Introduction to flow charts

One of the most universal chart types, flowcharts help people develop, document, and improve processes, systems, and algorithms.

In its most basic form, a flowchart consists of shapes and arrows. The shapes, including rectangles, triangles, and ovals, represent the steps of a process. Arrows are used to connect these shapes to show the path or flow through the process.

Basic flowchart elements

Here are some common objects you will see in a flowchart:

• Arrows indicate the direction of the card’s flow.
• The Decision form is a diamond that indicates a question that must be answered, such as yes/no or correct/incorrect.
• The Process shape is a rectangle that represents a process, action, or operation.
• The Terminator shape is an oval that indicates the start or endpoints of the flowchart.

More flowchart symbols

• Connector: Connects individual elements on a page. Used for complex schedules.
• Data (I / O): Represents input, output, or sources used or generated.
• Database: Represents a database.
• Conclusion: Indicates a question that needs to be answered – usually the answer is yes/no or right/wrong. The path can change based on the answer.
• Delay: Indicates a delay or waiting period in a process.
• Direct Access Storage (hard drive): Stands for data storage on a hard drive.
• Display: Refers to the information displayed to a user, often with a computer screen.
• Document:  Represents a document or report.
• Internal storage: Represents data that is stored in RAM.
• Manual Entry: Represents the manual entry of data into a computer, usually using a keyboard.
• Manual control: Indicates that the step should be performed manually and not automatically.
• Merge: Combines multiple paths.
• Multiple Documents: Represents multiple documents or reports.
• Note: Show comments on a flowchart.
• Off-Page Link: Connects individual elements that are on more than one page. Used for complex schedules.
• Or: Represents a path that diverges.
• Paper tape: Represents input or output.
• Predefined Process: Refers to a complex process that is known or described elsewhere.
• Preparation: Represents preparation for the following steps.
• Stored data: Represents data that is on a storage device.
• Merge: Adds the input from several merging paths together.

Build a flow chart online

You can create a flowchart with online flowchart creator from scratch or from any of their homemade templates.

Create a flowchart from template

You can access various templates by clicking the Templates tab on your documents page, by clicking “+ New Document” in the File menu of an existing document, to open the Workspace Manager while you are in an existing document. Open the flowchart section, then click a thumbnail to preview a template. Click “Create Document” to create an editable copy of a template. There may be different approaches for different flowchart creator.

Create a flowchart

You can create a flowchart from scratch by dragging and dropping the shapes into the Flowchart shape library.

Note: The flowchart shape library should be automatically pinned to your toolbox when you create a new document. If you don’t see it, you can enable it from the Shapes section of the Workspace Manager.

After dragging out the first shape, you can add a second one by clicking the red connection point on the border of the shape and then selecting a second shape from the auto prompt menu.

You can add style to the shapes in your flowchart using the options in the property bar.