Complete List of Flowchart Symbols
| Symbol Name | Purpose |
| Alternate Process | Alternate process flow |
| Arrow or flow lines | Indicates the direction of the process f ... |
| Card | Data stored in a card |
| Collate | Used for collating details into a standa ... |
What are the basic symbols of flowchart?
Flowchart Symbols
- Terminator. The terminator symbol represents the starting or ending point of the system. ...
- Document. This represents a printout, such as a document or a report.
- Decision. A diamond represents a decision or branching point. ...
- Data. It represents information entering or leaving the system. ...
- On-Page Reference. ...
- Off-Page Reference. ...
- Delay or Bottleneck. ...
- Flow. ...
What are the five common flowchart symbols?
What are the five symbols of flowchart?
- The Oval or Pill Shape – represents the start/end.
- The Rectangle Shape – represents a process.
- The Parallelogram Shape – represents the input/output of the information.
- The Diamond Shape – represents a decision.
- The Arrow Shape – represents the flow of the sequence.
How to use flowchart symbols?
Flowchart Symbols in Practice
- Start with a Terminal symbol. Often this Terminal symbol has the word "START" in this. ...
- Insert a Process symbol connected by flowlines.
- Insert a Decision symbol whenever there's a choice to be made.
- Build out the rest of the flowchart using the same principles.
- End the chart with another Terminal symbol with the word "END" in it.
What are the functions of a symbol flowchart?
Flowchart Symbols. Flowcharts use special shapes to represent different types of actions or steps in a process. Lines and arrows show the sequence of the steps, and the relationships among them. These are known as flowchart symbols.
What are the 5 types of flowchart?
Different types of flowcharts serve different purposes. Some of these flowcharts include the process flowchart, the process map, the functional flowchart, business process mapping, business process modeling and notation (BPMN), and process flow diagrams (PFD).
What is the names of symbols in flowchart?
Common flowchart symbols Also known as an “Action Symbol,” this shape represents a process, action, or function. It's the most widely-used symbol in flowcharting. Also known as the “Terminator Symbol,” this symbol represents the start points, end points, and potential outcomes of a path.
What are the 8 basic symbols of flowchart?
What are the Basic Symbols of a Flowchart?Start/End Symbol. The terminator symbol marks the starting or ending point of the system. ... Multiple Documents Symbol. Represents multiple documents in the process. ... Manual Input Symbol. ... Or Symbol. ... Collate Symbol. ... Manual Loop Symbol. ... Data Storage or Stored Data Symbol. ... Display Symbol.
What are the different types of flowchart?
Other commonly used flowchart types include:PERT chart.Workflow flowchart.Swimlane diagram.Data Flow Diagram (DFD)Process Flow Diagram (PFD)Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN 2.0)Specification and Description Language Flowchart (SDL)Event-Driven Process Chain Flowchart (EPC)
What is a flowchart explain any four symbols Class 11?
Answer: A flowchart is a type of pictorial diagram that represents an algorithm, workflow or a particular process. It uses various symbols like oval, rectangle, square, diamond, etc.
What is decision symbol in flowchart?
DiamondThe decision shape is represented as a Diamond. This object is always used in a process flow to ask a question. And, the answer to the question determines the arrows coming out of the Diamond. This shape is quite unique with two arrows coming out of it.
What are the elements of flowchart?
Elements that may be included in a flowchart are a sequence of actions, materials or services entering or leaving the process (inputs and outputs), decisions that must be made, people who become involved, time involved at each step, and/or process measurements.
What is the symbol for important?
Exclamation mark symbol: used to show emphasis, importance.
What is flowchart in business?
Flowchart is a very intuitive method to describe processes. As such, in most cases, you don’t need to worry too much about the standards and rules of all the flowchart symbols. In fact, a simple flowchart, constructed with just rectangular blocks and flowlines, can already get most jobs done.
When did flow charts become standard?
Specifically, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) set standards for flowcharts and their symbols in the 1960s. Afterwards, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) adopted the ANSI symbols in 1970. In general, flowcharts flow from top to bottom and left to right. Flowchart Symbol. Name.
What does a flow line mean?
Flow lines indicate the process’ direction. Each flowline usually connects two blocks. Flowlines can be straight lines, uni-directional arrow, or both-sided arrows, representing different kinds of connections between the steps.
What is the process symbol?
Process Symbol represents a step in a process. This is the most common component of a flowchart.
What is the decision symbol?
Decision Symbol shows a step that decides the next step in a process. This is commonly a yes/no or true/false question. Input/Output Symbol indicates the process of inputting or outputting external data. Annotation Symbol indicates additional information regarding a step in a process.
What are the symbols on a flow chart?
