Create an organization chart in Office by using SmartArt (2023)

If you want to illustrate the reporting relationships in your company or organization, you can create a SmartArt graphicthat uses an organization chart layout, such as Organization Chart.

Tip:An alternative way to draw an org chart is with Visio, the Microsoft diagramming app. If you have Visio, read about how to use it to make an org chart in Create an organization chart in Visio.

Overview of creating an organization chart

Use a SmartArt graphic to create an organization chart in Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, or Word to show the reporting relationships in an organization, such as department managers and non-management employees.

Create an organization chart in Office by using SmartArt (1)

If you're unfamiliar with using SmartArt graphics, you might want to read the following articles before getting started on an organization chart:

  • Learn more about SmartArt Graphics

  • Choose a SmartArt graphic

Create an organization chart

  1. On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, click SmartArt.

    Create an organization chart in Office by using SmartArt (2)
    Example of the Illustrations group on the Insert tab in PowerPoint 2016

  2. In the Choose a SmartArt Graphic gallery, click Hierarchy, click an organization chart layout (such as Organization Chart), and then click OK.

    Create an organization chart in Office by using SmartArt (3)

  3. To enter your text, do one of the following:

    • Click in a box in the SmartArt graphic, and then type your text.

      Create an organization chart in Office by using SmartArt (4)

      Note:For best results, use this option after you add all of the boxes that you want.

    • Click [Text] in the Text pane, and then type your text.

      Create an organization chart in Office by using SmartArt (5)
    • Copy text from another location or program, click [Text] in the Text pane, and then paste your text.

      Notes:

      • If the Text pane is not visible, click the control on the edge of the SmartArt graphic.

      • Create an organization chart in Office by using SmartArt (6)

What else would you like to do?

Important:This feature is not available in Outlook or in Office 2007.

  1. In your document, presentation, or spreadsheet, on the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, click SmartArt.

    Create an organization chart in Office by using SmartArt (7)
    Example of the Illustrations group on the Insert tab in PowerPoint 2016

  2. In the Choose a SmartArt Graphic gallery, click Hierarchy, click Picture Organization Chart or Circle Picture Hierarchy, and then click OK.

    Create an organization chart in Office by using SmartArt (8)

  3. To add a picture, in the box where you want to add the picture, click the picture icon, locate the folder that contains the picture that you want to use, click the picture file, and then click Insert.

  4. To enter your text, follow the instructions in step 3 of Create an organization chart.

(Video) How to Make Org Charts in PowerPoint, Word, Teams, Excel & Visio

Add a box

  1. Click the existing box that is located closest to where you want to add the new box.

  2. Under SmartArt Tools, on the Design tab, in the Create Graphic group, click the arrow next to Add Shape, and then do one of the following:

    Create an organization chart in Office by using SmartArt (9)

    Note:If you do not see the SmartArt Tools or Design tabs, make sure that you have selected the SmartArt graphic. You may have to double-click the SmartArt graphic to select it and open the Design tab.

    • To insert a box at the same level as the selected box but following it, click Add Shape After.

    • To insert a box at the same level as the selected box but before it, click Add Shape Before.

    • To insert a box one level above the selected box, click Add Shape Above.

      The new box takes the position of the selected box, and the selected box and all the boxes directly below it are each demoted one level.

    • To insert a box one level below the selected box, click Add Shape Below.

      (Video) Create an Organizational Chart in PowerPoint (FREE Organization Chart Template)

    • To add an assistant box, click Add Assistant.

      The assistant box is added above the other boxes at the same level in the SmartArt graphic, but it is displayed in the Text pane after the other boxes at the same level.

      Add Assistant is available only for organization chart layouts. It is not available for hierarchy layouts, such as Hierarchy.

Delete a box

To delete a box, click the border of the box you want to delete, and then press Delete.

Notes:

  • When you need to add a box to your relationship graphic, experiment with adding the shape before or after the selected shape to get the placement you want for the new shape.

  • To add a shape from the Text pane:

    1. At the shape level, place your cursor at the end of the text where you want to add a new shape.

    2. Press Enter, and then type the text that you want in your new shape.

    3. To add an assistant box, press Enter while an assistant box is selected in the Text pane.

  • Although you cannot automatically connect two top-level boxes with a line in the organization chart layouts, such as Organization Chart, you can imitate this look by adding a box to the top level to your SmartArt graphic and then drawing a line to connect the boxes. (On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, select Shape, select a line, and then draw a line between the two boxes.) Learn more about drawing lines by reading Draw or delete a line or connector.

