How-To

How to Create a Flowchart in Microsoft PowerPoint

By Bryan M. Wolfe

Updated November 27, 2023

Yes, you can create a flowchart in Microsoft PowerPoint. Better still, you can do so in just a few steps. Making changes to it is also a breeze.

A Microsoft PowerPoint presentation is only as powerful as the content placed on each of its slides. One option is to create a flowchart. A type of diagram, a flowchart represents a workflow or process and typically includes boxes and arrows.  You can create a flowchart with these items in a PowerPoint presentation to help your audience better understand a solution model to a given problem. Here’s how to do it.

Create a Flowchart in PowerPoint

You can insert a flowchart into a PowerPoint presentation by using a SmartArt graphic. To do so:

1. Open PowerPoint and the presentation you want to add a flowchart.
2. Go to the appropriate slide.
3. Click SmartArt on the Insert tab.
4. On the left, select the Process category in the Choose a SmartArt Graphic dialog box.
5. Single-click a flowchart in the middle pane to see its name and description in the right pane of the dialog box.
6. Select the flowchart you want to use.
7. Click OK.

Next:

Click the [Text] placeholder with the correct steps in your flowchart.

You can also change the color and style of the SmartArt graphic. Click the SmartArt Design tab with your slide selected, then choose Change Colors or Style and make changes. Click Reset Graphic to return the flowchart to its original look.

PowerPoint is inside the Microsoft 365 suite. The Microsoft 365 suite is currently available in three varieties for home use, including a Family, Personal, and Home & Student plan. Price-wise, the first is $100 per year (or $10/month) and includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook for Mac. Membership covers up to six users. The Personal version is for one individual and is $70/year or $6.99 per month. Finally, the student plan is a one-time purchase of $150 and includes Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Business users can select from Basic, Standard, and Premium plans, starting at $5 per user/month.

Are you looking for more to do with Microsoft PowerPoint? Check out how to create a Microsoft PowerPoint timeline to show dates, how to change the font on all slides in a PowerPoint presentation, how to remove an image background in Microsoft PowerPoint, and many others.