How to Draw a Flowchart in Excel | Shapes & Connectors

Drawing a flowchart in Excel uses the built-in Shapes tool — pick flowchart shapes from Insert > Shapes, add connectors, and label each step.

Learning how to draw a flowchart in Excel doesn’t require extra software — the built-in Shapes tool handles the job. With a few clicks on the Insert tab, you can add flowchart shapes, connect them with arrows, and label each step to create a clear process diagram. This guide walks through the exact steps, from planning your process to aligning your final diagram.

Drawing a Flowchart in Excel: The Built-In Method

Before you open Excel, outline the process you want to diagram. Know the start, end, decisions, and actions. Then follow these steps:

1. Open a blank Excel workbook. (For a clean grid, set column widths to square cells: select all columns, right-click a column header, choose Column Width, and enter 2.5 or a value that makes squares.)
2. Go to Insert > Shapes and scroll to the Flowchart section near the bottom of the menu.
3. Click a shape (e.g., Terminator for Start/End, Rectangle for process, Diamond for decision), then click and drag on the sheet to draw it.
4. Type the step name directly into the shape — if it doesn’t let you type immediately, right-click and choose Edit Text.
5. Add connectors from the same Shapes menu: pick a line or arrow under the Lines section, then click the first shape and drag to the second. Excel snaps connectors to shape connection points.
6. Use the Format tab (appears when a shape is selected) to align shapes: select multiple shapes (hold Ctrl), then click Align and choose, for example, Align Top or Distribute Vertically.
7. Once everything is placed, select all shapes and connectors, right-click, and choose Group > Group to move the diagram as a single object.

Enable Snap to Grid under the View tab (check Gridlines and use the Align button’s Snap to Grid option if available) to keep shapes aligned as you drag.

What Flowchart Shapes Do You Use?

Use these standard symbols to make your diagram easy to follow:

Alternative Ways to Create a Flowchart in Excel

If you need a more automated approach or have access to Visio, two other options exist.

Visio Data Visualizer

Microsoft offers a template set called Data Visualizer that turns an Excel table of process steps into a Visio flowchart. This requires Visio (included with Visio Plan 1 or higher), but you can edit the source data in Excel and refresh the diagram. To use it: open Visio, go to File > New > Templates, choose Flowchart, and pick one of the Data Visualizer templates. Then select Excel data template and follow the wizard to map your workbook. Microsoft’s Data Visualizer documentation walks through the full process.

Flowchart Maker for Excel (Add-in)

The Microsoft Marketplace lists a third-party add-in called Flowchart Maker for Excel. It converts text descriptions into shapes and connectors directly inside Excel. The add-in is a SaaS product; check the Marketplace listing for current pricing and features.

Which Method Should You Choose?

Each approach has different strengths. The table below compares the three options across key factors.

For most users, the built-in Shapes method is the fastest and most flexible — no extra cost, no learning curve. Use Visio Data Visualizer when you already have Visio and need to generate diagrams from changing data. The add-in is a good middle ground if you prefer typing steps over dragging shapes.