A typical flowchart from older Computer Science textbooks may have the following kinds of symbols: Start and end symbols, represented as lozenges, ovals or rounded rectangles, usually containing the word "Start" or "End", or another phrase signaling the start or end of a process, such as "submit enquiry" or "receive product".
What do lines and arrows represent in a flowchart?
Lines and arrows show the sequence of these steps, and the relationships between them.
What is flow diagram?
Flowcharts are the ideal diagrams for visually representing business processes. For example, if you need to show the flow of a custom-order process through various departments within your organization, you can use a flowchart. This paper provides a visual representation of basic flowchart symbols and their proposed use in communicating the structure of a well-developed web site, as well as their correlation in developing on-line instructional projects. A typical flowchart from older Computer Science textbooks may have the following kinds of symbols:
What is accounting flow chart?
Accounting Flowcharts — the set of symbols found in this solution give accountants the tools they need to describe purchase orders, payments, or procurement processes.
What is a flowchart in education?
The Education flowcharts are plane and solid geometric figures, mathematical symbols, and trigonometrical functions to help create mathematical diagrams, mathematical flowchart, tape diagrams, and mathematic illustrations for scientific and educational purposes.
Why use a logistics flow chart?
Use Logistics Flow Charts for designing attractive Logistics Flow Charts and Diagrams for your enterprise, and effectively use them to make your business successful, to promote the goods and services, and to enhance the economic stability on the market.
What is cross functional flow chart?
A flowchart is described as "cross-functional" when the page is divided into different "lanes" describing the control of different organizational chart units. A symbol appearing in a particular "lane" is within the control of that organizational unit.
What does the symbol "data" mean in a flowchart?
This symbol is commonly used in flowcharts that outline software designs and can indicate the data stored within the internal memory system.
What is a flowchart?
Workflow describes the processes for how specific work should be done, and a flowchart is the diagram that outlines those processes. Within the flowchart, symbols are used to describe the steps of the workflow process.
What is a waving flag?
This symbol, shaped as a waving flag, is one of the more complex flowchart symbols and is most likely to be used in rare cases, such as mapping the processes or specific input data for CNC machines and older computers.
Why do we need a flowchart?
When embarking on a workflow process such as the development of new software, applications or documents and reports , it can sometimes be helpful to create a flowchart to help map out the processes. When creating a flowchart, common symbols can be used to represent different elements of the workflow. Depending on the complexity of the workflow and processes, the flowchart symbols used can range from commonly used to more complex and specific to the workflow processes. In this article, you will learn the common and complex flowchart symbols and their meaning.
What does the or symbol mean in a workflow?
Similar to the summing junction symbol, the or symbol is used to indicate where a workflow process takes more than one path.
What is the connector symbol in a flowchart?
Connectors are typically used in flowcharts with more complex processes, such as software or application development. 5. Decision symbol. Shaped as a rhombus, this symbol is used to indicate a question that results in a "yes" or "no" answer, as well as a possible "true" or "false" situation.
What does the cylinder symbol mean in a flowchart?
This cylinder-shaped flowchart symbol represents the data that is stored on a storage service that can allow for user searches and filters. For instance, the data need to run a real estate app can be housed within a storage service for users to search and filter results by price, location and other search criteria.
When to use flowchart symbols?
Many of these additional flowchart symbols are best utilized when mapping out a process flow diagram for apps, user flow, data processing, etc.
What is the shape of a flowchart?
Also known as an “Action Symbol,” this shape represents a process, action, or function. It’s the most widely-used symbol in flowcharting. Also known as the “Terminator Symbol,” this symbol represents the start points, end points, and potential outcomes of a path. Often contains “Start” or “End” within the shape.
What does the paper tape symbol represent?
While the paper tape symbol also represents input/output, it is outdated and no longer in common use for flowchart diagramming.
What does "yes" mean in a flowchart?
Indicates a question to be answered — usually yes/no or true/false. The flowchart path may then split off into different branches depending on the answer or consequences thereafter.
Can you upload shapes to lucidchart?
If we don’t have the shape you’re looking for, Lucidchart allows you to also upload any and all shapes you want to use in addition to our own extensive shape library. Try mapping out your process flow with Lucidchart today!
Can you use symbols in a flowchart?
While various standards for symbol usage and flowchart creation have been established, it’s okay to ignore the rules. Use the symbols in a way that makes sense to your audience. But if you use symbols in a non-standard fashion, be sure to do it consistently so your readers understand your meaning for that symbol each time they see it. If you're new to diagramming, you can refer to this guide on how to make a flowchart in Lucidchart with this handy symbols guide available as you construct a stunning flowchart!
What is a data symbol in a flow chart?
