How to make an org chart

Need to create an organizational chart? You’re in the right place – there’s a ton of tools that you can use and I’ll show you how to make your org chart quickly using a wide variety of software tools. There’s several free options to choose from and some require payment (or offer a trial).

You can also use the table of contents below to jump to the software tool you’re using or would like to use, or scroll down to check them all out.

Using Microsoft Office For Org Charts

How To Create An Org Chart In Word

Microsoft Word offers a straightforward way to create org charts. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating org charts in Word:

1. Open Microsoft Word and select the “Insert” tab.
2. Click on “SmartArt” to choose from a variety of org chart templates.
3. Enter the text for each shape to represent the positions and names within the organization.
4. Customize the org chart by adding or removing shapes, changing colors, and adjusting the layout.

Best practices for creating org charts in Word include keeping the design simple, using consistent formatting, and ensuring the chart is easy to read and understand.

How To Create An Org Chart In Excel

Excel can also be used to create org charts, especially if you have existing data that you want to visualize. Here’s how to do it:

1. Input the organizational data into an Excel spreadsheet.
2. Select the data and click on the “Insert” tab.
3. Choose “SmartArt” and select an org chart layout that suits your needs.
4. Customize the org chart by modifying the layout, adding pictures, and adjusting the design elements.

Best practices for creating org charts in Excel involve using the “SmartArt” feature to leverage existing data and keeping the chart updated as the organization evolves.

How To Create An Org Chart In PowerPoint

PowerPoint is another useful tool for creating org charts, especially when presenting the organizational structure. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open PowerPoint and navigate to the “Insert” tab.
2. Click on “SmartArt” and choose an org chart layout.
3. Enter the text for each shape to represent the positions and names within the organization.
4. Customize the org chart by adding effects, changing colors, and adjusting the layout to fit the presentation.

Best practices for creating org charts in PowerPoint include not over-crowding the screen with too much information and ensuring the chart complements the overall presentation design.

Using Google Workspace For Org Charts

How To Create An Org Chart In Google Docs

Google Docs provides a collaborative platform for creating org charts. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating org charts in Google Docs:

1. Open Google Docs and click on “Insert” in the menu.
2. Select “Drawing” and then “+ New.”
3. Choose “Shapes” to create the org chart structure.
4. Customize the org chart by adding text, lines, and adjusting the layout.

Best practices for creating org charts in Google Docs include using the collaborative features to gather input from team members and ensuring the chart is accessible to everyone who needs it.

How To Create An Org Chart In Google Sheets

Google Sheets can be used to create org charts based on existing data. Here’s how to do it:

1. Input the organizational data into a Google Sheets spreadsheet.
2. Format the data with headers that help you organize the data (“Title” & “Reports To” are handy)
3. Select the data and click on “Insert” in the menu.
4. Choose “Chart” and select the org chart type.
5. Customize the org chart by adjusting the layout, adding labels, and modifying the design.

As always, make sure the sheet is shared with the people that need access.

How To Create An Org Chart In Google Slides

Google Slides is ideal for creating org charts within presentations. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Google Slides and click on “Insert” in the menu.
2. Select “Diagram” and choose an org chart layout.
3. Enter the text for each shape to represent the positions and names within the organization.
4. Customize the org chart by adding effects, changing colors, and adjusting the layout to fit the presentation.

Best practices for creating org charts in Google Slides include using the collaborative features to gather input from team members and ensuring the chart enhances the overall presentation.

Using Keynote For Org Charts

How To Create An Org Chart In Keynote

Keynote, Apple’s presentation software, offers a seamless way to create org charts. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating org charts in Keynote:

1. Open Keynote and click on “Shapes” in the toolbar.
2. Choose the shapes to represent the positions within the organization and arrange them accordingly.
3. Customize the org chart by adding text, lines, and adjusting the layout.

Best practices for creating org charts in Keynote include leveraging the design tools to create visually appealing and impactful org charts.

Using Notion For Org Charts

How To Create An Org Chart In Notion

Notion provides a flexible platform but honestly it isn’t great for the “classic” org chart (at the time of writing). While you can create databases and lots of other neat stuff, the closest you’ll come to an org chart is using a nested bullet hierarchy that looks like this:

• CEO
  • CFO
    • Analyst 1
    • Analyst 2
  • CTO
  • COO
    • Assistant
  • Security Chief
    • Guard

This is a very basic example, but shows what you can do quickly with Notion.

Another option would be to import an org chart from another tool using Notion’s /embed command.

Using ClickUp For Org Charts

How To Create An Org Chart In ClickUp

ClickUp is a great project management tool with tons of functionality that includes the ability to use a “whiteboard” to create an org chart. While not as smooth as some of the other options, if you’d like to keep everything in ClickUp, this might be the option for you.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating org charts in ClickUp:

1. Create new task and select “Whiteboard” from the top ribbon
2. Give it a name and click on “Create Whiteboard”
3. Create from scratch
4. Add rectangles and add text for positions and names
5. Arrange as needed and then click a rectangle to draw an arrow from, click on the dot on the side you want the arrow to start from, and drag it to the rectangle you want to connect it to.

Using Whimsical For Org Charts

How To Create An Org Chart In Whimsical

Whimsical is a great tool for design and layouts, and it can certainly handle making an org chart. Here’s the steps to create your org chart:

1. Create new board
2. Browse all templates on right hand side
3. Search for “organization”
4. Choose the chart you want to start with
5. Edit as needed

Summary

Org charts can be a great way to organize your business, event, or anything else with a hierarchy – and lets you quickly share that information in a visual manner which can be helpful for presentations and sharing. Whether you choose to create org charts using Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Notion, ClickUp, or any other tool, it’s essential to select the right software based on your specific needs and preferences. Some of these are very basic and would quickly become cumbersome while others can easily handle larger organizations. Use the steps and videos provided and hopfully you can master the art of visualizing your organization’s structure with ease, and make your next presentation that much better.

FAQ 

Introduction to Org Charts

An organizational chart, or org chart, is a visual representation of an organization’s structure and hierarchy. It illustrates the relationships and ranks of employees within the organization, showcasing who reports to whom and how different departments are interconnected. Org charts are essential tools for businesses as they provide a clear understanding of the chain of command, facilitate communication, and help employees comprehend their roles within the organization.