Many people, including myself, prefer to use flowcharts to represent data because they are not too difficult to create and understand.
In this article, learn how to create a Google Sheets flowchart. A flowchart template is also included to help you get an overview.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create a flowchart using Google Sheets.
Contents
- 1 Steps on Making a Flowchart in Google Sheets
- 2 Example Google Sheets Flowchart Template
- 3 How to Export a Flowchart From Google Sheets
- 4 Frequently Asked Questions
- 5 Can I Collaborate on a Flowchart with Others in Google Sheets?
- 6 What Are Some Common Use Cases for a Google Sheets Flowchart?
- 7 Conclusion
Steps on Making a Flowchart in Google Sheets
Unfortunately, Google Sheets doesn’t have built-in tools that you can use to create flowcharts. The fact remains that creating a flowchart in Google Sheets is fairly easy, but it can take a little time depending on the size and users.
Follow the steps below to learn how to create a flowchart in Google Sheets.
- Open Google Sheets and create a new blank spreadsheet.
- Use the Draw option to create a flowchart, as there are no built-in flowchart templates or tools. Go to the “Insert” tab, click to bring up the submenu, and select “Drawing” from the list.
- Once in the “Drawings” window, click or select the “Shapes” icon and select any shape you want to use for your flowchart.
- Once you’ve decided on the shape you want for your flowchart, select it from the Shape pop-up list. Click on it and drag it onto the canvas provided.
- You can adjust the length, width, and position of shapes using the drawing feature in Google Sheets. After dragging the shape onto the canvas provided by Google Sheets, find a suitable size for the shape.
- Then click the text box icon and place it inside the selected shape to add your text inside it. You can also add text by double-clicking inside the shape.
- Repeat steps 3 and 5 above to add more shapes with text to your flowchart.
- Don’t forget to arrange the shapes in a flow chart format. Once all the shapes are arranged and labeled accordingly, use the line tool to connect the shapes. It’s also a good idea to use arrow lines to link the shapes. The line tool is next to the shape icon.
- Click the dropdown arrow and select an arrow option from the list.
- Using the Text Box tool to add text to the lines with arrows makes the flowchart easier to understand. As you do this, a purple dot will appear on the shape. These dots act as connectors so you can center the lines.
- Customize shapes, lines and text as desired. Don’t forget to keep it tidy so that others can read it.
- Once you’ve completed all of the steps above and are happy with your flowchart, click Save & Close to add it to your Google Sheets document.
Example Google Sheets Flowchart Template
Customer Service Flowchart
The flowchart above shows the customer service process for handling inquiries. The process begins with receiving a customer inquiry. The next step in this process is to check if the contact is valid. If the investigation is determined to be valid, it will be assigned and investigated. However, if it is deemed not valid, the inquiry will be rejected and the process will be terminated.
If we require additional information, we will ask you to provide the additional information necessary to complete the investigation of your inquiry. Once the inquiry is resolved, the inquiry is closed and the process ends.
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How to Export a Flowchart From Google Sheets
There are two ways to export your flowchart from Google Sheets:
First method:
- Open the Google Sheets file containing the flowchart you want to export
- Go to File > Download
- select a download format. Available formats include xlsx odds pdf, html, csv, tsv
When exporting a flowchart as an image:
- Double-click the flowchart to open the drawing window.
- Go to Action > Download.
- choose a format. Available formats include pdf, jpeg, png, svg
Your flowchart will be downloaded and saved to your device in the format of your choice, making it ready for use anywhere.
Another way to import your flowchart into Google Sheets is to take a screenshot of your flowchart and save it as an image file to your computer. To take a screenshot on your computer, press his PrtScn or PrtSc (short for Print Screen) on your keyboard.
Once you have the screenshot, paste it into an image editor such as Paint or Adobe Photoshop, crop the screenshot, and finally save it as an image file on your computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Collaborate on a Flowchart with Others in Google Sheets?
Yes, you can collaborate on flowcharts with others in Google Sheets. Google allows you to set permissions for how you share your spreadsheets. Here’s how:
- Go to the flowchart spreadsheet.
- Click the “Share” option on the top right of the page.
- Add the email addresses of people you want to collaborate on the flowchart.
- To set permissions for other users, select Editor in the dropdown menu at the bottom right of the share tab. There are three options for her: viewer, commenter, and editor. Selecting Editor grants full access to the spreadsheet.
- Click Send to invite them to collaborate on your flowchart. Colleagues will now receive an invitation to collaborate with you on flowcharts and will have access to flowcharts as well.
Alternatively, you can create a link to share your spreadsheet.
- Click “Share.
- Click the “Restricted” dropdown and select “Anyone with the link.
- Click the Viewer dropdown to set permissions.
- Copy the link and share it with others.
Now you and your colleagues can collaborate in real time. Changes made by one person are visible to everyone you invite to collaborate.
This allows you to collaborate on flowcharts with others in Google Sheets.
What Are Some Common Use Cases for a Google Sheets Flowchart?
Flowcharts in Google Sheets are useful tools for organizing and visualizing a wide range of processes and workflows.
Common use cases for Google Sheets flowcharts include:
- Project Management – Flowcharts are a very useful tool when managing projects as they can be used to visually plan the steps and tasks involved, who is responsible for each task, deadlines, dependencies and milestones.
- Human Resources – Flowcharts can be used to illustrate the hiring process from job posting to interview.
- Customer Support – Use flowcharts to plan or visualize your customer support processes.
- Financial Analysis – Flowcharts can be used to plan or visualize the financial analysis process including data collection, analysis and ultimately reporting.
- Sales and Marketing – In this case, flowcharts help you visualize or plan your sales and marketing funnels, from lead generation to customer conversion to customer retention.
Conclusion
Flowcharts are very easy to make with the Google Sheets drawing tool and I don’t think you’ll have any trouble following the guide.
You can also use the template provided above to save time creating your own template. The template is fully customizable, so feel free to use it, especially if it relates to what you want to demonstrate using the flowchart.
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