Data symbols clarify where the data your flowchart references is being stored. (You probably won’t use the paper tape symbol, but it definitely came in handy back in the day.)
What is flow chart?
As you know, flowcharts are made up of a sequence of actions, data, services, and/or materials. They illustrate where data is being input and output, where information is being stored, what decisions need to be made, and which people need to be involved. In addition the basic flowchart conventions, rules, and symbols, these intermediate flowchart symbols will help you describe your process with even more detail.
What is a rectangle in a flowchart?
A Step in the Flowcharting Process. The rectangle is your go-to symbol once you've started flowcharting. It represents any step in the process you’re diagramming and is the workhorse of the flowchart diagram. Use rectangles to capture process steps like basic tasks or actions in your process. 3.
Why do you use arrows in flowcharts?
The arrow is used to guide the viewer along their flowcharting path. And while there are many different types of arrow tips to choose from, we recommend sticking with one or two for your entire flowchart. This keeps your diagram looking clean, but also allows you to emphasize certain steps in your process.
What does the terminator symbol represent in a flowchart?
The oval, or terminator, is used to represent the start and end of a process . Use the Gliffy flowchart tool to drag and drop one of these bad boys and you've got yourself the beginning of a flowchart. Remember to use the same symbol again to show that your flowchart is complete.
What does input and output symbol mean?
Input and output symbols show where and how data is coming in and out throughout your process.
What does a single document icon mean?
Single and multiple document icons show that there are additional points of reference involved in your flowchart. You might use these to indicate items like “create an invoice” or “review testing paperwork.”
How many types of flowcharts are there?
According to Mark A. Fryman and his 2002 book Quality and Process Improvement, there are five types of flowcharts from a business perspective:
Where can flowcharts be used?
Because flowcharts are such a powerful tool, they’re used across many fields and industries. Whether it’s in education, sales and marketing, business, engineering, or manufacturing, flowcharts can be found virtually anywhere.
What is flowchart in a process?
A flowchart is the perfect way to visualize a complex process for your team. There are over 30 standardized symbols you can use to create a flowchart. These symbols can indicate anything from a process to a document or decisions that need to be made. In this article, you’ll learn what the different shapes mean, when a flowchart can be useful, and what types of flowcharts you can implement at work.
What is the termina in flowchart?
Termina or Terminator: The terminal or terminator represents the start or end points of a flowchart process.
What is flow chart?
A flowchart is a diagram that illustrates the steps, sequences, and decisions of a process or workflow. While there are many different types of flowcharts, a basic flowchart is the simplest form of a process map. It’s a powerful tool that can be used in multiple fields for planning, visualizing, documenting, and improving processes.
Why do we need a flowchart?
A flowchart allows everyone to follow the workflow, understand the tasks, and analyze the individual steps quickly and easily.
What is the Summoning Junction symbol?
Summoning junction symbol: This symbol is used to converge multiple branches back into a single process.
Complete List of Flowchart Symbols
Below table shows the complete list of flowchart symbols with their names and purpose when using in the process flow diagram.
Example of a Flowchart
Here is an example of a simple flowchart some of the frequently symbols.
Insert Flowchart in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint
Sometimes you need to insert a quick process flowchart when using Microsoft Word document or PowerPoint presentation. The best option to insert a flowchart in Microsoft Word or PowerPoint documents is to use the in-built shapes.
Flowchart Apps
Though manually creating flowcharts is easy, you also have many software applications that do the job perfectly for you. Microsoft Visio is the best flowchart application available with both web and desktop access. However, Visio is not part of Microsoft 365 Personal subscription.
Flowchart Symbols in PDF
You can bookmark this page in your browser, if you want to remember the above flowchart symbols. However, you can also download the flowchart symbols in PDF format for keeping it offline. Below is the list of all flowchart symbols in an image which you can also use for offline reference.
What is a Flowchart?
A flowchart is a graphical representations of steps. It was originated from computer science as a tool for representing algorithms and programming logic but had extended to use in all other kinds of processes. Nowadays, flowcharts play an extremely important role in displaying information and assisting reasoning. They help us visualize complex processes, or make explicit the structure of problems and tasks. A flowchart can also be used to define a process or project to be implemented.
Why is a flowchart important?
Nowadays, flowcharts play an extremely important role in displaying information and assisting reasoning. They help us visualize complex processes, or make explicit the structure of problems and tasks. A flowchart can also be used to define a process or project to be implemented.
What does the terminator symbol represent?
The terminator symbol represents the starting or ending point of the system.
What is a step that does not add value to the internal or external customer?
It identifies steps that do not add value to the internal or external customer, including delays; need less storage and transportation; unnecessary work, duplication, and added expense; breakdowns in communication.
