This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the ConceptDraw site you are agreeing to our Use of Site Cookies.

Basic Flowchart Symbols and Meaning

Flowcharts are the best for visually representation the business processes and the flow of a custom-order process through various departments within an organization. ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with Flowcharts solution offers the full set of predesigned basic flowchart symbols which are gathered at two libraries: Flowchart and Flowcharts Rapid Draw. Among them are: process, terminator, decision, data, document, display, manual loop, and many other specific symbols. The meaning for each symbol offered by ConceptDraw gives the presentation about their proposed use in professional Flowcharts for business and technical processes, software algorithms, well-developed structures of web sites, Workflow diagrams, Process flow diagram and correlation in developing on-line instructional projects or business process system. Use of ready flow chart symbols in diagrams is incredibly useful - you need simply drag desired from the libraries to your document and arrange them in required order. There are a few serious alternatives to Visio for Mac, one of them is ConceptDraw PRO. It is one of the main contender with the most similar features and capabilities.
How to Build a Flowchart
How to Build a Flowchart

Business Process Flowchart Symbols

Business process modeling is known in the corporate world as an excellent tool which can speak. Business process flowcharts, diagrams and maps are used to define the business processes in terms of inputs and outputs, to visually represent and effectively explain complex business processes of an enterprise, and also showcase decisions on a single piece of paper. The process of business process mapping supposes the use of special business process flowchart symbols predefined by Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN) and taking their roots from the data processing diagrams and programming flow charts. In other words the BPMN standard notation is a common language used for business process design and implementation, that guarantees a clarity of designed Business Process Flowcharts for all business analysts, technical developers and business managers. The ability to create professionally-looking Business Process flowcharts, maps and diagrams, is provided by powerful ConceptDraw PRO software and the Business Process Mapping solution included to ConceptDraw Solution Park.
The vector stencils library "HR flowchart" contains 62 flowchart symbols.
Use it to draw your HR flowcharts, workflow diagrams and process charts with the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software.
The flow chart symbols library "HR flowchart" is included in the HR Flowcharts solution from the Management area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
Annotation
Annotation, annotation,
Card
Card, card,
Check / audit (diamond)
Check / audit (diamond), check, audit,
Check / audit (square)
Check / audit (square), check, audit,
Collate
Collate, collate,
Comment / note symbol (brace)
Comment / note symbol (brace), brace callout, comment, note,
Communication link
Communication link, communication link,
Compare (diamond)
Compare (diamond), compare,
Compare (square)
Compare (square), compare,
Completed form
Completed form, completed form, document,
Concurrency symbol (fork / join)
Concurrency symbol (fork / join), concurrency symbol,
Conditional selector
Conditional selector, conditional selector,
Control transfer
Control transfer, control transfer,
Data input / output
Data input / output, data input, data output,
Database
Database, database,
Decision
Decision, decision,
Decision indicator - No
Decision indicator - No, decision indicator, no,
Decision indicator - Yes
Decision indicator - Yes, decision indicator, yes,
Delay
Delay, delay,
Direct access storage
Direct access storage, direct access storage,
Disk storage
Disk storage, disk storage,
Display
Display, display,
Divided process (table view)
Divided process (table view), divided process,
Document
Document, document,
Entity (rounded)
Entity (rounded), entity,
Event
Event, event,
Extract
Extract, extract, part, device,
Flow line
Flow line, flow line, arrow, connector,
Internal storage
Internal storage, internal storage,
Junction symbol
Junction symbol, junction symbol,
Lined document
Lined document, lined document,
Lined / shaded process
Lined / shaded process, lined process, shaded process,
Loop limit
Loop limit, loop limit,
Manual file
Manual file, manual file,
Manual input
Manual input, manual input,
Manual operation
Manual operation, manual operation,
Merge
Merge, merge,
Multi document
Multi document, multi document,
Multi process
Multi process, multi process,
Off-page reference - arrow
