Flowcharts and Gantt Charts in Keynote

Learn to build Keynote flowcharts and Gantt charts.

We’ll also provide some tips for how to use flowcharts in Keynote and answer some common Keynote questions.

So, you’ve been asked to give a presentation on the big project that you’re planning. Consider creating a Keynote flowchart or Gantt chart from a template.

A successful presentation improves the chances that your project will be approved, helping you secure the resources you need.

One key aspect that management looks for when approving a project is a solid, well-thought-out plan. That’s why you should illustrate your project with tools like flowcharts and Gantt charts in Keynote. These visual aids effectively demonstrate that the project has been thoroughly researched and planned.

Whenever you’re designing an illustration of a process or project, using graphics to depict the steps can be incredibly helpful. In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to build beautiful Keynote flowcharts and Gantt charts, showcasing processes and projects that are well-structured and prepared.

How to Make Charts & Diagrams in Keynote (Watch & Learn)

In this screencast, you’ll learn how to make a flowchart in Keynote, as well as how to create Gantt charts. These two types of charts can illustrate even the most complex processes or projects. You’ll discover how to utilize built Envato Elements templates and add your details to them to quickly create your own process diagrams.

If you want to learn more about when and how to use these template types, keep reading this tutorial. I’ll show you the shortcuts that help you build Apple Keynote flowcharts and Gantt charts quickly.

How to Make a Flowchart In Keynote Using a Template

First, let’s explore Keynote flowcharts. A flowchart is designed to show how the steps in a process fit together, breaking down complicated processes into clear, sequential steps.

Imagine you’re designing a new process and need to break it down into its steps. This is where a flowchart comes into play.

A Keynote flowchart can be as simple as a series of boxes linked together with arrows. You can draw those from scratch using shapes in Keynote, or you can use pre-built Keynote flowchart templates that are much easier to update and customize.

1. Choose a Keynote Flowchart Template

In this tutorial, we’re going to use Envato Elements. If you haven’t checked out Elements yet, you should. It’s a service that has everything you need to create the best presentation possible.

One template I recommend from Envato Elements is the Metro Keynote template. It’s tailor-made for building flowcharts in Keynote for your presentations. Let’s look at how to create a flowchart in Keynote using this template.

2. Pick a Slide to Base Your Keynote Flowchart On

Within Metro, you can use slide 153 to create your own Keynote process flow from the template. Check out the screenshot below to see the starter flowchart you can customize.

A flowchart can have multiple branches, as shown in the example above. At the placeholder “Credit card or PO?” step, the Keynote flowchart incorporates branching logic to illustrate a decision based on how the customer is paying.

It’s also a good idea to use different shapes to convey different meanings. Notice how the “Credit Card or PO?” box is a diamond shape, indicating a decision point in the flowchart.

3. Customize a Keynote Flowchart Template Slide

Customizing this Keynote flowchart slide is easy. You don’t need to download any special Apple flowchart apps to work with it. Simply update the placeholder text on the boxes and rearrange them to fit your process. Below is a customized Keynote process flow template.

One of my favorite uses for Keynote flowcharts is to train new team members. Providing a visual representation of how to evaluate situations can be very beneficial. With a branching approach, you can also build in conditional logic to ensure sound decision-making.

How to Use a Keynote Gantt Chart Template

While flowcharts show processes as simple, sequential steps, Gantt charts can illustrate multiple steps of a process occurring simultaneously.

I appreciate Gantt charts because they depict the complexity inherent in most projects. Projects often have numerous processes running in parallel to achieve a goal, and a Gantt chart illustrates how the team can work together to complete the project.

In contrast to flowcharts, Gantt charts allow for many steps to run side-by-side. This is true for nearly any project. Below is a screenshot of a Gantt chart in action.

You could spend a significant amount of time drawing shapes and diagrams to build a Gantt chart from scratch, or you could use a pre-built Apple Keynote theme that includes a Gantt chart you can customize.

1. Choose a Keynote Gantt Chart Template

I recommend using a dedicated Apple Keynote Gantt Chart template from Envato Elements. With Elements’ all-you-can-download model, you can grab a Gantt chart Keynote template easily.

There’s a presentation template designed specifically for creating Gantt charts—the Gantt Chart Keynote Template. The one-week Gantt screenshot above is just one of over 19 different Gantt charts you can customize within this Keynote template.

2. Customize an Apple Keynote Gantt Chart Template Slide

Let’s take a look at how to customize it. In my example, I’m using an Apple Gantt chart to illustrate a one-week product boot camp. These sprints often occur in lean organizations, where small teams focus on completing a launch within a single week. When time is of the essence, it’s crucial to show how different groups can interact in parallel.

In the example below, I modified the key so that each color thumbnail represents a different team in the company. On the left side, I added descriptions of what each team should be working on. Here’s a modified Gantt chart in Keynote.

You don’t need to use this Apple Keynote Gantt chart template for all the slides in your deck. You can copy and paste the Gantt slide into another slide deck you’ve developed. If you created a flowchart with a separate Keynote slide template, just copy and paste the entire slide by selecting the thumbnail in the sidebar, then choosing copy, and pasting it into another presentation file.

Gantt Chart Strengths

One of the strengths of Gantt charts is that they demonstrate processes in parallel. Often, tasks depend on other tasks for completion. For example, the sales department may need the website redesign completed before pushing new products. Gantt charts help each team understand where they fit into the process.

Regardless of which type of chart you use, illustrating a process with a chart rather than a written description is a significant improvement. Consider using a Keynote Gantt chart or flowchart to showcase your next project’s plan.

