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

Basic of Flowchart: Meaning and Symbols

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 DIAGRAM 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 DIAGRAM. 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 DIAGRAM software and the Business Process Mapping solution included to ConceptDraw Solution Park.
This audit flowchart sample was created on the base of the figure from the website of The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR).
"Audit Process.
There are many steps in the audit process and during a number of these steps there is substantial opportunity to communicate with the audit staff to ask questions and participate in the audit process. ... a flow chart providing a visual picture of the sequence of events that occur in the audit process." [dir.ca.gov/ osip/ AuditUnit/ AuditProcess.html]
The flowchart example "Audit process" was created using the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Audit Flowcharts solution from the Finance and Accounting area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
www.conceptdraw.com/ solution-park/ finance-audit-flowcharts
Audit flowchart
Audit flowchart, terminator, tagged process, tagged document, subroutine, predefined process, stored data, data storage, decision, data transmission,
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,

Flowchart Design
Flowchart Symbols, Shapes, Stencils and Icons

A flowchart is a type of diagram which represents an algorithm, process or workflow, displays the steps as boxes of various kinds and depicts their order by connecting them with arrows. Any business graphic document will be more colorful and understandable if will use professional-looking and visual diagrams and flowcharts. Flowchart design gives versatile presenting and explaining of the process. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM flowchart software enhanced with Flowcharts solution helps effectively make Flowchart Design. Use of predesigned flowchart symbols and bright color palette offers a fresh view and favorably distinguishes the flowcharts designed in ConceptDraw DIAGRAM from the black and white flowcharts on a paper. Preferably to use no more than three or four colors and apply identical for the same shape types. The best flowchart design can be achieved by starting with Flowchart template, or any of suitable ready examples or samples offered in ConceptDraw STORE, open one of them and enter the proper text into each Flowchart shape. Each symbol of the flowchart has a definition that can't be changed. This means that all flowcharts shapes can be grouped in according to their meaning. Users with ConceptDraw DIAGRAM flowchart software can style groups of symbols with close definitions by color sets chosen from complementary palette. Almost all workflows can be depicted as a flowchart. Colored diagrams are more light for perception of the certain information, this is part of flowchart design. Bright colors need to be used in the key points of Decision symbols, to focus attention on their importance for whole process flow.
Business Process Modeling with ConceptDraw
Business Process Modeling with ConceptDraw

Flowchart Programming Project. Flowchart Examples

Create you own flow charts of process-driven software applications using the ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Cross-Functional Flowcharts solution from the Business Processes area of ConceptDraw Solution Park. The programming project flow chart example shows the logical process of execution.

process flow diagram, process flow chart Process Flowcharts

process flow diagram, process flow chart
This solution extends ConceptDraw DIAGRAM software with templates, samples, and library of vector shapes for drawing the Process Flowcharts.
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,
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,

Create Flowchart - Making a Flowchart

The Flowchart is a very popular type of diagram, it is widely used for analyzing, designing, managing and visualizing the business and technical processes, various software algorithms. But how to create Flowchart quick and easy? Flowcharts solution from the Diagrams area of ConceptDraw Solution Park helps you to design the professional looking Flowchart Diagrams quick and easy using the ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software.
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,

Flow Chart Symbols

The Flowcharts are incredibly useful and popular tool used in science, business, software development, analytics, engineering, marketing, manufacturing, administration, architecture, government, politics, and many other fields thanks to a variety of existing types of flowcharts. A Flowchart is a visual graphical representation of the process, algorithm, or the set of steps taken for problem's solution. Widely used for designing, visualizing and documenting simple and complex processes and programs, they effectively help to understand the process and to find easier the flaws if they are. Each flowchart type supposes the use of its own set of notations for drawing corresponding diagram, which includes the symbols of process, decision, data, document, data base, termination, initiation processes, processing loops, conditions, etc. It is easily design a Flowchart using the special professional flowchart maker - ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagram software with numerous predesigned flow chart symbols grouped in libraries of Flowcharts solution from ConceptDraw Solution Park.

Flowchart Software

Flowchart is a simple diagram, map or graphical schematic representation the sequence of actions within a process. It is ideal for displaying how a process currently flows or can function ideally. The Flowcharts let define the steps and boundaries of a process, uncover problems or miscommunications. The Flowcharts are widely used in education, software development, business, economics, thanks to their visuality they are ideal for presentations, reports, for using on conferences to help the audience comprehend the content better, or easy find flaws in a process flow diagrams. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM is professional flowcharts software and feature-rich flowchart maker, which supports Mac OS X and Windows. It contains at ConceptDraw Solution Park a rich set of stencils and professional flowchart symbols for design. It lets create simply professional-looking Flowcharts based on thousand free flowchart templates, colored symbols and examples. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM is a 3 times cheaper alternative to MS Visio available for both Mac and PC. It’s is another full featured business and technical diagramming application that can easily take care of Visio files within OS X. Another bonus with ConceptDraw DIAGRAM – it's cross-platform. You can work on a document in both OS X and Windows, skipping Visio entirely.
How to Build a Flowchart
How to Build a Flowchart

Easy Flowchart Software

The most effective and easiest way to design a Flowchart is to use an easy Flowchart software - ConceptDraw DIAGRAM. It is enhanced with the special Flowcharts solution from the Diagrams area of ConceptDraw Solution Park. This software allows designing as simple as complex processes in a moment. And even drawing multiple flowcharts simultaneously on the separate pages of one document or different ones is also possible.

cross-functional flowchart template, flowchart, example business process flow Cross-Functional Flowcharts

cross-functional flowchart template, flowchart, example business process flow
The Cross-Functional Flowcharts solution extends ConceptDraw DIAGRAM software with cross functional flowchart examples, samples, and libraries of cross functional flow chart vector design elements and CH-1 symbols for easy drawing professional-looking and illustrative Cross Functional Flowchart, Cross Functional Diagram, CH-1 Diagram, Process Flowchart, Deployment Flowchart, Opportunity Flowchart, Swimlane Process Mapping Diagram, or Visio Cross Functional Flowchart for planning and further analyzing, optimizing and improvement processes. The use of included pre-made cross functional flowchart template, opportunity flowchart template, and swimlane process map template, greatly easier designing your Cross-functional flowcharts.

Easy Flowchart Maker Free

ConceptDraw DIAGRAM easy Flowchart maker free effectively helps in drawing Flowcharts in short terms and without efforts. The included Flowcharts solution offers all needed drawing tools for designing a truly professional-looking Flowchart.

Process Flow Chart Symbols

Process Flow Chart is a visual diagram which shows the processes and relationships between the major components in a system, and uses for this the special process flow chart symbols: special shapes to represent different types of actions and process steps, lines and arrows to represent relationships and sequence of steps. It often named process flow diagram, it use colored flowchart symbols. It is incredibly convenient to use the ConceptDraw DIAGRAM software extended with Flowcharts Solution from the "Diagrams" Area of ConceptDraw Solution Park for designing professional looking Process Flow Charts.

Create your own flow charts of data processing systems using the ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Cross-Functional Flowcharts solution from the Business Processes area of ConceptDraw Solution Park. This is a flowchart of a data processing system combining manual and computerized processing to handle accounts receivable, billing, and general ledger.

How to Create Cisco Network Diagram

The Cisco Network Diagrams Solution from the Computer and Networks area of ConceptDraw Solution Park helps you to create the Cisco Network Diagrams quick and easy using the ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software. The Cisco Network Diagrams Solution contains 14 libraries with 450 ready-to-use predesigned vector objects.