How to make a flowchart in Word
You can draw a flowchart with Word’s own shapes, or make it in a flowchart maker and drop in the image. The first suits a five-box chart; the second is faster for anything with decisions.
Method 1: Make it here, insert into Word
Best for charts with decisions, loops or more than about six steps.
- Open the flowchart maker (or a template) and type your steps.
- Click SVG if you use Microsoft 365, or Download PNG for older Word and Google Docs.
- In Word, go to Insert → Pictures → This Device and pick the file.
- With the image selected, open Layout Options and choose In Line with Text so it moves with your paragraphs.
- Need changes later? Your chart is still saved in the browser: edit, re-export, and use Change Picture in Word to swap it in place.
Tip: for a chart that fills an A4 or Letter page, use Top → down. For a landscape slide or wide table, switch to Left → right before exporting.
Method 2: Draw it with Word’s shapes
Fine for a short, straight process.
- Insert → Shapes → New Drawing Canvas. A canvas keeps shapes and connectors together when text moves.
- From Insert → Shapes, pick shapes from the Flowchart group. Hover to see names like “Flowchart: Decision”.
- Right-click a shape → Add Text to label it.
- Join shapes with Lines → Elbow Arrow Connector, dropping each end on a shape’s grey connection dot so it sticks when you move shapes.
- Align with Shape Format → Align → Distribute Vertically.
SmartArt (Insert → SmartArt → Process) is quicker for a straight line of steps, but it can’t draw a decision with two branches.
Questions people ask
Does Word have a flowchart tool?
Not a dedicated one. Word has flowchart shapes under Insert → Shapes → Flowchart, and SmartArt process layouts under Insert → SmartArt. Both work for small charts; neither routes arrows or re-lays out the chart when you add a step.
Is there a flowchart template in Word?
SmartArt’s Process category (e.g. Basic Process, Vertical Process) works as a template for straight-line processes. It can’t draw decisions with two branches properly, which is why a separate flowchart maker is usually faster.
How do I keep the flowchart sharp when printing?
Insert the SVG version. Microsoft 365 Word inserts SVG as a vector graphic, so it stays crisp at any size. Older Word versions should use the PNG, which FlowBuilder exports at 2× resolution.
Does the same work for Google Docs?
Yes. In Google Docs use Insert → Image → Upload from computer and choose the PNG. (Google Docs doesn’t accept SVG uploads.)