Organizational charts are not only an elegant way to represent hierarchical structures, but also a valuable tool to promote clarity within an organization. MS Visio offers versatile functions to create such a diagram and make adjustments with ease. In this guide, you will learn how to effectively create an organizational chart in Visio to clearly visualize your company's structure.
Main Insights
- Visio provides templates for various types of organizational charts.
- The user interface offers specific tools for customizing layout and design.
- Images can be added to give a personal touch.
- The alignment and size of shapes can be flexibly adjusted to fit your preferences.
Step-by-Step Guide
Start by opening Visio and initiate a new document. Go to the homepage and select "New" to open the editing area for a new diagram. Here you will find a variety of templates that will greatly facilitate your start.
Click on the "Organizational Chart" point on the templates page. You also have the option to browse the online templates from Office. Simply enter "Organizational Chart" in the search bar and click on the search icon or press the Enter key.
In the next dialog, you will be asked if you want to create a new organizational chart. You can also access special templates, such as a departmental organizational chart or a hierarchical organizational chart. Therefore, select the department diagram first and click on "Create".
After creating the template, you will see the initial organizational structure. To display the hierarchical relationships between employees, Visio has automatically inserted some shapes into your canvas. On the left side of the user interface, you will find specific shapes for your organizational chart.
You can simply drag and drop these shapes into your canvas. To adjust the displayed information, click on the shapes and edit them according to your wishes. Click on a shape to enter the name of the person you want to represent.
For example, the CEO could be placed here. To enter a name, click on the text field and type the desired name. Visio's shapes also allow you to add images of employees. Simply click on the image file and easily add your picture.
Now show how the layout can be adjusted. You can choose between horizontal and vertical layout formats. For example, if you need a left-aligned layout, select this option from the "Layout" menu. You can also adjust the spacing between individual shapes so that your organizational chart not only looks informative but also appealing.
If you want to adjust the arrows between the shapes, it is also straightforward. Right-click on the connector to change the type of connector, such as between a straight or curved connector.
Furthermore, you can adjust the color and thickness of the lines. The fill menu can be found in the formatting area on the right side. For example, you can change the color from blue to red or increase the line thickness.
If you want to change the appearance or shape of the shapes, various options in Visio allow you to do so, such as selecting round shapes instead of square ones. You also have the option to adjust the height and width of the shapes to your liking.
Don't forget to regularly adjust the view to the current window so that you always have the best view of your organizational chart. You can do this through the view settings on the right side.
If the organizational chart is to continue to grow, you can always add new shapes and connect them accordingly. The simple addition of connectors between the shapes allows you to clearly depict the hierarchies.
Summary
In this guide, you have learned how to create a professional organizational chart in MS Visio. From selecting templates to editing shapes to adjusting the layout - you are now well equipped to effectively and attractively represent the hierarchical structure of your organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the right template for my organizational chart?You can select and customize various organizational chart templates through the homepage of Visio.
Can I insert images into my organizational chart?Yes, you can add images to shapes to personalize your organizational chart.
How do I adjust the size of the shapes?You can independently change the size of the shapes by dragging the corners or sides.
Can I change the layout arrangement of my organizational chart?Yes, under the "Layout" menu, you can choose between different arrangements, such as horizontal or vertical.
Do I need to manually enter data for the organizational chart?Yes, you must enter the data and names manually into the respective shapes to create your organizational chart.
