Visio - Definition of common symbols used to map processes

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Mon 21 Apr 2008, 15:36 Delegate Natasha said...

Natasha has attended:
Visio Introduction course

Visio - Definition of common symbols used to map processes

Does anyone know of a glossary or similar type of definition explaining the types of symbols commonly used to map processes?

Natasha

Mon 21 Apr 2008, 16:27 Trainer Amanda said...

RE: Visio - Definition of common symbols used to map processes

Hi Natasha

Thank you for your question.

The problem I've found with trying to find a glossary that is easy to understand, is that because flowcharts document technical processes, sometimes the explanations of the shapes tend to be technical too.

Here are some that I could suggest as starting points:
Wikipedia, under the section headed Symbols: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flowchart

Flowchart Symbols Defined: there's a bit of advertising in here, but there is a table which have descriptions of the flowchart shapes: http://www.breezetree.com/article-excel-flowchart-shapes.htm

Thank you for the question, as it has prompted me into thinking that the course handout could be updated to include descriptions of the more common shapes.

I hope you find the above links useful.

Amanda

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Visio tip:

Creating an organisation chart in Visio using Excel data

A quick and easy way to create an organisation chart by importing names and titles stored in list format in an Excel spreadsheet into Visio.

1. Select File, New, Organization Chart.

2. Start the Organization Chart Wizard.

3. At the first step of the wizard, select the 'Information that I enter using the wizard' option, and click Next.

4. At the second step of the wizard, select Excel, then type the name of the file.

5. Select Browse to choose the location you wish to save the file to, click Save, and then click Next.

6. Click OK - a Microsoft Office Excel workbook will open with column headings already entered for you.

7. Replace the sample text with the text you wish to appear in your organisation chart. By holding your cursor over each column heading, you should be able to view data entry tips.

8. Save the Excel file, then close Excel.

9. Proceed through the remaining steps in the wizard to create your organization chart from the data you entered into the Excel file.

Visio's organisation chart wizard will also recognise the following file formats (besides .xls):

- Microsoft Exchange Server Directory (Microsoft Exchange e-mail Address Book).

- Tab- or Comma-delimited text (.txt).

- Org Plus (.txt).

- Microsoft Office Access (.mdb) or any other file format for a database created in an Open Database Connectivity (ODBC)-compliant database application.