Do you need to create an organizational chart for your company but aren’t sure where to begin? While Microsoft PowerPoint doesn’t have a variety of chart tools, you can design some org charts using the tool.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to create organizational charts in PowerPoint.
Want to save time when creating your company’s internal structure? Venngage’s Organizational Chart Maker includes easy-to-use templates that anyone can design with.
Click to jump ahead:
- What is an org chart and why is it important?
- How to create an organization chart in PowerPoint?
- The pros and cons of creating an organizational chart in PowerPoint
- How to create better organizational charts with Venngage
What is an org chart and why is it important?
An organizational chart is a diagram that visualizes the organizational structure or hierarchy of a company, agency, or nonprofit.
It typically shows individuals in their respective roles within an organization and reporting relationships to managers or supervisors. Primarily, an organization uses these charts for the following reasons:
- To help employees visualize where they fit into an organizational hierarchy;
- To communicate organizational goals and initiatives from top management down through the ranks; and
- To assist human resources departments with job placement decisions.
For these charts to be effective, they must accurately reflect the structure or hierarchy of an organization.
If you are creating an organizational chart for your company, this will mean using organizational terminology that everyone in your company understands.
On the other hand, if you’re making a chart for another company or client, talk to them first so you can utilize their terminology accurately.
When done right, org charts are incredibly helpful tools for communicating organizational goals and initiatives from top management down through the ranks.
They can even be used to create mind maps, which are a useful tool for organizing your thoughts into a central subject and brainstorming fresh and related ideas that radiate out from the center. Mind maps help you to visually explain your ideas to others.
The steps below will walk you through creating org charts, a SmartArt graphic, in Microsoft PowerPoint.
How to create an organization chart in PowerPoint?
Creating an org chart in Microsoft PowerPoint is simple. The built-in SmartArt tools allows you to add shapes and format other elements in your chart. The following are the steps to create an org chart as a SmartArt graphic:
- Create an organizational chart
Open a blank document in Microsoft PowerPoint and click SmartArt under the Design tab.
You should see a popup window where you can select a SmartArt graphic. There are several templates to pick from under Hierarchy.
By selecting OK, you can insert the org chart template into the canvas.
- Change the font style and size
Large sans serif fonts are commonly used because they are supposed to be read by everyone. If your org chart becomes too crowded, you may need to reduce the font size of some names while keeping legibility.
- Edit the organization chart
The SmartArt Design tab gives you options to insert a new shape or add more shapes, alter the title position, font color, and name order, among other things.
- Insert pictures or icons into an org chart in PowerPoint
SmartArt Design also has a layout that allows you to put pictures or icons in your organization chart.
If there are any corporations engaged, you may include their logos right next to their names. Corporate logos are one of the most significant parts of org charts since they make them look more professional.
After you’ve finished changing your org charts, go to the File tab at the top of the page and select Save or Save As… to save the file.
You’ve managed to create a PowerPoint organization chart.
The pros and cons of creating an organizational chart in PowerPoint
For organizational design specialists, creating an org chart in PowerPoint can feel like a simplistic method.
PowerPoint can be used to create org charts, by inserting Shapes, Text Boxes, Lines and Connection Points in each organizational layer. But the process is very manual and you are limited by the shapes available in PowerPoint.
Due to the various font types and styles utilized in the program, some people find it difficult to create an org chart in PowerPoint, which can be incompatible with their business requirements.
And, without individually changing each item on the presentation slide, an org chart created in PowerPoint cannot be automatically updated when your organization structure changes.
Additionally, most printers do not accept PowerPoint files, you will need to convert the chart to a picture format before printing them.
Pros of creating an org chart
- Availability: The application comes with a number of simple PowerPoint templates.
- Flexibility: The structure of the organization can be manually changed at any time.
- Scalability: The organizational structure’s size can be changed without compromising legibility.
Cons of creating an org chart
- You need to purchase the Microsoft Office Suite before you even begin creating your chart.
- You either need to have experience using PowerPoint or spend time learning the software.
- If you don’t install the organizational shape correctly, some organizational layers may link erroneously or appear on more than one organizational layer.
- Instead of using PowerPoint’s shapes, you’ll have to do most of the organizational design work by hand.
Read: 11 Types of Charts and How Businesses Use Them
How to create better organizational charts with Venngage
Making PowerPoint organizational charts in Venngage is a seamless process. The platform’s templates are designed by experts for non-designers, like the example below:
You don’t need to download any software to use the Venngage editor because it’s available online. You can register for free and begin creating immediately.
To make an organization chart on Venngage, follow these simple steps below:
- Sign up for a Venngage account.
- On the left-side menu pane, under Categories, click on Diagrams, then Organizational Chart.
- Choose a template from the options available that best suits your organizational structure and click Create to get started.
Upgrade to a Venngage for Business account to access’ My Brand Kit, which lets you add your company’s logo, color palette, and fonts to all your designs with a single click.
A business account also includes the real-time collaboration feature, so you can invite members of your team to work simultaneously on a project.
Now that you know how to create an organizational chart in PowerPoint, start creating an org chart with these templates.
How to make an organizational chart for PowerPoint in Venngage
Venngage allows you to download your new chart with an upgraded account.
Once you are done creating your chart, save the file on your computer by clicking Download in the menu. You can choose from a variety of download formats, including PNG, PNG HD, PDF, or as an Interactive PDF.
You can also export your chart as a PowerPoint presentation.
Make better org charts with Venngage templates
An org chart is a simple yet effective tool for understanding your company’s structure and improving your potential for growth.
It will also provide more accurate reporting and clarity on who is responsible for what, allowing for quicker decision-making.
While Microsoft PowerPoint provides basic presentation resources, Venngage has a far larger library of templates and features, including a plethora of free icons and fonts, as well as a user-friendly interface that even permits real-time collaboration.
These make Venngage the design solution that better accommodates making professional, detail-oriented, and creative presentations. Sign up for the latest templates that you can use for your organizational charts moving forward!