  • To move a box, click the box that you want to move and then drag the box to its new location. To move or "nudge" the box in very small increments, hold down Ctrl while you press the arrow keys on your keyboard.

To show a dotted-line reporting relationship between two boxes, change the style of the line between the two boxes.

  1. Click the SmartArt graphic whose line you want to change.

  2. Right-click the line, and then click Format Shape on the shortcut menu.

  3. Click Line or Line Style, and then click the Dash type that you want.

    (Video) Create Organization Chart in 2 Minutes | Power Point Tutorials

A hanging layout affects the layout of all boxes below the selected box. Although you can use other hierarchy layouts to create an organization chart, hanging layouts are available only with organization chart layouts.

  1. Click the box in the organization chart that you want to apply a hanging layout to.

  2. Under SmartArt Tools, on the Design tab, in the Create Graphic group, click Layout, and then do one of the following:

    Create an organization chart in Office by using SmartArt (10)

    Note:If you do not see the SmartArt Tools or Design tabs, make sure that you have selected a SmartArt graphic. You may have to double-click the SmartArt graphic to select it and open the Design tab.

    • To center all of the boxes below the selected box, click Standard.

      Create an organization chart in Office by using SmartArt (11)

    • To center the selected box above the boxes below it and arrange the boxes below it horizontally with two boxes in each row, click Both.

      Create an organization chart in Office by using SmartArt (12)

    • To arrange the selected box to the right of the boxes below it and left-align the boxes below it vertically, click Left Hanging.

      Create an organization chart in Office by using SmartArt (13)

    • To arrange the selected box to the left of the boxes below it and right-align the boxes below it vertically, click Right Hanging.

      Create an organization chart in Office by using SmartArt (14)

You can apply color combinations that are derived from the theme colors to the boxes in your SmartArt graphic.

  1. Click the SmartArt graphic whose color you want to change.

  2. Under SmartArt Tools, on the Design tab, in the SmartArt Styles group, click Change Colors.

    (Video) How to make organizational chart in Microsoft Word

    Create an organization chart in Office by using SmartArt (15)

    If you don't see the SmartArt Tools or Design tabs, make sure that you've selected a SmartArt graphic.

  3. Click the color combination that you want.

Tip:When you place your pointer over a thumbnail, you can see how the colors affect your SmartArt graphic.

  1. Right-click the border of a box, and then click Format Shape on the shortcut menu.

  2. Under Fill, click Solid fill.

  3. Click Color, and then click the color that you want.

  4. To specify how much you can see through the background color, move the Transparency slider, or enter a number in the box next to the slider. You can vary the percentage of transparency from 0% (fully opaque, the default setting) to 100% (fully transparent).

A SmartArt Style is a combination of various effects, such as line style, bevel, or 3-D, that you can apply to the boxes in your SmartArt graphic to create a unique and professionally designed look.

  1. Click the SmartArt graphic whose SmartArt Style you want to change.

  2. Under SmartArt Tools, on the Design tab, in the SmartArt Styles group, click the SmartArt Style that you want.

    To see more SmartArt Styles, click the More button Create an organization chart in Office by using SmartArt (16).

    If you don't see the SmartArt Tools or Design tabs, make sure that you've selected a SmartArt graphic.

Tip:For even more effect options, such as shadow, glow, and reflection, under SmartArt Tools, on the Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, click Shape Effects, and then choose the effect that you want.

See Also

Create an organization chart (video)

Animate charts and SmartArt (video)

(Video) Word 2016: SmartArt To Create An Organization Chart

Show or hide information in a Visio organization chart

FAQs

How to create an organization chart in office by using SmartArt? ›

On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, click SmartArt. In the Choose a SmartArt Graphic gallery, click Hierarchy, click an organization chart layout (such as Organization Chart), and then click OK.

Which SmartArt category is used to create organizational chart? ›

In SmartArt, you'll find a category called Hierarchy, which has several org chart layouts. Look for one that has 'Organization Chart' in the title. When you click a chart type, you see a preview of it and a description. Pick a layout that is suitable, and click OK.

