Google Sheets is an all-in-one tool to organize and analyze datasets. You can easily create flowcharts using the Drawing tool, which is accessible through the “Insert” tab of the main menu. There, you will find tens of shapes and line types to make your diagram aesthetically pleasing.
Many people agree that visual representation of data is easier to understand than written text.
Using graphs, charts, and diagrams is the key to successful data presentation.
Flowcharts help users graphically represent the workflows.
This is a beginner’s guide where we will discuss how to make a flowchart in Google Sheets from scratch. Stay tuned and read the article till the end so that you don’t miss any crucial information.
What is a Flowchart?
A Flowchart is a pictorial representation of a process or workflow.
Simply put, it represents the steps or actions sequentially using various shapes, lines, and arrows. They are used in various domains like education, business, engineering, and software development.
It helps simplify complex concepts for easier grasping.
Let’s dive deep into the process of creating a flowchart in Google Sheets in the following section.
Download the Example Google Sheet
Below is the example Google Sheet we have used in this article to demonstrate the process of creating a flowchart.
Make sure to download the following dataset and follow me along as I take you through the article.
If you have your own Google spreadsheet ready with the required dataset, skip downloading the above file. Note that practising the steps discussed below will help you master Google Sheets’ drawing tool.
Step-by-Step Guide To Google Sheets Flowchart
Apart from being an excellent data management tool, Google Sheets also allows users to create flowcharts to break the complex process into simple steps.
Google apps like Docs and Sheets use Drawing tools to create flowcharts. Though the tool is not as powerful as the dedicated apps, it gets the job done.
There are two ways to create a Google Sheets flowchart,
- Using the Drawing Tool
- Using the Pre-built Chart
Let’s discuss each method in detail.
METHOD #1 – Using the Drawing Tool
Google Sheets Drawing tool is used to insert shapes and lines. You can use the same to create a flowchart.
The drawing tool itself boasts several tools for advanced flow charts, including text boxes and images.
Here are the steps,
- Open a new Google sheet by clicking here
- Hover to the main menu
- Click on the “Insert” tab
- Choose the “Drawing” option from the popup
- A new popup will appear on the screen, as shown below
- Next, go to the toolbar section of the Drawing tool and click on the “Shapes” icon
- Select any shape of your choice. I am selecting the square-shape
- Click and drag on the canvas to draw the selected shape. Refer to the following GIF,
- Next, double-click inside the shape or click on the “Text box” icon from the toolbar section of the Drawing tool to add text
- Insert one more Square box as shown below
- To connect the shapes, draw lines or arrows to represent the flow of the process, as shown in the GIF below
Our simple flowchart with two square boxes is ready.
You can further customize it by changing the square box background color and also using different shapes.
Here is an example flowchart we created using the Drawing tool.
Once done, all you need to do is click on the Save and Close button that appears on the upper-rightmost corner of the screen.
That’s it! You have created a flowchart in Google Sheets. You can further customize it using colors, fonts, and styles to improve readability.
METHOD #2 – Using the Organizational Chart
There is one more alternative to prepare a flowchart using the built-in feature in Google Sheets.
An Organizational Chart in Google Sheets primarily represents the hierarchical structure and relationships within an organization. It is used to show the relationship between employees of a company or a group of people.
Note that we cannot use it to create a perfect flowchart, but it can be utilized as a basic form of a flowchart.
Consider the following table where we have student names with their favorite color.
Here are the steps to create an Organization Chart for the above data,
- Open the desired Google Sheet
- Select the dataset for which you want to create an Organizational Chart
- Hover to the main menu
- Click on the “Insert” tab
- Select the “Chart” option from the list
- A new popup along with a set of options will appear on the screen, as shown in the following image,
- In the Chart editor section, click on the “Chart type” dropdown
- You will find the “Organization chart” in the other section
- An Organizational Chart will look like below,
You can customize the flowchart using the “Chart editor” on the left side of your screen. You need to click on the “Customize” button as shown below.
Note that the Organizational Chart is not precisely a flowchart, but you can create a part of it using this in-built feature of Google Sheets.
Download FREE Google Sheets Flowchart Template
Are you looking for a ready-to-use Google Sheets Flowchart template?
Download the following Flowchart template for free. You can customize it as per your unique requirements.
Click Here To Use This Template!
The template includes example data for demonstration purposes. It is about the steps involved in shipping an order received through email. It illustrates the sequence of actions and decisions that take place within the order processing system, including accepting orders via email, checking if shipping is involved or not, printing the invoice, assembling the package, and shipping it.
You can easily replace the existing data by double-clicking on any of the shapes.
How to Export a Flowchart from Google Sheets
After you have created your flowchart, you can even export it in different file formats. The steps are pretty simple.
