Microsoft Visio is a diagramming and vector graphics program included as part of Microsoft Office suite, first released by Shapeware Corporation in 1992 and eventually acquired by Microsoft in 2000.
Easy data-linked diagram creation with our library of templates, starter diagrams and shapes. As data updates itself automatically, so will diagrams and visuals update themselves as well.
Flowcharts
Flow charts are one of the most frequently used diagrams in business to visualize processes. They help break complex procedures down into steps that are easier for employees and customers alike to comprehend, while documenting, studying, planning and communicating are all achievable via these charts. They utilize shapes and arrows to show progression throughout a process while simultaneously helping identify an optimal route for tasks to be completed.
Microsoft Visio provides several templates to assist newcomers to flowcharting. Simply locate these by searching “flowcharts” on the left panel of Visio software and selecting your template of choice from its list.
Once you select a template, the program will provide a list of shapes and arrows you can add to your diagram. There are also connectors included to link shapes. Once clicked, shapes can also be customized in color and size by simply clicking them; text can also be added by double-clicking them.
Step one in creating a flowchart is selecting the SmartArt graphic you would like to use from the Insert tab. Select Process as your general category, and a gallery of available graphics will appear; choose one that best meets your needs from this selection.
Once you have selected the shapes that you would like to include in your diagram, drag and drop them onto the canvas before connecting them with lines. Additionally, you can alter their design using Options or Format tabs on the Ribbon and change how they appear as well. Having completed your flowchart, save or share it for future reference or with others.
Organizational Charts
Visio offers templates to make organizational chart creation easy for team leaders. Choose your preferred work units (metric or US), choose the template best suited to you and click Create to open up a drawing page containing only an Organizational Chart Shapes stencil.
This tool contains all of the shapes needed to construct an organizational chart. They can be easily dragged and dropped onto a drawing page for assembly, connecting lines by hovering over them; alternatively you can drag one shape over another and automatic connections will be created automatically.
Once your organizational chart has its shape, you can customize its appearance by adding names or labels by clicking and typing directly in the text pane that opens when clicking a shape. Rearrange the chart to show special or virtual team relationships or use dotted lines to indicate secondary reporting structures such as second managers.
Refresh Data in the ribbon toolbar provides another handy feature, enabling you to update a shape’s data quickly and efficiently. However, this only updates that specific shape’s data – it doesn’t impact other shapes or information added to them such as themes or photos.
Visio may not be intended to act as a comprehensive project management application, but it can make the task of drawing diagrams and connecting them to data easier. Visio can help users document complex processes easily while working alongside Word or PowerPoint programs such as these to easily create visualizations shared among colleagues.
Network Diagrams
Network diagrams are visual depictions of a location’s computer network’s connections, nodes, and devices, and help troubleshoot issues, update systems, document processes, communicate project goals to leaders and staff more easily, and assist with troubleshooting problems more quickly.
Visio features shapes for all of the common elements found in network diagrams, such as switches, routers, servers (both file and database), hubs and more. Furthermore, dynamic connectors make linking these shapes simple by snapping securely to each shape even as you shuffle around their order.
Visio provides templates that make creating network diagrams simple, or you can start from scratch using blank drawing pages. Either way, Visio offers many options for organizing and connecting shapes, adding text to shapes and connectors, formatting drawings, and formatting drawings.
If you’re starting from scratch when creating a network diagram, use the Shapes window to access and place shapes. When drawing on templates that require connections for example a flowchart diagram, AutoConnect arrows appear automatically; alternatively you can click Connector button under Tools tab to add them manually.
Once your diagram is finished, you can save it as a Visio file for future editing, or share it online via an instant link. For information that should remain private and only available to people who have a link to your file, Visio allows you to use custom shape properties which allow this function. Print your diagram for easy distribution!
Process Diagrams
Visio offers multiple forms of process diagrams, from basic flowcharts – which are easy to create and understand – to automated generation via its Data Visualizer diagram template. A basic flowchart consists of shapes that represent various aspects of a process and connecting arrows that connect them – each shape may have an associated description while its respective arrow indicates which part it corresponds with in terms of process flowcharting; use these shapes to illustrate anything from computer hardware repair procedures to company proposal development processes.
Microsoft Visio provides many standardized templates to get you started creating process diagrams, making them simpler for non-technical people to read. Or you can start from scratch, using its drag-and-drop interface and built-in tools for connecting shapes and adding text; as well as customizing its appearance with colors and themes.
Microsoft Visio provides another useful feature with its ability to edit existing diagrams and share them among multiple users, which is especially helpful for business process experts who need to document processes quickly and easily. For instance, its Excel table import functionality enables users to create diagrams quickly by bypassing manual data entry steps.
Visio also comes equipped with a web application, allowing users to view and edit diagrams in modern browsers. As an Office 365 subscriber, Visio diagrams can even be accessed remotely regardless of location. Furthermore, its API enables developers to automate various aspects of Visio software.
Maps
Visio provides an intuitive visual way of organizing information. Use Visio to easily build maps that visually represent your data by selecting from its array of shapes and templates for making different types of maps. Use its drag-and-drop feature to move shapes around, connect them together or label them, plus import and export your data as necessary in order to change diagrams quickly and efficiently.
Software designed specifically for teams is ideal for improving productivity among employees while simultaneously eliminating errors. By providing them with one central location to access project details and collaborate, this program allows teams to collaborate efficiently on their endeavors while managing all details easily. Learning it quickly is simple too and allows a wide variety of people to use it efficiently; furthermore it facilitates communication among team members while improving employee productivity by eliminating errors.
Microsoft Visio provides several templates for creating maps. These templates can be used both professionally and personally, while you can even use Visio to design maps from scratch using any shape you desire and adding relevant details. Furthermore, color enhancement makes your map even more visually appealing while organizing all your information more efficiently.
Visio can also be used for creating process diagrams. The software’s templates provide consistent solutions for building process models and sharing them among multiple users. Furthermore, Visio includes tools such as reusable stencils, templates, and property files to assist in creating business process maps.
The software also allows users to design flowcharts and org-charts for process optimization and increasing efficiency, as well as communicating across departments using this form.
