Create an organization chart in Office by using SmartArt (2024)

Skip to main content

Microsoft

Support

Support

Sign in

Sign in with Microsoft

Sign in or create an account.

Hello,

Select a different account.

You have multiple accounts

Choose the account you want to sign in with.

PowerPoint

Pictures, charts, and tables

Charts and pictures

Charts and pictures

Create an organization chart in Office by using SmartArt

Excel for Microsoft 365 Word for Microsoft 365 Outlook for Microsoft 365 PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 Excel 2021 Word 2021 Outlook 2021 PowerPoint 2021 Excel 2019 Word 2019 Outlook 2019 PowerPoint 2019 Excel 2016 Word 2016 Outlook 2016 PowerPoint 2016 Excel 2013 Word 2013 Outlook 2013 PowerPoint 2013 More...Less

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 (2)

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 (3)
    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 (4)

  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 (5)

      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 (6)
    • 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 (7)

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 (8)
    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 (9)

  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.

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 (10)

    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.

    • 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.

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 (11)

    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 (12)

    • 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 (13)

    • 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 (14)

    • 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 (15)

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.

    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.

  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 (17).

    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)

Show or hide information in a Visio organization chart

Need more help?

Want more options?

Discover Community

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Create an organization chart in Office by using SmartArt (18)

Microsoft 365 subscription benefits

Create an organization chart in Office by using SmartArt (19)

Microsoft 365 training

Create an organization chart in Office by using SmartArt (20)

Microsoft security

Create an organization chart in Office by using SmartArt (21)

Accessibility center

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.

Create an organization chart in Office by using SmartArt (22)

Ask the Microsoft Community

Create an organization chart in Office by using SmartArt (23)

Microsoft Tech Community

Thank you for your feedback!

×

Create an organization chart in Office by using SmartArt (2024)

FAQs

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. To enter your text, do one of the following: Click in a box in the SmartArt graphic, and then type your text.

Which SmartArt type can you create an 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.

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

The Organization Chart template in both Visio for the web and Visio in Microsoft 365 is a great starting place.

How do you create an organizational chart 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.

What is the easiest program to create an organizational chart? ›

Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook all use the same SmartArt tool as Word and so you can use those programs to create org charts, as well. Outside of the Microsoft Office family, you can use Visio, LucidChart, OrgPlus, OrgWeaver, Pingboard, OrgChart4U, and others.

How do I make an organizational chart in Microsoft Office? ›

Select File > New. Select Organization Chart > Create. Select Information that I enter using the wizard, and select Next. Select the type of file you want to enter data into, type in a path and name, and select Next.

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.

Which tool provides the easiest way to create and insert an organizational chart? ›

10 Best Org Chart Tools Shortlist
  1. Deel — Best for org charts with employee profiles tagged according to skills and expertise.
  2. Sift — Best for dynamic org charts that can be built intuitively.
  3. Lucidchart — Best for quickly creating org charts from your existing employee data.
Mar 19, 2024

What is the best app to create an organizational chart? ›

The best org chart software at a glance
CategoryBest for
OrganimiDedicated org chart softwareStartups
FactorialHR softwareStreamlining your workflow
CreatelyFlowchart and diagram softwareRemote teams
PingboardHR software (focus on onboarding)Growing companies
3 more rows
Dec 12, 2023

What are the 4 types of organizational charts? ›

Four Types of Organizational Charts: Functional Top-Down, Flat, Divisional, and Matrix.

What is the easiest way to do an org chart in PowerPoint? ›

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), then click OK.

Is there an org chart in Office 365? ›

View your Org Chart in Microsoft 365 & Third-Party Tools

Access your org chart by clicking on your name in the chat panel and then selecting "Organization" in the top tab. Explore the hierarchical structure of your organization and discover reporting relationships.

How do I create an organization in Office 365? ›

Create a Microsoft organizational account
  1. Log in to the Microsoft Azure portal.
  2. From the left navigation menu, select the “Azure Active Directory -> Users and groups -> All users” menu item.
  3. Click the “New user” button and create a new Microsoft organizational account by entering a name and email address.
Jul 26, 2023

What type of chart is an organizational chart? ›

An organizational chart is a diagram that visually conveys a company's internal structure by detailing the roles, responsibilities, and relationships between individuals within an entity. It is one way to visualize a bureaucracy.

What type of SmartArt graphic would best convey a company organization chart? ›

What to consider when choosing a layout
To do thisUse this type
Show a continual process.Cycle
Create an organization chart.Hierarchy
Show a decision tree.Hierarchy
Illustrate connections.Relationship
5 more rows

Which SmartArt category can you use to create the information? ›

Answer: SmartArt graphics can be used to create informational graphics out of bullet points.

How do I create an organizational chart in PowerPoint? ›

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), then click OK.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Trent Wehner

Last Updated:

Views: 6616

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (56 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Trent Wehner

Birthday: 1993-03-14

Address: 872 Kevin Squares, New Codyville, AK 01785-0416

Phone: +18698800304764

Job: Senior Farming Developer

Hobby: Paintball, Calligraphy, Hunting, Flying disc, Lapidary, Rafting, Inline skating

Introduction: My name is Trent Wehner, I am a talented, brainy, zealous, light, funny, gleaming, attractive person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.