It can be done in two simple ways, as discussed below,
Method #1 – Downloading as PDF, XLSX, and HTML Document
This is a standard method of exporting spreadsheet content in Google Sheets. You can do it using the main menu.
Here are the steps,
- Open the Google Sheet that contains the flowchart you wish to export
- Hover to the main menu
- Click on “File” tab
- Choose the “Download” option from the popup
- Select the desired file format for exporting your flowchart from Google Sheets
(The available formats are .xlsx, .ods, .pdf, .html,.csv, .tsv)
If you wish to edit the flowchart in the future, then make sure to export it in the .xlsx file format.
Method #2 – Downloading as an Image
You can also export flowcharts in image file formats. The steps are quite different, and you need to do them directly from the drawing tool.
Here’s how to do it,
- Open the spreadsheet that contains your flowchart
- Double-click on the flowchart to open it in “Drawing” tool
- Click on the “Actions” dropdown present at the left-most corner
- Select the “Download” option from the list
Choose the file format that suits your preference. I am selecting the .jpg for the sake of demonstration.
What are the limitations of creating a Flowchart in Google Sheets?
Without any doubt, you can quickly create beautiful-looking flowcharts in Google Sheets.
But wait, there are a few drawbacks.
Here are a few of them,
- Limited Shape Options – Google Sheets offers minimum shapes and lines for creating flowcharts. This limitation may hinder you from expressing complex processes.
- Limited Formatting Options – Google Sheets allows you to customize the shapes, text, and arrows to some extent. It provides limited formatting options, which may result in a less visually appealing flowchart.
- Inefficiency – For complex flowcharts, Google Sheets can be tedious and time-consuming.
In short, if you wish to create simple flowcharts, then Google Sheets is the best option.
But if you are about to create complex workflows, then consider dedicated apps and tools.
FAQs
Q. Can you create a Flowchart in Google Sheets?
Yes, of course. Google Sheets is the best tool for creating basic flowcharts.
Though it is not a specialized platform for creating flowcharts, you can make a basic one with the help of a Drawing tool.
To open the Drawing tool, click on the “Insert” tab from the main menu and then select the “Drawing” option from the popup. It will open a new popup on your screen where you can use a handful of shapes, arrows, lines, etc., to create a flowchart.
Q. Does Google Sheets have a flowchart?
Google Sheets doesn’t come up with any built-in flowchart. However, you can use an organizational chart to create a two-step flowchart.
The steps to insert an organizational chart are discussed in the above section of this article.
You can also download the free Flowchart template by SoftwareAccountant using the following link.
Q. How do I create a simple workflow chart in Google Sheets?
A workflow chart is a basic form of a flowchart. It defines the sequence of tasks, processes, or steps involved to achieve a particular task.
Here are the steps to create a simple workflow chart,
- Open a new Google Sheet by clicking here
- Go to the main menu and click on the “Insert” tab
- Choose the “Drawing” option from the list
- A new popup will appear on your screen. Refer to the following image,
Next, you need to use the shapes, lines, arrows, and other tools from the toolbar section to create a professional-looking workflow chart.
Q. Does Google have a flowchart tool?
Google Sheets doesn’t have any dedicated or built-in flowchart tool.
You need to use the Drawing tool to create a flowchart in Google Sheets. The complete steps are discussed in the above section of this article.
The Drawing tool comes with a handful of shapes, lines, and arrows. You can also insert images to create complex workflows.
Q. Can I Collaborate on a Flowchart with Others in Google Sheets?
Yes. Google Sheets boasts real-time collaboration features. You can share your flowchart with unlimited users.
Make sure to assign specific roles to each user before sharing. Depending upon their roles, users will be able to view, edit, or comment on your flowchart.
Here’s how you can share your flowchart,
- Go to your Flowchart spreadsheet
- Click on “Share” present at the top right of the Google Sheets dashboard
- A new dialog box will appear on your screen, as shown below
- Enter the mailing address of the individual you want to share the flowchart spreadsheet
- Make sure to assign a specific role
- Click on the “Done” button
An invitation to collaborate will be sent instantly to all the shared users.
You can also directly share the link with the same person (the email entered in the above steps). Refer to the following image to get the shareable link.
To Summarize: How To Make A Flowchart In Google Sheets
Creating a flowchart to represent a moderately sized dataset visually is a breeze in Google Sheets.
For now, the Drawing tool includes a limited set of features. So, Google Sheets is not the best tool to create flowcharts for complex workflows. It allows you to make the basic structure of the sequence of steps involved in doing a task.
Feel free to comment below if you are stuck somewhere or having any particular issue while using the methods discussed above.
To learn excellent tips and tricks for becoming a pro at using Google Sheets, check out our blog page.