Off-page reference - arrow, off-page reference,
Off-page reference - incoming
Off-page reference - incoming, off-page reference,
Off-page reference - outgoing
Off-page reference - outgoing, off-page reference,
On-page reference/ Inspection point
On-page reference/ Inspection point, on-page reference, inspection point,
Or
Or, or,
Page
Page, page,
Paper tape
Paper tape, paper tape,
Predefined process
Predefined process, subroutine, predefined process,
Prepare conditional
Prepare conditional, preparation, prepare conditional,
Process step
Process step, process step,
Reference point
Reference point, reference point,
Sequential access storage
Sequential access storage, sequential access storage,
Sort
Sort, sort,
Start (circle)
Start (circle), start,
Start (ellipse)
Start (ellipse), start,
Stickman pictogram
Stickman pictogram, stickman pictogram,
Stored data
Stored data, stored data,
Summary
Summary, summary,
Tagged document
Tagged document, tagged document, document,
Tagged process
Tagged process, tagged process,
Terminal point
Terminal point, terminal point,
Title block
Title block, title block,
Torso pictogram
Torso pictogram, torso pictogram,
The vector stencils library "Sales flowchart" contains 62 sales process flow chart symbols.
Use these flow chart icon set to draw your sales flowcharts, workflow diagrams and process charts with the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software.
The sales process flowchart symbols library "Sales flowchart" is included in the Sales Flowcharts solution from the Marketing area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
Annotation
Annotation, annotation,
Card
Card, card,
Check / audit (diamond)
Check / audit (diamond), check, audit,
Check / audit (square)
Check / audit (square), check, audit,
Collate
Collate, collate,
Comment / note symbol (brace)
Comment / note symbol (brace), brace callout, comment, note,
Communication link
Communication link, communication link,
Compare (diamond)
Compare (diamond), compare,
Compare (square)
Compare (square), compare,
Completed form
Completed form, completed form, document,
Concurrency symbol (fork / join)
Concurrency symbol (fork / join), concurrency symbol,
Conditional selector
Conditional selector, conditional selector,
Control transfer
Control transfer, control transfer,
Database
Database, database,
Data input / output
Data input / output, data input, data output,
Decision
Decision, decision,
Decision indicator - No
Decision indicator - No, decision indicator, no,
Decision indicator - Yes
Decision indicator - Yes, decision indicator, yes,
Delay
Delay, delay,
Direct access storage
Direct access storage, direct access storage,
Disk storage
Disk storage, disk storage,
Display
Display, display,
Divided process (table view)
Divided process (table view), divided process,
Document
Document, document,
Entity (rounded)
Entity (rounded), entity,
Event
Event, event,
Extract
Extract, extract, part, device,
Flow line
Flow line, flow line, arrow, connector,
Internal storage
Internal storage, internal storage,
Junction symbol
Junction symbol, junction symbol,
Lined document
Lined document, lined document,
Lined / shaded process
Lined / shaded process, lined process, shaded process,
Loop limit
Loop limit, loop limit,
Manual file
Manual file, manual file,
Manual input
Manual input, manual input,
Manual operation
Manual operation, manual operation,
Merge
Merge, merge,
Multi document
Multi document, multi document,
Multi process
Multi process, multi process,
Off-page reference - arrow
Off-page reference - arrow, off-page reference,
Off-page reference - incoming
Off-page reference - incoming, off-page reference,
Off-page reference - outgoing
Off-page reference - outgoing, off-page reference,
On-page reference/ Inspection point
On-page reference/ Inspection point, on-page reference, inspection point,
Or
Or, or,
Page
Page, page,
Paper tape
Paper tape, paper tape,
Predefined process
Predefined process, subroutine, predefined process,
Prepare conditional
Prepare conditional, preparation, prepare conditional,
Process step
Process step, process step,
Reference point
Reference point, reference point,
Sequential access storage
Sequential access storage, sequential access storage,
Sort
Sort, sort,
Start (circle)
Start (circle), start,
Start (ellipse)
Start (ellipse), start,
Stickman pictogram
Stickman pictogram, stickman pictogram,
Stored data
Stored data, stored data,
Summary
Summary, summary,
Tagged document
Tagged document, tagged document, document,
Tagged process
Tagged process, tagged process,
Terminal point
Terminal point, terminal point,
Title block
Title block, title block,
Torso pictogram
Torso pictogram, torso pictogram,
"Classic TQM Tools ...
Flow Charts Pictures, symbols or text coupled with lines, arrows on lines show direction of flow. Flowcharting enables
