Create A Flow Chart In Word 2007
Flowcharts are a very good way to get a new idea explained in a presentation. Office 2007 has some great new tools for creating a visual appealing flowchart which can be used from Excel, Word or PowerPoint. Here we will take a look at creating a simple flowchart in Word 2007.
For the sake of this article I am going to start at the top of the document on the right side under the title. Then click Insert then Shapes on the Ribbon to select a shape from the Flowchart section. You can can then draw an outline for the size of this object on the document. You then will see how it will look right away.
To link the shapes on your flow chart there is a multitude of options. Here I am going to use an arrow. To efficiently create the flow chart, it is best to get the basic design first before worrying about the graphic effects. You can always add the effects later.
I choose a quick format for the first shapes, drawn the arrow, and am ready to set up more sections. I just copy and paste the first box and drag it to the appropriate position.
After getting accustomed to selecting shapes and adjusting their positions it’s probably a good idea to start adding text. To add text to the chart simply Right Click on a box and select Add Text from the menu and begin typing away.
The mini formatting toolbar is still available with any text you enter into the chart which comes in handy if you are use to it. If you are not a fan and want to stop it, you can make the mini formatting toolbar stop popping up.
Once you have the basic outline of the flowchart complete, it’s time to add some “pizzazz” to everything. This is done using the Format tab on the Ribbon. Here are a few shots of what you can do. This is the different colors you can make the shapes.
Here are Shadow and 3D effects. The cool thing with Office 2007 is you can just hover the mouse over the different effects and get a preview of how it will look in the document. This saves a lot of time rather than relying on a trial and error approach.
Another feature is inserting Smart Art. This allows you to insert nice pre-designed graphic layouts. You do not need to be graphic design expert to insert professional looking content.
A handy window opens up where you can insert text into the chart which in this case is Radial Cycle. You will see the text as it would appear in the smart art at the same time it’s entered.
A good way to help the graphics in your chart stand out better is to change the background color of the document. This is done from Page Layout and Page Background sections on the Ribbon.
This is a simple flowchart made with the steps and different options shown above.
Now you should have a basic grasp on how to create a flow chart and begin experimenting with the different options available in 2007. Have fun, experiment, and please leave feedback on how you impressed your boss! There has to be a better way to organize those TPS Reports!
Hey Geek! Awesome post - I will definitely try to use these suggestions as I develop documents in MS Word. I love Visio, but for "quick and dirty" diagramming, these steps and insights are truly great. KUDOS!
Thanks! I've become accustomed to using Visio for my flowcharts at home, but I don't have it on my work machine. This will be a big help.
If you save as .doc and open in Word 2003, does it at least vaguely resemble the Word 2007 version?
@Ryan:
I sent this chart to a friend of mine who opened it in 2003 and it looked fairly similar … the only difference being some of the arrows which were a bit out of alignment from the original but nothing that affected what was being communicated.
Thats a nice guide - however I was wondering if you know how to make a text box stick with an image in Word 2007? Simply right-clicking "insert imagetext" (my own translation) - won't make it stay with the image
Well done. If one wants a free alternative to Microsoft Office for diagraming. I would suggest using OpenOffice from Openoffice.org. It has all of the flowcharting capabilities of office (with even better 3D support) and is a completely free alternative to all of Microsoft Office on Windows and other operating systems.
I really liked this article. Its useful and I have never thought of Word 2007 for this. I have only one comment. Like many people I save these useful articles and in my case I use OneNote 2007 as its sensible. To do this with this article I have to Copy/Paste and its then not very reader friendly in One Note. Not complaining as you did not write it for this. So to get it neat I Copy to Word 2007, edit it, then copy to one note.
If others use one note for these things perhaps a version "save for one note" would be possible? Rather as articles have "Printer Friendly" maybe we could have "One Note Friendly" ? Thanks anyhow
Thank you!!! This was a very helpful article. The directions were so easy to follow.
You lost me at the very beginning. "For the sake of this article I am going to start at the top of the document on the right side under the title." At the top of what document? I puzzled over this for a few minutes and gave up.
@David:
The current blank document that I am creating into a FlowChart. This means my first object is going under the title "create a flowchart in word 200″
Thank you so much…this is the most easiest and simplest n practical way of learning flowcharts….thanks for the great help!
Your tips were excellent but when I printed out the instructions, the illustrations did not print.
The biggest problem in 2007 is that the arrows are not connected to the objects like the "Connectors" shapes in 2003. In 2003 there was gravity on the shapes/arrows and once the arrows/connectors were connected to a shape you could move a shape and the arrow/connector adjusted with it to maintain the connection.
Will the arrow point from and to its corresponding boxes automatically if I move one of the boxes in the flow-chart?
My ans is NOT since I don't know how to use. Can this acton work?