Free Word Flowchart Template
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Are you looking for a free Microsoft Word flowchart template? Great here is a simple example of a flowchart template in word. It is in word 2007 and there is a version saved for word 97 – 2003. This is a very basic flowchart and each step has been shaded a special color to keep it easy as possible to read and follow. When you have a large complex flowchart the color shading is very helpful to quickly identify where you are in the process.
It may help to create a flowchart symbol key in the document also.
Flowchart template word 97-2003
How To Make An Organizational Chart In Microsoft Word
Microsoft word has some built in charting tools and one of them is great for organizational charts. You can make a great looking org chart in a matter of minutes. It’s also easy to make changes to and add more complex laters of employees to. We have an organizational chart template here.
How To Make A Flowchart In Microsoft Word
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Making a flowchart in Microsoft word is not hard to do, but you do need to know a few tips or it will be a huge pain and seem frustrating and a waste of your precious time. I’ll quickly show you the basics of where everything is located and it will greatly reduce your learning curve and allow you to start making some kick butt flowcharts in a matter of minutes.
The first and most important thing you must know when making a flowchart in word is the drawing canvas. Why is this so important? Because if you’re not using the drawing canvas then none of the flow arrows will “link” to the flowchart symbols and when you move a symbol around you then have to manually move the dang arrows too. This is very frustrating and can be a ridiculous waste of time.
Also, once you’re in the drawing canvas and you make a flowchart symbol, you don’t have to keep clicking on the insert tab > shapes > select your shape because it keeps you in the format tab and keeps all the popular shapes in the top left corner. This saves an amazing amount of time, trust me. Try creating a flow chart without entering into drawing canvas mode and you’ll only then truly appreciate how much time it saves.
Download the example below >Create a flowchart in Microsoft Word
How to get in drawing canvas mode
Insert > Shapes > New drawing Canvas
Now that you’re in drawing mode all the flowchart symbols are at the top left and makes it very easy to quickly insert the flowchart symbols. Also, you can now quickly change the color of each flowchart symbol in the style box.
TIP: You can select more than one symbol by holding down the CTRL key on the keyboard and then selecting your color style.
The other huge bonus of being in drawing mode is the fact that all the arrows automatically link and stay linked to all of the flowchart symbols. This means you can move the symbols anywhere you want and all the arrows will stay connected!
Flowchart Symbols
If you need to show a specific process and especially visually display a business related process or a step by step process then a flowchart will probably work great for your application and you’ll need to know some basic flowchart symbols. Flowcharts are even used when training new employees for all kinds of different jobs.
Call centers user flowcharts to lead the employee down the correct path and even high level technical support have flowcharts for helping employees troubleshoot common issues.
The basic flowchart symbols involve a rectangle which represents a step in the process and arrows that show the flow of the process. Another common shape you’ll be using is a diamond that represents a decision or condition. This could be a true or false or a yes and no question and this flowchart symbol will have two arrows flowing out for each answer.
Just these few basic flowchart symbols could build a simple flowchart that would get the job done, however there are several other symbols that you’ll probably need if you’re going to create a more complex flowchart or if you need to create an accurate flowchart and use all the correct symbols in the correct positions.
- Start & End flowchart symbols = ovals
- Process steps symbols = rectangles
- Decision symbols = diamonds
- Flow lines of the flowchart = arrows pointing from one symbol to the other.
Download Word 97-2003> Flowchart symbols 97-2003
Download Word 2007> Flowchart symbols
Organizational Flowcharts
Organizational flowcharts and symbols can benefit any business by helping them to visually organize and structure the concepts that are essential for success. This form of process management allows for better communication, and prevents misunderstandings. Here are some of the ways that organizational flowchart and symbols can be used in any business.
What is an Organizational Flow Chart?
Organizational flowcharts are used in business to help communicate more effectively with employees. It helps provide a visual aid of the goals and requirements for the staff. It can also serve as a daily reminder to the staff of how well they are performing in that business. Either way, it is a visual representation that can show what the progress is or should be in any business.
Some Applications for Organizational Flowchart
Some of the basic applications for an organizational flowchart are employee responsibilities, progress, safety and achievements. Each of these benefits those aspects of organization and structure within any business. Visual representation is always beneficial. It helps prevent confusion, and it can also serve as motivation to the staff.
One Example
One example of this sort of use for organizational flowchart symbols is safety. One national chain uses this as a method to individually appraise and motivate the staff at each store. These flowcharts are then compared at district wide meetings to help motivate the managers to become more efficient. The use of these flowcharts and symbols greatly benefits the success rate of the safety for the entire team. It is a visual representation of what is happening at each store. It helps managers to better understand and compare their store district wide. This helps them to create safety plans and goals, in order to improve the success of their store.
Communication at Staff Meetings
Communication can be greatly enhanced at staff meetings through the use of an organizational chart. Syllables and other visual aspects help motivate the staff through clear communication. When your staff knows exactly what you expect, then they can provide that work. Failure to communicate is often one of the top problems in the success or efficiency of any business. When you use visual reference, such as a flowchart, then you are able to better communicate what you require of your employees and staff. This benefits you and provides efficiency to the flow of your company.
In conclusion, an organizational flowchart and symbols help you to better communicate with your staff. It provides a visual representation of what the goals are. It helps motivate the staff, because they can visually tell what is expected. When your staff understands your goal, they are then more efficient. This benefits your business organization of efficiency.
Organizational FlowChart Template
Creating an organizational flowchart template is not terribly hard to do, but it takes time to learn the basics of using the flowchart tools in Microsoft Word to get everything looking good. A tip is to use the text helper on the left, you simply type in your text and hit the tab key to make the hierarchy correct.
You can learn more about flowchart symbols to make more advanced flowcharts or keep the flowchart design simple like the one below. Using the flowchart designer in Microsoft word can get easier and take less time when drawing hr diagrams and organization charts even with deep hierarchy.
Download this example below:
More flowchart templates