modeling of processes; problems/ opportunities and decision points etc. It develops a common understanding of a process by those in
volved." [whaqualitycenter.org/ Portals/ 0/ Tools%20 to%20 Use/ Classic%20 Quality%20 Tools/ Classic%20 TQM%20 Tools%20 R%20 2-12.pdf]
The vector stencils library TQM diagrams contains 58 symbols for drawing total quality management (TQM) flow charts using the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software.
The example "Design elements - TQM diagram" is included in the Total Quality Management (TQM) Diagrams solution from the Quality area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
TQM flow chart symbols
TQM flow chart symbols, work flow loop, transportation, system support, system function, system database, store, storage, storage, selectable process, refinement, procedure, organization function, operation, inspection, operation, off-page reference, multi in/out decision, multi-input, move, metric, issue, interrupt, inspection, measurement, inspection, inbound goods, force-field analysis, fish frame, cause-and-effect, fishbone, feedback arrow, fabrication, external process, external organization, external control, effect, delay, decision, connector, connected issues, cause, category, X-function, 2-part metric, two-part metric, 2-part function, two-part function,
The vector stencils library "HR flowchart" contains 62 flowchart symbols.
Use it to draw your HR flowcharts, workflow diagrams and process charts with the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software.
The flow chart symbols library "HR flowchart" is included in the HR Flowcharts solution from the Management area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
Annotation
Annotation, annotation,
Card
Card, card,
Check / audit (diamond)
Check / audit (diamond), check, audit,
Check / audit (square)
Check / audit (square), check, audit,
Collate
Collate, collate,
Comment / note symbol (brace)
Comment / note symbol (brace), brace callout, comment, note,
Communication link
Communication link, communication link,
Compare (diamond)
Compare (diamond), compare,
Compare (square)
Compare (square), compare,
Completed form
Completed form, completed form, document,
Concurrency symbol (fork / join)
Concurrency symbol (fork / join), concurrency symbol,
Conditional selector
Conditional selector, conditional selector,
Control transfer
Control transfer, control transfer,
Data input / output
Data input / output, data input, data output,
Database
Database, database,
Decision
Decision, decision,
Decision indicator - No
Decision indicator - No, decision indicator, no,
Decision indicator - Yes
Decision indicator - Yes, decision indicator, yes,
Delay
Delay, delay,
Direct access storage
Direct access storage, direct access storage,
Disk storage
Disk storage, disk storage,
Display
Display, display,
Divided process (table view)
Divided process (table view), divided process,
Document
Document, document,
Entity (rounded)
Entity (rounded), entity,
Event
Event, event,
Extract
Extract, extract, part, device,
Flow line
Flow line, flow line, arrow, connector,
Internal storage
Internal storage, internal storage,
Junction symbol
Junction symbol, junction symbol,
Lined document
Lined document, lined document,
Lined / shaded process
Lined / shaded process, lined process, shaded process,
Loop limit
Loop limit, loop limit,
Manual file
Manual file, manual file,
Manual input
Manual input, manual input,
Manual operation
Manual operation, manual operation,
Merge
Merge, merge,
Multi document
Multi document, multi document,
Multi process
Multi process, multi process,
Off-page reference - arrow
Off-page reference - arrow, off-page reference,
Off-page reference - incoming
Off-page reference - incoming, off-page reference,
Off-page reference - outgoing
Off-page reference - outgoing, off-page reference,
On-page reference/ Inspection point
On-page reference/ Inspection point, on-page reference, inspection point,
Or
Or, or,
Page
Page, page,
Paper tape
Paper tape, paper tape,
Predefined process
Predefined process, subroutine, predefined process,
Prepare conditional
Prepare conditional, preparation, prepare conditional,
Process step
Process step, process step,
Reference point
Reference point, reference point,
Sequential access storage
Sequential access storage, sequential access storage,
Sort
Sort, sort,
Start (circle)
Start (circle), start,
Start (ellipse)
Start (ellipse), start,
Stickman pictogram
Stickman pictogram, stickman pictogram,
Stored data
Stored data, stored data,
Summary
Summary, summary,
Tagged document
Tagged document, tagged document, document,
Tagged process
Tagged process, tagged process,
Terminal point
Terminal point, terminal point,
Title block
Title block, title block,
Torso pictogram
Torso pictogram, torso pictogram,

