Building an organizational chart in Visio is a straightforward process starting with selecting the right template and dragging shapes onto the canvas.
Getting Started with an Org Chart Template
To begin creating your organizational structure visually in Visio, you first need to access the dedicated template. This template provides the specific shapes and tools designed for org charts.
The initial steps involve:
- Select File > New: This opens the template gallery.
- Select Organization Chart: Locate and choose the specific template for organization charts. This sets up your drawing environment with the necessary shapes and structure.
Choosing Org Chart Shapes
Once the template is open, Visio provides specialized stencils containing shapes representing different roles or positions within an organization.
- In the Shapes pane, located in the left margin of the Visio window, you'll find various org-chart stencils.
- Choose from the five available stencils, typically starting with the basic organization chart. These stencils offer shapes like "Manager," "Position," "Executive," etc.
Building the Hierarchy on the Canvas
With the shapes selected, you can start constructing your chart by adding and arranging them on the drawing page (canvas).
- Begin dragging shapes onto the canvas: Select a shape from the Shapes pane (e.g., a "Manager" shape) and drag it onto the blank page. Add subsequent shapes as needed for each person or position.
Connecting Shapes to Show Relationships
The core of an org chart is showing the reporting structure. Visio uses connectors for this purpose.
- Use connectors to show the organizational hierarchy: Drag connector lines between shapes to indicate reporting relationships (e.g., drawing a line from a Manager shape to a Position shape underneath it). Many org chart shapes in Visio have built-in connection points that make this process easy, and some templates automatically connect shapes when you drag one shape over another.
Following these steps allows you to create a visual representation of your organization's structure using Visio.