5 Tips to Make Great Flowchart & Gantt Chart Designs in Keynote

Want to create a compelling and successful slide deck? Using a Keynote Gantt chart or flowchart can help bring projects to life for your audience. Here are five quick tips to get you started:

1. Match Your Process With Charts

While we’ve discussed the differences between Gantt charts and flowcharts, they share one common goal: simplifying processes with illustrations. As you build your diagrams, consider the nature of your process.

If you’re working through a linear process, a flowchart is a great choice. If your project involves simultaneous steps, consider using a Gantt chart. Avoid overcomplicating things and confusing your audience.

2. Prepare Presenter Notes to Stay Focused

Remember, Gantt charts and flowcharts are visual aids. Overloading them with data and text defeats their purpose. The best approach is to create a simple chart and fill in details with your narration.

Thanks to Presenter Notes in Keynote, you can build your narration right inside the app, allowing you to present confidently without relying on note cards!

3. Stay Cool and Modern

Minimalism is a popular design trend that embraces open space, helping your ideas stand out. Audiences now expect clear and concise slide decks that minimize distractions. Minimalism helps you deliver in style using strong contrasts and sleek fonts.

4. Engage Audiences With Animations

Animating your Keynote Gantt charts and flowcharts can keep your presentation engaging. You can display only certain elements of the chart at a given time, helping to maintain audience focus.

Animations are easy to implement in Keynote, and they can significantly enhance your presentation.

5. Customize Colors

Using bright colors can contrast different parts of your chart effectively. Many pre-built templates already have beautiful color themes. Don’t settle for a flat design when you can have colorful and visually appealing charts.

Download Unlimited Flowchart and Gantt Chart Templates From Envato Elements

Envato Elements is a popular subscription service that creatives globally appreciate. It offers unlimited downloads of every creative asset on the platform for one flat monthly fee.

Explore Envato Elements to see what’s available.

With Envato Elements, unlimited means unlimited. You’ll never encounter any caps or artificial limits. Just sign up and download as much as you’d like. Imagine what you could create with access to limitless Keynote flowchart templates, photos, and Photoshop add-ons. Sign up for Envato Elements today to start designing without restrictions.

5 More Pro Keynote Templates (Flowcharts, Diagrams, & Gantt Charts)

We’ve discussed a fantastic Keynote template option for diagrams, but it’s not your only choice! Thanks to the vast library of Envato Elements templates, there are other ways to build Gantt charts and flowcharts that match your style. Here are five more Keynote templates to consider:

1. Gantt Chart Keynote Template

This download shares its name with the template mentioned earlier, but it offers a unique take on the Gantt chart style. Explore this option for more process flow templates you can utilize in Keynote.

2. Public Keynote Template

The Public Keynote template is ideal for most business presentations, featuring a comprehensive library of templates suited for various presentation needs. This includes infographic charts and beautiful Gantt charts for Keynote.

3. Maxpoint Keynote Template

Maxpoint includes over 100 attractive Keynote charts, including many slides for diagrams. This collection features templates for both Gantt charts and flowcharts.

4. Business Plan Keynote Template

Keynote is perfect for developing a business plan template for your next pitch or idea showcase. You can effectively utilize the included Gantt chart diagrams to illustrate your business growth process, as well as build flowcharts.

5. Narada Keynote Template

Narada is a versatile business template offering various slide designs, including a Gantt chart Keynote template. Label the arrows with key milestones and supporting points below for an effective presentation.

More Ideas for Keynote Designs

Check out these articles for additional inspiration on creating visually appealing Keynote presentations:

• 35 Modern Keynote Templates to Create Beautiful Presentation Designs {.roundup-block__content-link}
• 30+ Premium Mac Keynote Presentation Templates to Download in 2024 {.roundup-block__content-link}
• 35 Best Keynote Presentation Templates (Designs For Mac Users 2024) {.roundup-block__content-link}
• 30 Best Free Keynote Presentation Templates Designs (Download for 2024) {.roundup-block__content-link}

Common Keynote Questions Answered (FAQ)

As you work with Keynote diagrams and Gantt charts, you may have questions. Keynote is user-friendly, but it also has deep features with many settings.

We’ve built a learning library to help address any questions you encounter while working with Keynote Gantt charts. It’s called “How to Use Apple Keynote (Ultimate Tutorial Guide)”, which includes everything you need to learn the app.

1. What Size Should You Use for Keynote Presentations?

Dimensions are important when setting up a Keynote presentation. If your layouts aren’t set up properly, you risk cutting off parts of your presentation on screen.

Setting your dimensions correctly is crucial to maximizing your Keynote diagrams. Learn more about this topic here .

2. What Are Keynote’s Unique Features?

If you’re considering switching to Keynote, you may wonder about its unique features. One standout feature is Magic Move, an eye-catching way to transition between slides that you must see to believe.

You can learn how to implement Magic Move in your presentations by following this guide .

3. Does Keynote Support Multimedia?

Keynote Gantt charts are a great start for illustrating a process on your slides. They become even more engaging when paired with video, adding another layer of interest to your presentation.

Keynote supports video files (as well as audio), and you can find out how to add them in this article .

4. Can You Share Keynote Presentations Online?

Your Keynote Gantt chart and diagrams deserve to be seen. When gathering everyone in one room isn’t feasible, you can stream your Keynote presentation using Keynote Live. Find out how in this tutorial .

5. What Formats Does Keynote Support?

Not everyone uses Keynote, and many users cite the “lock-in” effect of PowerPoint as a reason to avoid switching. The good news is that converting a PowerPoint presentation to Keynote format is easy, ensuring you won’t miss a beat.

Learn how to import PowerPoint files into Keynote here .