Flowchart

The Flowcharts are widespread in various fields and include the multitude of types. They are dedicated to representation the algorithms, processes, workflows of any complexity in a clear and intuitive format. The Flowcharts are commonly used in software development as a visual tool for illustration algorithms and logic of computer programs, in business for illustration business scenarios, in education, and so on. For drawing the Flowchart are used the special object blocks, among them rectangle or box used to represent an activity or step, rounded box or oval to depict Start / End, diamond to represent the decision point (involves the branching yes/no), circle used to represent the point of connection, parallelogram to represent the Input / Output, and some others. With ConceptDraw PRO including Flowcharts solution it is easy to create professional-looking Flowchart diagrams of any complexity and any degree of detailing. Succeed in drawing the Flowcharts using quick-start templates, predesigned samples and extensive libraries of ready-made flowchart symbols, blocks and icons.
The vector stencils library "UML activity diagrams" contains 37 symbols for the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software.
"Activity diagrams are constructed from a limited number of shapes, connected with arrows. The most important shape types:
(1) rounded rectangles represent actions;
(2) diamonds represent decisions;
(3) bars represent the start (split) or end (join) of concurrent activities;
(4) a black circle represents the start (initial state) of the workflow;
(5) an encircled black circle represents the end (final state).
Arrows run from the start towards the end and represent the order in which activities happen.
Hence they can be regarded as a form of flowchart. Typical flowchart techniques lack constructs for expressing concurrency. However, the join and split symbols in activity diagrams only resolve this for simple cases; the meaning of the model is not clear when they are arbitrarily combined with decisions or loops." [Activity diagram. Wikipedia]
The example "Design elements - UML activity diagrams" is included in the Rapid UML solution from the Software Development area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
UML activity diagram symbols
UML activity diagram symbols, time event, swimlanes, swimlane, subactivity state, send signal, receive signal, object, note, initial, frame, flow final, final, decision, merge, data store, condition, central buffer, call behavior, action,

Sales Steps

Helps to create professionally looking and detailed Sales Flowcharts with all sales steps visually represented on them. Use the Sales Flowcharts Solution for ConceptDraw PRO software to create your own Sales Flowcharts of any complexity quickly, easily and effectively to use them successfully in your work activity. ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software supplied with unique Sales Flowcharts solution from the Marketing area of ConceptDraw Solution Park allows fast and easy visualize all sales steps of the sales process on a sales process Map or sales process flowchart, and then realize them easily.
The vector stencils library "Flowchart" contains 26 symbols for drawing flowcharts.
Use these shapes to draw your flow charts in the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Flowcharts solution from the area "What is a Diagram" of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
www.conceptdraw.com/ solution-park/ diagram-flowcharts
Terminator
Terminator, terminator, start, end,
Process
Process, process, action,
Decision
Decision, decision,
Delay
Delay, delay,
Subroutine
Subroutine, subroutine, predefined process,
Data
Data, data, input, output,
Document
Document, document,
Multiple documents
Multiple documents, multiple documents,
Preparation
Preparation, preparation,
Display
Display, display,
Manual input
Manual input, manual input,
Manual loop
Manual loop, manual loop,
Loop limit
Loop limit, loop limit,
Connector
Connector, connector,
Off-page connector
Off-page connector, off page,
Off-page connector
Off-page connector, off page,
Off-page connector
Off-page connector, off page,
Off-page connector
Off-page connector, off page,
Or
Or, or,
Summing junction
Summing junction, summing junction, summing,
Collate
Collate, collate,
Sort
Sort, sort,
Merge
Merge, merge, store,
Stored data
Stored data, stored data, data storage,
Database
Database, database, disk,
Internal storage
Internal storage, internal storage,

