Flowchart symbols and what they mean
Every standard flowchart symbol is in the Shapes menu, under Flowchart & diagrams — the common ones are also a single key away:
| Symbol | Meaning | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Terminator (pill) | Start or end of the process | Start / end — or Ellipse O |
| Rectangle | A step or action (a process) | Rectangle — R |
| Diamond | A decision with two or more branches | Diamond — D |
| Parallelogram | Input or output — data coming in or going out | Data (input/output) |
| Document | A document or report the process produces or reads | Document |
| Rectangle with side bars | A predefined process — a subroutine charted somewhere else | Predefined process |
| Slanted-top box | Manual input — someone types or enters data | Manual input |
| Trapezoid | A manual operation done by a person, not a system | Manual operation |
| Hexagon | Preparation — setting something up before the next step | Hexagon |
| D shape | A delay or wait | Delay |
| Cylinder | A database or other stored data | Database |
| Pentagon pointing down | An off-page connector — the flow continues on another page | Off-page link |
| Small circle | An on-page connector joining two parts of the chart | Ellipse — O |
| Arrow | The direction the process flows | Arrow — A |
| Sticky note | A comment or open question beside the chart | Sticky note — N |
Shapes for system and architecture diagrams
The same canvas works for system diagrams: a Database cylinder for data stores, a Cloud for external services or the internet, rectangles for servers and apps, an Actor stick figure (with the name underneath) for users and roles, and speech bubbles for notes. Arrows attach to every one of them, so the diagram stays connected as you rearrange it.
Connect shapes with arrows that stay attached
Press A and drag from one shape to another. When the arrow's end is over a shape, the shape's outline lights up — let go and the arrow is attached. From then on, moving, resizing or rotating either shape drags the arrow with it.
- Bends: select an arrow and drag the small dot in the middle of a segment to add a bend. Double-click a bend to remove it.
- Many points at once: click (don't drag) to start an arrow, click again for each corner, and press Enter to finish.
- Curves: set Arrow type to Curved in the style panel for smooth, rounded paths.
- Arrowheads: none, arrow, triangle, dot or bar — separately for each end.
- Straight angles: hold Shift while drawing to lock the direction to 15° steps.
Label shapes and arrows
Double-click any shape to type inside it; the text centres itself and the shape grows if the label is long. Double-click an arrow to put a label on the line itself — the usual place for “yes” and “no” after a decision. Labels take the same font, size and alignment settings as any text.
Neat or sketchy: choose a flowchart style
The hand-drawn look is the default, but every part of it is a setting. For a formal process map, select everything with Ctrl + A and change it in one go:
- Sloppiness: Architect for clean, straight lines; Artist for a light sketch; Cartoonist for a loose drawing.
- Font: hand-drawn, normal or code.
- Edges: sharp or rounded corners on rectangles and diamonds.
- Fill: hatched, cross-hatched or solid, in any colour — handy for colour-coding teams or systems.
- Stroke style: dashed or dotted lines for optional or future paths.
Line things up: grid, snap, align and distribute
Choose Grid from the background menu at the top right and switch on Snap to grid so shapes land on exact positions. Then select a row of shapes and use the Align buttons in the style panel (left, centre, right, top, middle, bottom), or Distribute to space three or more shapes evenly. The arrow keys nudge a selection by one pixel, or ten with Shift.
Export a flowchart to PNG or SVG
Open the menu and choose Export image. PNG gives you a picture at up to three times screen size for slides and chat; SVG stays sharp at any size and embeds the fonts, which makes it the better choice for documentation, wikis and print. You can export the whole board or only the selected shapes, with or without the background.
To keep the flowchart editable, use Save to file, or send a share link that opens an editable copy.
How to draw a flowchart online
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Start with an oval
Press O and click to place an ellipse, then double-click it and type “Start”.
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Add a rectangle for each step
Press R, click below the start, and double-click to type the step. Ctrl+D duplicates a step you've already styled.
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Add decisions as diamonds
Press D for a diamond wherever the process asks a yes/no question.
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Connect the shapes with arrows
Press A and drag from one shape to the next. The arrow attaches to both ends and follows them when they move.
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Label the branches
Double-click each arrow leaving a decision and type “yes” or “no”.
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Tidy the layout
Select rows or columns of shapes and use Align and Distribute in the style panel, or turn on Snap to grid.
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Export or share it
Choose Export image for a PNG or SVG, or Share a link to send an editable copy.