Flowcharts and diagrams can help people sympathise a process, encounter a sequence of events, and visually represent relationships. A flowchart shows steps in a sequence, which typically start at the elevation (or left) of a chart and progress to the bottom (or right). For example, a rectangle indicates a footstep that changes data, while a diamond represents a decision. A diagram shows a set of relationships among items, such as a timeline or nautical chart.

Within M Suite, Google Drawings lets you lot create flowcharts, diagrams, charts, and more. Once complete, you tin export a Google Drawing as an paradigm, which you may then insert into a Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides file. Optional third-party add together-ons offer admission to additional flowchart and diagram-creation tools.

SEE: Thousand Suite: Tips and tricks for concern professionals (free PDF) (TechRepublic)

Here's how to create flowcharts and diagrams within G Suite, forth with a look at how to insert these drawings into other G Suite apps.

Google Drawings

In Chrome on a laptop or desktop, go to drawings.google.com to create a new cartoon. Or, from drive.google.com, choose New | More | Google Drawings. One time yous have a Google Cartoon, yous can build your flowchart.

How to add flowchart shapes in G Suite

Cull Insert | Shape | Shapes to select and add from several pre-fabricated shapes (Effigy A). Grouped into three sets, the 28 flowchart symbols display in the lower-portion of the bachelor items. Motion the cursor over each shape, and the proper noun of the shape volition display. For example, the start few flowchart symbols indicate Flowchart: Process, Flowchart: Alternate Process, Flowchart: Decision, and Flowchart: Data.

Figure A

How to add flowchart text in One thousand Suite

Double-click (or double-tap) on a shape, and then type text to place each step in your process. On decision steps, you lot may likewise want to select Insert | Text Box, and then add together text adjacent to each potential decision path (e.yard., add a Y or N, or Scarlet, Blue, Green, etc.).

How to connect shapes with lines

Become to Insert | Line and and then select the line with an arrow to indicate the sequence of events. When the line element is selected and agile, dots will brandish at the corners (or sides) of shapes equally the cursor moves over a shape. Click (or tap) on i of these dots, and then–while all the same holding downwardly your mouse button, touchpad, or finger on the screen–drag the cursor to another shape. Again, dots volition brandish on the corners (or sides) of the second shape. Motion the cursor to one of these dots, so release the button or lift your finger from the touchpad or screen. You lot've created an arrow between two flowchart shapes to show the sequential relationship between two steps.

Repeat the higher up steps as needed to complete your flowchart.

How to create a diagram in G Suite

In both Google Drawings and Google Slides, you lot likewise might explore the Insert | Diagram card options. Google offers vi types of diagrams: Grid, Hierarchy, Timeline, Process, Human relationship, and Bicycle (Effigy B).

Effigy B

You tin can choose from between iv and viii diagram styles, depending on the diagram type selected. Unlike a flowchart, these diagrams typically prove a single process without alternative routes.

Flowchart, diagram, and chart add-ons

Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides each let third-party add together-ons. With a file open in any of these apps, choose Add-Ons and so Get Add-Ons to review the available enhancements. You can also enter a keyword (or keywords) to search the available add-ons.

For example, within Google Docs, cull Add together-Ons | Go Add-Ons and and so type Flowchart in the search box and press Enter. As of May 2019, you'll encounter four add-ons: Lucidchart Diagrams, Gliffy Diagrams, SmartDraw Diagrams, and Cacoo Diagrams (Figure C).

Effigy C

Add any of these to gain access to the respective service's flowchart and diagram creation features. Notation: If you use G Suite at work or school, a Thousand Suite administrator may restrict or manage admission to add-ons.

Lucidchart offers an add together-on for all iii of the core Google Docs apps: Lucidchart Diagrams for Docs, Lucidchart Diagrams for Slides, and Lucidchart Diagrams for Sheets. Within each of these apps, when you have a file open, choose Add-Ons | Get Add together-Ons and then search for Lucidchart. Organizations that consistently create complex charts and diagrams might buy a Lucidchart license for people in the organization.

Come across: Create an org nautical chart or a diagram in minutes with Lucidchart (TechRepublic)

Your experience?

Do you create flowcharts or diagrams within G Suite? If and so, accept you used third-party add-ons or apps, such as those from Lucidchart or Gliffy, to add functionality to Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides? Let me know what your experience has been, either in the comments or on Twitter (@awolber).