What is the easiest way to create an org chart? ›

To get started:
  1. Open a new PowerPoint document.
  2. Go to the Insert tab and click SmartArt.
  3. Navigate to the Hierarchy group and select the org chart template you need.
  4. Click into the shapes to add text.
  5. Add more shapes (or people) as needed.
Sep 25, 2022

What are the 4 types of organizational chart? ›

The four types of organizational structures are functional, multi-divisional, flat, and matrix structures.

How do you create a SmartArt? ›

On the Insert menu, select SmartArt Graphic. On the SmartArt tab of the ribbon, in the Insert SmartArt Graphic group, select at the type of graphic you want (List, Process, etc.), and then select a layout. Enter your text by doing one of the following: Click [Text] in the Text pane, and then type your text.

How to use SmartArt? ›

Insert SmartArt Diagrams
  1. Click where you want to insert the SmartArt.
  2. Click the Insert tab.
  3. Click the SmartArt button in the Illustrations group.
  4. Select a category.
  5. Select a graphic.
  6. Click OK.

What are the 3 types of organizational charts? ›

There are three main types of org charts: hierarchical, matrix and flat.

What are the 8 types of SmartArt? ›

The Choose a SmartArt Graphic gallery displays all available layouts broken into eleven different types — All, List, Process, Cycle, Hierarchy, Relationship, Matrix, Pyramid, Picture, Office.com, and Other.

What is SmartArt list the steps to add SmartArt? ›

Insert pictures in SmartArt
  1. Select your text.
  2. Select Home > Convert to SmartArt.
  3. Select More SmartArt Graphics and then select Picture.
  4. Select the SmartArt you want and select OK.
  5. To insert a picture, select the picture icon, go to where your picture is located, and then select it.
  6. Select Insert.

What program do I use to make an organizational chart? ›

Top 10 Org Chart Software
  • Lucidchart.
  • Sift.
  • SmartDraw.
  • Freshteam.
  • Visio.
  • Pingboard.
  • Creately.
  • Organimi.
Jan 19, 2023

What is the best Microsoft program to create an organizational chart? ›

Learn Visio best practices

Create an organizational chart in Visio.

What are the 3 important elements of an organizational chart? ›

These elements comprise an organizational chart and create the organizational structure itself. "Departmentation" refers to the way an organization structures its jobs to coordinate work. "Span of control" means the number of individuals who report to a manager. "Chain of command" refers to a line of authority.

What is organizational chart with Example? ›

Organizational charts graphically display an employee's hierarchical status relative to other individuals within the company. For example, an assistant director will invariably fall directly below a director on the chart, indicating that the former reports to the latter.

What are the 5 most common organizational patterns? ›

These five basic organizational models (sequence, description, cause and effect, compare and contrast, and problem and solution) may help you consider how to organize your essay or story.

What is the purpose of using SmartArt? ›

A SmartArt graphic is a visual representation of your information and ideas. You create one by choosing a layout that fits your message. Some layouts (such as organization charts and Venn diagrams) portray specific kinds of information, while others simply enhance the appearance of a bulleted list.

What is the purpose of SmartArt? ›

SmartArt allows you to visually communicate your important ideas and information. For example, you can use SmartArt graphics to depict processes, hierarchies, relationships and so on. By using SmartArt to communicate information, you can create visually-appealing diagrams that can say so much more than words alone.

What is SmartArt a good choice to easily create? ›

Easy to use, a SmartArt graphic is an excellent choice to make a list, agenda, chart, or process become more visually appealing. Available in Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, SmartArt graphics are a much better choice than, for instance, one more PowerPoint slide with bullets.

What are the SmartArt tools? ›

You can find SmartArt tools on two tabs: the Format tab and the Design tab:
  • The Design tab helps you change your SmartArt graphic's layout, to change the style, or to change the colors used in your SmartArt graphic.
  • The Format tab helps you change the shapes in your SmartArt graphic, their style, and their colors.

Can you do with SmartArt diagrams? ›

SmartArt is a tool in PowerPoint that allows you to create complicated charts and diagrams with a minimum amount of effort. SmartArt is “smart” in that is automatically adjusts for size as you work on the layout.

What is simple organizational structure? ›

Also known as the flat structure, the simple organizational structure doesn't have multiple layers of management or formal departments. Instead, a simple organizational structure usually has one owner that delegates tasks to employees directly.

