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!
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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?
This is great! I just recently upgraded to Office 2007 and have struggled adapting to it (mostly with the ribbons). This is very helpful.
That was great information. You explained it perfectly and I made a chart right away. I was wondering if there is a way to up-load the chart using word and not having to purchase another program?
thanks
Larry
Thanks a lot for this information- I was having trouble finding the link on Word 2007 for a flowchart…very frustrating indeed! This gave me the help I needed- in nice, plain language.
Any help on how to prevent stapler-stealing?
thank you soo much!!!!
Hi - Can i create a hyperlink from the text in the flow chart?
@Roz:
Yes you can. In fact I wrote about it …
http://blogs.howtogeek.com/mysticgeek/2009/02/10/create-a-hyperlink-in-a-word-2007-flow-chart-hide-annoying-screentips/
I cannot find how to create connections between boxes. In older versions of Word there was a function of "connection" arrows instead of simple arrows, they kept the elements connected even if one of them got moved. How can I do the same in office 2007?
Thank you.
J
Can you please tell me how to use flowchart connectors (you know, those arrows that connect the shapes) so that they auto connect to the boxes and move as you move the boxes around. I cannot for the life of me get that to work and it's frustrating me to no end!
Someone on another forum said to create Insert | Picture | Canvas… but this option doesn't seem to exist in word 2007.
After making the various boxes and arrows in a Microsoft Word 2007 document, is it possible to copy the entire chart in a single copy command?
Using Word's menu option: 'Editing' then 'Select' then 'Select All' does not copy the chart. The 'Editing' > 'Select' > 'Select All' sequence seems only to copy the surrounding text, not the boxes and arrows in the chart.
Clay
How do you make swim lanes to put the shape in using the Word 2007?
Thanks so much! I don't like to read directions because they take too long, and yours pointed me in the right direction quickly so that I was able to take the ball and run with it. Can't tell you how much I appreciate it!
To draw connectors between two shapes (that move with the shapes):
1. On the Insert ribbon, click Shapes, then select "New Drawing Canvas"
2. Draw your boxes
3. Click Shapes, and select a line style
4. On the first shape, hover over the shape, point to where you want to attach the connector (one of the blue dots), and click the first connection spot
5. Do the same with the second connection spot on the second shape
6. Repeat as necessary.
7. That's it!
Once you have done a draft of your chart and added text, how do you go back and edit the text?
You should be able to (In Office 2007) just double-click on the text where you want to edit it and voila.
My favorite - creating flowcharts completely online and free. User needs no download, no install - as if Visio online. Refer to http://www.DrawAnywhere.com
I can't get text in a flowchart. It would only shows 1 letter inside a shape.
HELP~
how do you get a "yes" or "no" for the arrows to indicate flow in opposite directions from a decision point depending on whether the answer is yes or no?
@Martin - Thank you! That works great! However, as jennie points out, there doesn't seem to be a way to add the "yes" or "no" text to the connecting lines as a standard flowchart requires.
(PS - thanks to Microsoft (again) for taking something we all know how to do and changing it for no apparent reason other than change itself.)
I really am the skeptic in all this, however, I will try out the flow charting stuff.
My very first use is to convince all my friends that I can INDEED throw out my piles of junk without having serious mental breakdown (I may be fantasizing now - who knows).
Any way, here is my protocol to start:
1- Did I create it?
2- Is it sensitive (could others see it without having to be cleared for security)?
3- Is it useful to me or to others now?
4- Same as 3, above but will it be useful in the future to me or others?
5- Is it one of my meshuganah mementos, e.g., a moldy lump of wedding cake from my first marriage?
6- Else? Destroy, Destroy, DESTROY, HA HA HA!
END PROGRAM
STOP
I will let you know how it all "comes out" so-to-speak.
KnEIL.
The 2007 microsoft office word for the drawing of flowchart is not very user friendly…. Previously in the old version of office i can just drag out the flowchart component and draw flow chart.
But now if i wanted to change different font size when applying different flow chart shape, I have to
1) insert shape>reference>flow chart > shape.
If i wanted to change font again i have to go back to home. Then everything have to be repeated. Is there a way your just drag out the flowchart component like what i did in the old version or like microsoft powerpoint
Excellent guide to using Word 2007 for flowcharts.
Thanks for your post. It helped when the microsoft.com website could not! Glad I found ya!
Regards,
~Sandee
This information was invaluable for an assignment for school, thanks a bunch
Where is the diamond shape for decisions for a flow chart