. Access the Shape Format tab for adjustments.
Step 3. Add Text Inside Each Flowchart Symbol:
Make the shapes bigger, select them, then go to a corner and drag to expand. Click on a shape, type in each step. Adjust the layout as needed.
Step 4. Add Arrows to Connect Process Steps:
Go to the Insert tab, select Shapes, then Lines, and choose the Arrow. Customize it under the Shape Format tab. Copy and paste to connect other process steps.
Going for basic symbols grants you creative autonomy, making it perfect for those who want a personalized touch in every aspect of their flowchart.
Best Free Alternative to Microsoft Word—WPS Office
WPS Office is a robust and user-friendly free alternative to Microsoft Word, providing a comprehensive suite of office tools that includes word processing, spreadsheet creation, and presentation design. One standout feature is its accessibility for users who may not be as familiar with complex word processing software.
Advantages of WPS Office
Free to Use: WPS Office is completely free for users, making it an attractive option for individuals, students, and businesses on a budget.
User-Friendly Interface: WPS Office boasts an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it easy for both beginners and experienced users to navigate and utilize its features.
Compatibility with Microsoft Office Files: WPS Office supports a wide range of file formats, including those used by Microsoft Word. This ensures seamless compatibility, allowing users to open, edit, and save documents in formats such as .docx.
Templates for Quick Start: For users who may not be design-savvy, WPS Office offers a variety of templates for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. This feature enables users to create professional-looking files with minimal effort.
How to add flowchart in WPS Office
While WPS Writer is primarily a word processing software and doesn't have native support for creating flowcharts, you can still create a simple flowchart using shapes and lines. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Open WPS Writer and start a new document.
Step 2: Click "Insert" and pick "Shapes" from the menu.
Step 3: Choose the shape you want for your flowchart, like a rectangle or diamond.
Step 4: Drag the shape to where you want it on the page.
Step 5: Do it again! Repeat steps 3 and 4 to add more shapes.
Step 6: Connect the shapes. Click "Insert > Shapes > Lines" and draw a line between them.
Step 7: Add words. Right-click on a shape and choose "Add Text."
Step 8: Make it yours. Change colors, thickness, and style however you like.
FAQs:
How to create a flowchart in Google Docs?
Step 1: Open Google Docs:
Go to docs.google.com or Google Drive.
Create a new document and set it to "Landscape" if needed.
Step 2: Access Drawing Tool:
Click "Insert" > "Drawing" > "+ New" to open the drawing window.
Step 3: Create Flowchart:
Use the Shape tool to choose and place symbols.
Connect shapes with arrows from the Line tool.
Step 4: Add Text:
Click the text icon to add and format text.
Step 5: Save and Close:
Click "Save and Close" in the drawing window.
Can I add images or icons to my flowchart for better illustration?
Yes, you can enhance your flowchart by inserting images or icons. Use the "Insert" tab to add pictures or icons relevant to your flowchart. This can be particularly useful for adding visual cues or representing specific actions.
Summary:
In unraveling the intricacies of crafting flowcharts in Microsoft Word, this guide stands as a beacon for users seeking simplicity and creativity. While embracing Word's user-friendly features, we acknowledge its limitations for intricate designs. However, the journey doesn't end there.
Explore the world of possibilities with free templates on WPS and consider WPS Office as an inviting alternative, offering a seamless, free, and user-friendly experience. Whether you're a Word aficionado or exploring new avenues, this guide ensures that your venture into flowchart creation is not only informative but also opens doors to a spectrum of creative possibilities.