What type of SmartArt shows steps in a process or timeline? ›

Insert SmartArt
SmartArt Graphic Types
ProcessShow steps in a process or timeline.
CycleShow a continual process.
HierarchyCreate an organization chart or decision tree.
RelationshipIllustrate connections.
4 more rows

Does Microsoft have a org chart template? ›

Get the template for a chart

In PowerPoint, on the File tab, click New. Choose an org chart from the search results.

What is the easiest free org chart creator? ›

There are a variety of programs you can use to create your own org chart, like SmartDraw, Lucidchart and Microsoft, but Visme is the best program to use. With a variety of org chart templates and tools to choose from, it's easy to create a stunning, easy-to-follow organizational chart in minutes.

What is the most popular organizational chart? ›

The pyramid-shaped organizational chart we referred to earlier is known as a hierarchical org chart. It's the most common type of organizational structure—the chain of command goes from the top (e.g., the CEO or manager) down (e.g., entry-level and low-level employees), and each employee has a supervisor.

How do you create an organization? ›

8 Steps to Form a Nonprofit Organization:
  1. Choose a business name.
  2. Incorporate online or by phone with incorporate.com.
  3. Apply for your IRS tax exemption.
  4. Apply for a state tax exemption.
  5. Draft bylaws.
  6. Appoint directors.
  7. Hold a meeting of the board.
  8. Obtain any necessary licenses and permits.

How do I create an organizational chart for free? ›

One of the simplest ways to build an org chart is to use Organimi. Along with chart creation, this free org chart software helps users easily add custom fields to include content like number, text, links or tags.

How to add Organization Chart add in for Microsoft Office programs? ›

Click the plus sign (+) to expand the Microsoft Office folder. Click the plus sign (+) to expand the Microsoft Office PowerPoint folder. Click Organization Chart Add-in for Microsoft Office programs, and then click Run from My Computer. Click Continue to install the add–in.

What can you do with SmartArt diagrams in MS Office? ›

SmartArt is a tool in PowerPoint that allows you to create complicated charts and diagrams with a minimum amount of effort. SmartArt is “smart” in that is automatically adjusts for size as you work on the layout.

Does Office 365 have an org chart? ›

As the hub for an organization's employees, information and work tools, org charts are a perfect fit for Office 365. Currently the most popular enterprise productivity platform on the market1, Office 365 is a prime source for extracting the information that goes into org charts.

What is an organizational chart template? ›

An organizational chart template is a customizable document that allows you to build an org chart from a predefined framework. Org chart templates combine common management relationships — such as a Marketing Manager reporting to a VP of Marketing — with arrows to indicate reporting hierarchy.

What is SmartArt in Microsoft Office? ›

A SmartArt graphic is a visual representation of your information and ideas. You create one by choosing a layout that fits your message. Some layouts (such as organization charts and Venn diagrams) portray specific kinds of information, while others simply enhance the appearance of a bulleted list.

What is the benefit of using SmartArt chart? ›

Use a SmartArt graphic if you want to do any of the following: Create an organization chart. Show hierarchy, such as a decision tree. Illustrate steps or stages in a process or workflow.

Is there an org chart template in PowerPoint? ›

Add hierarchy SmartArt

Click the Insert option in the top ribbon, then click the SmartArt button. Scroll down to the Hierarchy option, then click the first option, Organizational Chart.

What are the four steps for creating a chart in PowerPoint? ›

To create a simple chart from scratch in PowerPoint, click Insert > Chart and pick the chart you want. On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, click Chart. In the Insert Chart dialog box, click the arrows to scroll through the chart types. Select the type of chart that you want and then click OK.

What is the best free program to make an organizational chart? ›

There are a variety of programs you can use to create your own org chart, like SmartDraw, Lucidchart and Microsoft, but Visme is the best program to use. With a variety of org chart templates and tools to choose from, it's easy to create a stunning, easy-to-follow organizational chart in minutes.

How to add organization chart add in for Microsoft Office programs? ›

Click the plus sign (+) to expand the Microsoft Office folder. Click the plus sign (+) to expand the Microsoft Office PowerPoint folder. Click Organization Chart Add-in for Microsoft Office programs, and then click Run from My Computer. Click Continue to install the add–in.

Videos

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2. How to Make an Organizational Chart in Excel - Tutorial
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4. How to Create an Organization Chart in Word 2016
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5. How to make an organization chart with pictures in Microsoft Word 2016
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