Flowchart Sy

mbols Defined
Process / Operation Symbols

NAME
SYMBOL DESCRIPTION
(ALIAS)

Show a Process or action step. This is the most

Process common symbol in both process flowcharts and
process maps.

A Predefined Process symbol is a marker for another

process step or series of process flow steps that are
formally defined elsewhere. This shape commonly
Predefined depicts sub-processes (or subroutines in programming
Process flowcharts). If the sub-process is considered "known"
(Subroutine) but not actually defined in a process procedure, work
instruction, or some other process flowchart or
documentation, then it is best not to use this symbol
since it implies a formally defined process.

As the shape name suggests, this flowchart symbol is

Alternate used when the process flow step is an alternate to the
Process normal process step. Flow lines into an alternate
process flow step are typically dashed.
 NAME
SYMBOL DESCRIPTION
(ALIAS)

The Delay flowchart symbol depicts any waiting period

Delay that is part of a process. Delay shapes are common in
process mapping.

As the names states, any process step that is a

Preparation Preparation process flow step, such as a set-up
operation.

Manual Operations flowchart shapes show which

process steps are not automated. In data processing
Manual flowcharts, this data flow shape indicates a looping
Operation operation along with a loop limit symbol (which is not
supported by Microsoft Office, but a Manual Operation
symbol rotated 180 will do the trick.)

Branching and Control of Flow Symbols

NAME
SYMBOL DESCRIPTION
(ALIAS)

Flow Line
Flow line connectors show the direction that the
(Arrow,
process flows.
Connector)

Terminators show the start and stop points in a

Terminator
process. When used as a Start symbol,
(Terminal Point,
terminators depict a trigger action that sets the
Oval)
process flow into motion.
 NAME
SYMBOL DESCRIPTION
(ALIAS)

Indicates a question or branch in the process flow.

Decision Typically, a Decision flowchart shape is used
when there are 2 options (Yes/No, No/No-Go, etc.)

Flowchart: In flowcharts, this symbol is typically

small and is used as a Connector to show a jump
from one point in the process flow to another.
Connectors are usually labeled with capital letters
(A, B, AA) to show matching jump points. They are
handy for avoiding flow lines that cross other
shapes and flow lines. They are also handy for
jumping to and from a sub-processes defined in a
Connector
separate area than the main flowchart.
(Inspection)
Process Mapping: In process maps, this symbol
is full sized and shows an Inspection point in the
process flow.

[Just to confuse things further, some people will

use a circle to indicate an operation and a square
to indicate an inspection. That's why it's important
to include a symbol key in the flowchart.]

Off-Page Connector shows continuation of a

process flowchart onto another page. When using
them in conjunction with Connectors, it's best to
Off-Page differentiate the labels, e.g. use numbers for Off-
Connector Page Connectors and capital letters for
Connectors. In actual practice, most flowcharts just
use the Connect shape for both on-page and off-
page references.
 NAME
SYMBOL DESCRIPTION
(ALIAS)

Flowchart: Shows the merging of multiple

Merge processes or information into one.
(Storage) Process Mapping: commonly indicates storage of
raw materials.

Flowchart: Shows when a process splits into

parallel paths. Also commonly indicates a
Extract
Measurement, with a capital 'M' inside the symbol.
(Measurement)
Process Mapping: commonly indicates storage of
finished goods.

The logical Or symbol shows when a process

diverges - usually for more than 2 branches. When
Or using this symbol, it is important to label the out-
going flow lines to indicate the criteria to follow
each branch.

The logical Summing Junction flowchart shape is

shows when multiple branches converge into a
single process. The merge symbol is more
Summing
common for this use, though. This symbol and the
Junction
Or symbol are really more relevant in data
processing flow diagrams than in process
flowcharts.

Input and Output Symbols

NAME
SYMBOL DESCRIPTION
(ALIAS)
 NAME
SYMBOL DESCRIPTION
(ALIAS)

The Data flowchart shape indicates inputs to and outputs

Data
from a process. As such, the shape is more often
(I/O)
referred to as an I/O shape than a Data shape.

