Flowchart Shapes

Flowcharts are used to visualize processes which is why they are also called process diagrams. Each step of the flowchart represents a single action from the process that is being visualized. If you're new to flowcharting, it's important to know what they represent before using them. Just as word usage conveys a certain message, flowchart symbols also have specific meaning.

There are many different flowchart shapes available in order to allow each specific step from the process to be easily distinguished from the rest of the steps. If flowcharting is a new process for you, learning the basic shapes will allow you to easily share flowcharts with others familiar with the process. The main purpose of the various flowchart shapes is to allow quick differentiation between each stage with a quick glance.

Here is a detailed list of all flowchart shapes available in MyDraw:

Termination

The Termination flowchart shape is used to present the beginning or the end of a flowchart process. This is the first shape to start your flowchart diagram with, and the one that ends it. The Termination flowchart shape is usually named “Start” or “End”.

Process

The Process rectangle is the most basic flowchart shape. It represents a single step in the process of describing an action.

Decision

The Decision (diamond-like) flowchart shape is used when presenting an issue or a question. Each corner of this diamond flowchart shape can lead to a different outcome and line of action in the process flow.

Document

This flowchart shape represents a step from the process flowchart that produces a document or report.

Predefined Documents

The Predefined Document flowchart shape indicates a step in the process where predefined documents are being produced or saved.

Multi Documents

This flowchart symbol represents a set of multiple documents or reports that are produced within the process.

Data

The Data flowchart shape stands for information or materials that will be imported or exported from the process. This flowchart shape is sometimes called Input/Output.

Predefined Process

The Predefined Process flowchart symbol represents another process that is either well-known or has been defined elsewhere.

Stored Data

This flowchart shape represents the step in the process when data is being stored.

Internal Storage

This flowchart shape stands for the step when data from the process is stored in memory, instead of in a file.

Sequential Data

The Sequential Data flowchart shape represents a step from the process where data gets stored in a sequential manner.

Direct Data

The Direct Data flowchart shape stands for a data storage location, where any single record of information can be accessed directly.

Manual Input

The Manual Input flowchart symbol represents a step in the process where the information needs to be manually entered into the system.

Manual Operation

The Manual Operation flowchart shape shows which step of the process is not automated and needs to be performed manually.

Manual Loop

The Manual Loop flowchart shape indicates a step of the process where a sequence of commands runs repeatedly until manually cancelled.

Card

The Card flowchart shape is very strictly specified. It represent older computer systems where cards used to be punched in order to store data from the process.

Paper Tape

The Paper Tape flowchart symbol represents the punch paper tape system of storing or importing data in the flowchart.

Display

The Display shape flowchart symbol indicates a step from the process when data is being displayed to an operator or user.

Preparation

The Preparation flowchart symbol indicates the preparation steps for the action that will be processed in the flowchart.

Loop Limit

The Loop Limit flowchart shape indicates the number of times a loop can run, before the next step of the flowchart gets activated.

Collate

The Collage flowchart shape indicates the step of the flowchart where the information used in the process is ordered into a standard format.

Delay

The Delay flowchart symbol indicates a step in the flowchart where the process needs to be delayed.

Extract

The Extract flowchart shape shows the step where the process is being split into parallel paths.

Merge

The Merge flowchart symbol shows the step where different processes are being merged into one.

Or

The Or flowchart shapes indicates the step after which the process continues split to more than two branches.

Sort

The Sort flowchart shape indicates a step where information from the process is getting sorted based on some pre-defined criteria.

Summing Junction

The Summing Junction flowchart shape indicates the step where multiple brunches are converged back into a single process.

Database

The Database flowchart symbol stands for a standard structured storage location where data can be searched and sorted.

On Page Reference

The On Page Reference flowchart shape shows that the next or previous step of the flowchart is located someplace else on the page.

Off Page Reference

The Off Page Reference flowchart shape shows that the flowchart continues on a different page.

Process Iso 9000

The "Process Iso 9000" flowchart shape shows a step of the flowchart that indicates the beginning of an approval process under the Iso 9000 standard.

Transport

The Transport flowchart shape represents the step in the flowchart where information or materials are being transported from the process.

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Flowchart Shapes Description