sales process map, sales process flowchart, sales steps, sales process management Sales Flowcharts

sales process map, sales process flowchart, sales steps, sales process management
The Sales Flowcharts solution lets you create and display sales process maps, sales process workflows, sales steps, the sales process, and anything else involving sales process management.
The vector stencils library "Cross-functional flowcharts" contains 31 flow chart symbols. Use it for drawing cross-functional and deployment flowcharts the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Cross-Functional Flowcharts solution from the Business Processes area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
Swimlanes Vertical
Swimlanes Vertical, vertical swimlanes,
Swimlanes Horizontal
Swimlanes Horizontal, horizontal swimlanes,
Terminator
Terminator, terminator,
Process
Process, process,
Decision
Decision, decision,
Yes
Yes, yes,
No
No, no,
YES/NO
YES/NO, yes, no,
Data
Data, data,
Manual Operation
Manual Operation, manual operation,
Document
Document, document,
Predefined Process
Predefined Process, predefined process,
Stored Data
Stored Data, stored data,
Internal Storage
Internal Storage, internal storage,
Sequential Data
Sequential Data, sequential data,
Direct Data
Direct Data, direct data,
Manual Input
Manual Input, manual input,
Card
Card, card,
Paper Tape
Paper Tape, paper tape,
Display
Display, display,
Preparation
Preparation, preparation,
Parallel Mode
Parallel Mode, parallel mode,
Loop limit
Loop limit, loop limit,
On-page Reference
On-page Reference, on-page reference,
Off-Page Reference (Outgoing)
Off-Page Reference (Outgoing), off-page reference, outgoing,
Off-Page Reference (Incoming)
Off-Page Reference (Incoming), off-page reference, incoming,
Off-page Reference (Circle)
Off-page Reference (Circle), off-page reference, circle,
Off-Page Reference (Arrow)
Off-Page Reference (Arrow), off-page reference, arrow,
Annotation
Annotation, annotation,
Control Transfer
Control Transfer, control transfer,
Condition
Condition, condition,
The vector stencils library "Flowchart" contains 26 symbols for drawing the flow charts using the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software.
"Flowcharts are used in designing and documenting complex processes or programs. Like other types of diagrams, they help visualize what is going on and thereby help the viewer to understand a process, and perhaps also find flaws, bottlenecks, and other less-obvious features within it. There are many different types of flowcharts, and each type has its own repertoire of boxes and notational conventions. The two most common types of boxes in a flowchart are:
(1) a processing step, usually called activity, and denoted as a rectangular box;
(2) a decision, usually denoted as a diamond.
A flowchart is described as "cross-functional" when the page is divided into different swimlanes describing the control of different organizational units. A symbol appearing in a particular "lane" is within the control of that organizational unit. This technique allows the author to locate the responsibility for performing an action or making a decision correctly, showing the responsibility of each organizational unit for different parts of a single process. ...
Common alternate names include: flowchart, process flowchart, functional flowchart, process map, process chart, functional process chart, business process model, process model, process flow diagram, work flow diagram, business flow diagram. The terms "flowchart" and "flow chart" are used interchangeably." [Flowchart. Wikipedia]
The example "Design elements - Flowchart" is included in the Flowcharts solution from the area "What is a Diagram" of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
Flowchart notation
Flowchart notation, terminator, start, end, summing junction, summing, subroutine, predefined process, stored data, data storage, sort, process, action, preparation, or, off page, multiple documents, merge, store, manual loop, manual input, loop limit, internal storage, document, display, delay, decision, database, disk, data, input, output, connector, collate,
The vector stencils library "Sales flowchart" contains 62 sales process flow chart symbols.
Use these flow chart icon set to draw your sales flowcharts, workflow diagrams and process charts with the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software.