Pretty self explanatory - the Document flowchart symbol

Document
is for a process step that produces a document.

Same as Document, except, well, multiple documents.

Multi- This shape is not as commonly used as the Document
Document flowchart shape, even when multiple documents are
implied.

Indicates a process step where information is displayed

Display
to a person (e.g., PC user, machine operator).

Manual Input flowchart shapes show process steps

Manual
where the operator/ user is prompted for information that
Input
must be manually input into a system.

This is the companion to the punched tape flowchart

Card
shapes. This shape is seldom used.

If you're very good at stretching all the life out of a

Punched machine, you may still have use for the Punched Tape
Tape symbol - used for input into old computers and CNC
machines.
File and Information Storage Symbols

NAME
SYMBOL DESCRIPTION
(ALIAS)

A general Data Storage flowchart shape used for any

Stored Data process step that stores data (as opposed to the
more specific shapes to follow next in this table).

The most universally recognizable symbol for a data

Magnetic Disk
storage location, this flowchart shape depicts a
(Database)
database.

Direct Access Direct Access Storage is a fancy way of saying Hard

Storage Drive.

Internal Used in programming flowcharts to mean information

Storage stored in memory, as opposed to on a file.

Sequential
Access
Although it looks like a 'Q', the symbol is supposed to
Storage
look like a reel of tape.
(Magnetic
Tape)

Data Processing Symbols

NAME
SYMBOL DESCRIPTION
(ALIAS)
 NAME
SYMBOL DESCRIPTION
(ALIAS)

The Collate flowchart shape indicates a process step that

Collate requires organizing data, information, or materials according
into a standard format or arrangement.

Indicates the sorting of data, information, materials into some

Sort
pre-defined order.

Usage
This is an overview of all the flowchart symbols that you will use
when drawing flowcharts and process flow. All these objects are
available in Creately and you can try out a demo or take a look at
some sample flowcharts for more context.
Terminal / Terminator

The terminator is used to show where your flow begins or ends.

Ideally, you would use words like 'Start', 'Begin', 'End' inside the
terminator object to make things more obvious.

Process / Rectangle
Flowchart Process object is used to illustrate a process, action or
an operation. These are represented by rectangles; and the text
in the rectangle mostly includes a verb. Examples include 'Edit
video', 'Try Again', 'Choose your Plan'.

Data (I/O)

The Data object, often referred to as the I/O Shape shows the
Inputs to and Outputs from a process. This takes the shape of a
parallelogram.

Decision / Conditional

Decision object is represented as a Diamond. This object is

always used in a process flow to as a question. And, the answer
to the question determines the arrows coming out of the Diamond.
This shape is quite unique with two arrows coming out of it. One
from the bottom point corresponding to Yes or True and one from
either the right/left point corresponding to No or False. The arrows
should be always labelled to avoid confusion in the process flow.
Document

Document object is a rectangle with a wave-like base. This shape

is used to represent a Document or Report in a process flow.

Stored Data

This is a general data storage object used in the process flow as

opposed to data which could be also stored on a hard drive,
magnetic tape, memory card, of any other storage device.

Direct Data
Direct Data object in a process flow represents information stored
which can be accessed directly. This object represents a
computer's hard drive.

Internal Storage

This is an object which is commonly found in programming

flowcharts to illustrate the information stored in memory, as
opposed to on a file. This shape is often referred to as the
magnetic core memory of early computers; or the random access
memory (RAM) as we call it today.

Sequential Access

This object takes the shape of a reel of tape. It represents

information stored in a sequence, such as data on a magnetic
tape.
Manual Input

This object is represented by rectangle with the top sloping up

from left to right. The Manual Input object signifies an action
where the user is prompted for information that must be manually
input into a system.

Subroutine / Predefined Process

This shape takes two names - 'Subroutine' or 'Predefined

Process'. Its called a subroutine if you use this object in
flowcharting a software program. This allows you to write one
subroutine and call it as often as you like from anywhere in the
code.
The same object is also called a Predefined Process. This means
the flowchart for the predefined process has to be already drawn,
and you should reference the flowchart for more information.