Create Flowcharts in PowerPoint
6 minutes read
PowerPoint flowcharts break up complex ideas into easy steps. Learn how to create flowcharts in PowerPoint in this quick tutorial.
Flowcharts are visualizations that help you see the parts of a sequence or process. They are an excellent tool for explaining concepts during presentations. This is why mastering how to make a flowchart in PowerPoint is an invaluable skill!
Flowcharts illustrate how individual parts “flow” together to create a finished product, connecting ideas in a step-by-step format to simplify complexity. In this tutorial, we will teach you techniques for creating flowcharts for PowerPoint. You will learn to use SmartArt to create a flowchart in PPT, as well as how to utilize premium templates for a quicker approach.
How to Quickly Make a Flowchart in PowerPoint
A great way to learn how to construct a flowchart in PowerPoint is by seeing a practical example. Watch the screencast below for an easy-to-follow guide on the secrets of creating flowcharts in PowerPoint.
To dive deeper, check out the written step-by-step guide below. I will show you two techniques to create a stylish flowchart that effectively maps out your processes.
Introduction to PowerPoint SmartArt
I’ve always admired graphic designers for their creativity and skills, which often take extensive training and practice to master. SmartArt in Microsoft PowerPoint is one of my favorite features because it allows you to create customizable graphics quickly without needing to hire a designer or spend time on complex graphic tools.
The best part about SmartArt is its adaptability. Instead of developing charts and reworking them in another application, PowerPoint updates them automatically.
Please note, the tips in this section were written using macOS and Office 365. If you’re using a different version of PowerPoint, your steps may vary slightly.
Making a SmartArt Flowchart in PowerPoint
SmartArt offers a variety of designs, allowing you to illustrate different ideas like org charts, pyramids, and lists visually. To create a flowchart using SmartArt in PowerPoint:
- Start by navigating to the Insert tab on PowerPoint’s ribbon.
- Click on the SmartArt button to get started.
You will see various styles to choose from. For a simple flowchart, let’s select the Vertical Bending Process.
Once you’ve inserted the SmartArt, a text box will open on the left side next to the SmartArt, allowing you to replace the placeholders with the steps in your process. Use each box to detail a step in your flowchart.
If you find you have more boxes than needed, simply delete a bullet point by pressing backspace, which will remove that step from the flowchart.
If you need to update the steps later, just click on the flowchart again to reopen the text box or type directly on the SmartArt chart itself.
Creating Branching Flowcharts in PowerPoint
A flowchart can also feature branches or options for how to proceed. For instance, if your process is dependent on a decision point, a branching flowchart can illustrate that. In a sales process, you might have branches for new customers versus past customers.
To create a branching flowchart, try using the Horizontal Organization Chart style in SmartArt. While typically used for showing company employees, it effectively demonstrates branching flowcharts.
After inserting the Horizontal Organization Chart, you can add your content, creating branches for various options.
As with the first flowchart, you will see a box on the left side where you can input your content. To create branches, press return in the outline box and press tab to indent. This allows you to create branches based on decisions, such as “yes” or “no” paths.
Branches in flowcharts are useful for outlining complex processes and decisions.
Using a Professional PowerPoint Flowchart Template
While SmartArt is a helpful way to build flowcharts quickly, it involves starting with blank slides. Using pre-built flowchart templates can save you time and provide design inspiration.
In this tutorial, we’ll utilize the Flowchart Animated Infographics template from Envato Elements. This premium theme features sleek flowchart infographics that are easy to customize. With 46 slides included, it significantly reduces the time you would spend designing flowcharts from scratch.
1. Centered Circular Flowchart
The template includes various pre-built flowchart designs. Let’s customize the first slide, which features a centered circular flowchart with descriptive text around the sides. This type of design is ideal if you have numerous details to convey, showcasing how different concepts link to an overarching idea.
Each of the three circles (or nodes) has space for text descriptions, allowing you to add further context.
To get started, click into one of the text boxes on slide #1. Replace the placeholder text with your own words, and repeat for the other text boxes.
In moments, you’ll have your first flowchart built, demonstrating the ease of using premium templates.
2. Linear Flowchart
For a more detailed flowchart, slide #40 showcases a linear flowchart that works well for more complex processes. Customizing it is similar to the previous slide: just replace the existing text with your own.
Additionally, let’s enhance the design with a creative color palette. The circles in the slide already have colors applied, which is a hallmark of premium templates. Customizing colors can make your flowcharts more visually appealing.
To adjust colors, click on a circle in the flowchart. A new tab titled Shape Format will appear on the ribbon. Click on Shape Format, then select the Shape Fill dropdown to access a color chooser menu.
Select a color, and watch the change in real-time, allowing you to match your flowchart to your brand’s colors.
3. Numbered Flowchart
Lastly, we’ll customize a numbered flowchart found on slides #20, #21, and #22 of the template. We’ll focus on slide #20, which highlights six sequential steps, each in a different color.
To customize the steps, swap out the placeholder text and optionally modify the shape colors as desired.
Premium templates simplify the process of creating stunning flowcharts in Microsoft PowerPoint. Rather than starting from scratch, you edit pre-built layouts tailored to your needs.
Explore Top Flowcharts for PowerPoint Templates
Let’s take a look at five excellent flowchart templates available on Envato Elements:
1. Flowchart Diagram for PowerPoint Presentation
This premium template includes 28 slides with various infographic flowchart designs, featuring both light and dark backgrounds for versatile style options.
2. Flowcharts Animated PowerPoint Presentation
This template elevates your PowerPoint presentations with 20 animated slides, making it easy to insert your content onto each slide. The vector graphics allow for easy edits.
3. Flowchart PowerPoint Templates
With over five dozen slides, these templates provide great flexibility. Robust and versatile, they come with a variety of creative layouts and high-resolution graphics.
4. Bulb, Line & Flowchart PowerPoint Template
These templates feature a lightbulb design to symbolize new ideas and connections. Free icons are included to enhance your slides uniquely.
5. Amiti - Creative PowerPoint Template
Amiti offers a wide range of options with a total of 1200 slides, many of which include flowchart designs that can be customized using SmartArt.
Conclusion
Creating flowcharts in PowerPoint is straightforward, especially with the premium templates from Envato Elements. Now it’s your turn to apply your new skills and build effective flowcharts in Microsoft PowerPoint. Choose a template and start redesigning your slides to make your explanations clearer and more impactful.
Editorial note: This post was originally published in September of 2017 and has been comprehensively updated by Andrew Childress.