How do I create flowcharts in 365?

Though it can be done, I'm not a fan of creating flowcharts in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. You can do it in all three, but I freely admit I'm biased toward Visio because it was designed more specifically for creating flowcharts and other diagram types.

Regarding Visio, I'd like to restate part of what Furkaan said above:

If you have a commercial, government, or education license for Microsoft 365, then it includes a free version of Visio called Visio for M365. (NOTE: Visio is NOT included with Home or Personal M365 accounts). The easiest way to determine whether you have access to Visio for M365 is to 1) log into you M365 account, then 2) in the address box in your browser, type visio.office.com

If you do have access to the free version of Visio, you'll see something like the screenshot below. Note that the Flowchart Template is top center and there's a Visio button on the left navigation toolbar:

A final note: if you're interested in doing more sophisticated things like creating swimlane diagrams or using data in your diagrams, you'll need an additional license for either Visio Plan 1 or Visio Plan 2.

Hi Kenny,

Thank you for reaching out. My name is Furkaan, a user just like you. I’d be happy to help you with your concerns. There are two main ways to create flowcharts in Microsoft 365:

Using built-in tools in Word, PowerPoint, or Excel: These applications offer free options for creating basic flowcharts. You can use either SmartArt or Shapes to create your flowchart. SmartArt provides pre-designed templates that you can customize, while Shapes offer more flexibility in creating your own shapes.

Using Microsoft Visio: Visio is a dedicated diagramming application included in some Microsoft 365 plans (not free versions) that provides a wider range of shapes, templates, and formatting options for creating professional-looking flowcharts.

Here's a breakdown of the cost:

Using built-in tools in Word, PowerPoint, or Excel: Free with any Microsoft 365 subscription. Using Microsoft Visio: Included in some Microsoft 365 plans (typically more expensive plans). You can check your specific plan or visit the Microsoft website for details on pricing.

If you have any additional questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to reach out. Give back to the Community. Help the next person who has this issue by indicating if this reply solved your problem. Click Yes or No below. Best Regards, Furkaan