The sales process flowchart symbols library "Sales flowchart" is included in the Sales Flowcharts solution from the Marketing area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
Annotation
Annotation, annotation,
Card
Card, card,
Check / audit (diamond)
Check / audit (diamond), check, audit,
Check / audit (square)
Check / audit (square), check, audit,
Collate
Collate, collate,
Comment / note symbol (brace)
Comment / note symbol (brace), brace callout, comment, note,
Communication link
Communication link, communication link,
Compare (diamond)
Compare (diamond), compare,
Compare (square)
Compare (square), compare,
Completed form
Completed form, completed form, document,
Concurrency symbol (fork / join)
Concurrency symbol (fork / join), concurrency symbol,
Conditional selector
Conditional selector, conditional selector,
Control transfer
Control transfer, control transfer,
Database
Database, database,
Data input / output
Data input / output, data input, data output,
Decision
Decision, decision,
Decision indicator - No
Decision indicator - No, decision indicator, no,
Decision indicator - Yes
Decision indicator - Yes, decision indicator, yes,
Delay
Delay, delay,
Direct access storage
Direct access storage, direct access storage,
Disk storage
Disk storage, disk storage,
Display
Display, display,
Divided process (table view)
Divided process (table view), divided process,
Document
Document, document,
Entity (rounded)
Entity (rounded), entity,
Event
Event, event,
Extract
Extract, extract, part, device,
Flow line
Flow line, flow line, arrow, connector,
Internal storage
Internal storage, internal storage,
Junction symbol
Junction symbol, junction symbol,
Lined document
Lined document, lined document,
Lined / shaded process
Lined / shaded process, lined process, shaded process,
Loop limit
Loop limit, loop limit,
Manual file
Manual file, manual file,
Manual input
Manual input, manual input,
Manual operation
Manual operation, manual operation,
Merge
Merge, merge,
Multi document
Multi document, multi document,
Multi process
Multi process, multi process,
Off-page reference - arrow
Off-page reference - arrow, off-page reference,
Off-page reference - incoming
Off-page reference - incoming, off-page reference,
Off-page reference - outgoing
Off-page reference - outgoing, off-page reference,
On-page reference/ Inspection point
On-page reference/ Inspection point, on-page reference, inspection point,
Or
Or, or,
Page
Page, page,
Paper tape
Paper tape, paper tape,
Predefined process
Predefined process, subroutine, predefined process,
Prepare conditional
Prepare conditional, preparation, prepare conditional,
Process step
Process step, process step,
Reference point
Reference point, reference point,
Sequential access storage
Sequential access storage, sequential access storage,
Sort
Sort, sort,
Start (circle)
Start (circle), start,
Start (ellipse)
Start (ellipse), start,
Stickman pictogram
Stickman pictogram, stickman pictogram,
Stored data
Stored data, stored data,
Summary
Summary, summary,
Tagged document
Tagged document, tagged document, document,
Tagged process
Tagged process, tagged process,
Terminal point
Terminal point, terminal point,
Title block
Title block, title block,
Torso pictogram
Torso pictogram, torso pictogram,

Design Data Flow. DFD Library

Data flow diagram or DFD is a type of diagrams used for graphical representation the "flow" of data through an information system, for effective modeling its process aspects and for visualization the data processing. They are one of the best tools for clearly making an overview of the system that will be developed, for depiction in details what kinds of information will be inputted to the system and outputted from it, where they will be stored, and other details. ConceptDraw PRO software with Data Flow Diagrams solution from Software Development area of ConceptDraw Solution Park is powerful in a field of designing the DFDs. Three libraries containing 49 vector DFD shapes and symbols are offered by Data Flow Diagrams (DFD) solution. Use them to design data flow diagrams, information flow diagrams, data flowcharts, data process diagrams, structured analysis diagrams, to create the data-oriented models or process-oriented models, and so on. Pay also attention for the included collection of DFD samples, examples and built-in templates at ConceptDraw STORE.