Flowchart Symbols
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Basic Flowchart Symbols
A flowchart is the visualization of a system or process consisting of five basic objects:
More Flowchart Symbols
Flowcharts use special shapes to represent different types of actions or steps in a process. Lines and arrows show the sequence of the steps, and the relationships among them.
Start/End Symbol
The terminator symbol marks the starting or ending point of the system. It usually contains the word "Start" or "End."
Action or Process Symbol
A box can represent a single step ("add two cups of flour"), or and entire sub-process ("make bread") within a larger process.
Document Symbol
A printed document or report.
Multiple Documents Symbol
Represents multiple documents in the process.
Decision Symbol
A decision or branching point. Lines representing different decisions emerge from different points of the diamond.
Input/Output Symbol
Represents material or information entering or leaving the system, such as customer order (input) or a product (output).
Manual Input Symbol
Represents a step where a user is prompted to enter information manually.
Preparation Symbol
Represents a set-up to another step in the process.
Connector Symbol
Indicates that the flow continues where a matching symbol (containing the same letter) has been placed.
Or Symbol
Indicates that the process flow continues in more than two branches.
Summoning Junction Symbol
Indicates a point in the flowchart where multiple branches converge back into a single process.
Merge Symbol
Indicates a step where two or more sub-lists or sub-processes become one.
Collate Symbol
Indicates a step that orders information into a standard format.
Sort Symbol
Indicates a step that organizes a list of items into a sequence or sets based on some pre-determined criteria.
Subroutine Symbol
Indicates a sequence of actions that perform a specific task embedded within a larger process. This sequence of actions could be described in more detail on a separate flowchart.
Manual Loop Symbol
Indicates a sequence of commands that will continue to repeat until stopped manually.
Loop Limit Symbol
Indicates the point at which a loop should stop.
Delay Symbol
Indicates a delay in the process.
Data Storage or Stored Data Symbol
Indicates a step where data gets stored.
Database Symbol
Indicates a list of information with a standard structure that allows for searching and sorting.
Internal Storage Symbol
Indicates that information was stored in memory during a program, used in software design flowcharts.
Display Symbol
Indicates a step that displays information.
Off Page
Indicates that the process continues off page.
Download this list as an image
You can download this flowchart symbol guide as a printable image for future reference here.
Ready to Make Your Own Flowchart with These Flowchart Symbols?
SmartDraw gives you not only with all these symbols, but also:
- Automatic Formatting
Click simple commands and SmartDraw builds your flowchart for you, automatically. Add or remove a flowchart symbol, and SmartDraw realigns and arranges all the elements so that everything looks great. - Quick-Start Templates
Over 60 professionally-designed flowchart examples make you instantly productive. Simply choose the flowchart template that is most similar to your project, and customize it to suit your needs. - Free Support
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