Where is the flow connectors toolbar

Line-curve connector This connector has adjustable curvature. Auto-height box This is a bordered text box that adjusts to accommodate the amount of text you type. You can set the width by dragging the sides of the shape. Although this shape doesn't represent a step in a process, it is a handy way to add a text box to your flowchart. Annotation This bracketed text box adjusts to accommodate the amount of text you type. Like the Auto-height box shape, this shape doesn't represent a step in a process.

Use this to add comments about your flowchart shapes. Manual input This is a step where a person provides information to the process. Manual operation This is a step that must be performed by a person. Internal storage This shape represents information stored on a computer. Direct data This shape represents information stored so that any single record can be accessed directly.

This represents how a computer hard-drive stores data. Sequential data This shape represents information stored in sequence, such ad data on a magnetic tape. When data is stored in sequence, it must be retrieved in sequence.

For example, in order to access record 7 you would have to first go through records 1 through 6. Card and Paper tape This shape represents a physical card or paper tape. Early computer systems used a system of punch cards and paper tape to store and retrieve data and to store and run programs.

Display This shape represents information that is displayed to a person, usually on a computer screen. Preparation This shape indicates where variables are initialized in preparation for a procedure.

Parallel mode This shape shows where two different processes can operate simultaneously. Loop limit This shape marks the maximum number of times a loop can run before it must go on to the next step.

Control transfer This shape indicates a step that goes to a step other than the typical next step when certain conditions are met. The easiest way to print out a flowchart that is larger than your printer paper is to print it onto multiple pieces of paper and then tape the pieces together.

Before you start printing, however, it's important to make sure that the drawing page, as it appears in Visio, contains the entire flowchart. You can see whether the drawing page is large enough for the flowchart by checking the preview on the Page Setup dialog box File menu, Page Setup , Print Setup tab. With your flowchart open, on the File menu click Page Setup.

To see how the flowchart will print, look at the Print Preview , which is on the File menu. The figure below shows a flowchart that prints on four pieces of letter-sized paper. Don't click OK yet.

On the Page Size tab, click Size to fit drawing contents. The preview now shows the difference between the new page and the printer paper. On the File menu, click Print Preview to see how the flowchart will print. Note: If there are shaded margins between the pages, they mark areas that print on both pieces of paper so that when you assemble the pieces there are no gaps in the flowchart.

Create a basic flowchart in Visio. Create a flowchart Start Visio. Click the Flowchart category. Double-click Basic Flowchart. For each step in the process that you are documenting, drag a flowchart shape onto your drawing.

What the flowchart shapes represent When you open the Basic Flowchart template, the Basic Flowchart Shapes stencil opens too. Choose an option from that row, then click its Create button. Design the flowchart For each step in the process that you are documenting, drag a flowchart shape onto your drawing. The Shape Outline gallery appears. Point at Arrows , and then select the arrow style and direction you want.

See Also Add connectors between shapes Edit connector lines, arrows, or points. Need more help? Expand your skills. Get new features first. Was this information helpful? Yes No. About Flowchart. Flowchart Resources. Flowchart Related Topics. What is a Flowchart? Quality Glossary Definition: Flowchart Also called: process flowchart, process flow diagram Variations: macro flowchart, top-down flowchart, detailed flowchart also called process map, micro map, service map, or symbolic flowchart , deployment flowchart also called down-across or cross-functional flowchart , several-leveled flowchart A flowchart is a picture of the separate steps of a process in sequential order.

When to Use a Flowchart To develop understanding of how a process is done To study a process for improvement To communicate to others how a process is done When better communication is needed between people involved with the same process To document a process When planning a project Flowchart Basic Procedure Materials needed: Sticky notes or cards, a large piece of flipchart paper or newsprint, and marking pens. Define the process to be diagrammed. Write its title at the top of the work surface.

Discuss and decide on the boundaries of your process: Where or when does the process start? Where or when does it end? Discuss and decide on the level of detail to be included in the diagram. Brainstorm the activities that take place. Write each on a card or sticky note. Arrange the activities in proper sequence. When all activities are included and everyone agrees that the sequence is correct, draw arrows to show the flow of the process. IT Speed up security reviews and troubleshoot issues quickly.

Operations Define, map out, and optimize your processes. Product Plan projects, build road maps, and launch products successfully. Sales Align your revenue teams to close bigger deals, faster. Education Bring collaboration, learning, and technology together. By need Improve processes Identify gaps, pinpoint inefficiencies, and mitigate risk in your workflows.

Optimize organizations Create custom org charts to fit your business. Visualize technical systems Gain visibility into your existing technology. Replace Visio Diagram, share, and innovate faster with Lucidchart. Resources Helpful insights to get the most out of Lucidchart. Learning campus.

Case studies. What is a Flowchart. What is a Flowchart What do you want to do with flowcharts? I want to learn more about flowcharts. I want to create my own flowchart on Lucidchart. I want to create a flowchart from a ready-made template. Contents More flowchart tips What is a flowchart? Create a flowchart.

More flowchart tips Keep your audience in mind and gear the detail in your chart to them. Clear communication is a key goal of flowcharts. If the process you are charting involves different teams or departments, consider using a Swimlane Diagram to clearly delineate responsibilities and handoffs. This can allow you to break up a chart into separate pages and still flow well.

What is a flowchart? Flowchart symbols Here are some of the common flowchart symbols. More specifically, flowcharts can: Demonstrate the way code is organized. Visualize the execution of code within a program. Show the structure of a website or application. Understand how users navigate a website or program. Related diagrams used in computer software include: Unified Modeling Language UML : This is a general-purpose language used in software engineering for modeling.

Nassi-Shneiderman Diagrams: Used for structured computer programming. Also called Structograms. How flowcharts are used in numerous other fields Beyond computer programming, flowcharts have many uses in many diverse fields. In any field: Document and analyze a process. Standardize a process for efficiency and quality. Communicate a process for training or understanding by other parts of the organization.

Identify bottlenecks, redundancies and unnecessary steps in a process and improve it. Education: Plan coursework and academic requirements. Create a lesson plan or oral presentation. Organize a group or individual project. Show a legal or civil process, like voter registration. Plan and structure creative writing, like lyrics or poetry. Demonstrate character development for literature and film.