Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: Creating an Organization Chart.

Creating an Organization Chart

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated June 12, 2024)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021


One of the tools available in Excel is the ability to create organization charts. How you create one depends on the version of Excel you are using. Start by displaying the Insert tab of the ribbon. In the Illustrations group, click the SmartArt tool. Excel displays the Choose a SmartArt Graphic dialog box. At the left of the dialog box click Hierarchy to see the types of organization charts available. (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. The Choose a SmartArt Graphic dialog box.

If you are using Excel 2007 there are seven types of hierarchy charts available. In Excel 2010 and later versions the number is fifteen. Regardless of the version you are using, the first type of hierarchy chart available is the traditional organization chart. Click that chart (or one of the others, if you prefer) and click OK. Excel adds the chart to your worksheet, along with a bunch of different tools on the Design and Format tabs of the ribbon.

Organization charts are made up of shapes and lines. Lines are automatically added or removed as you add or remove shapes. If you would like to change the formatting of any of the elements in the organization chart, right-click on the element and choose Format Shape from the Context menu.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (6118) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Creating an Organization Chart.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Working With OLE Graphics

An explanation of the way Word imports graphics.

Discover More

Iterating Circular References

Does your data require that you perform calculations using circular references? If so, then you'll want to be aware of ...

Discover More

Getting Rid of Hidden Text in Many Files

Hidden text is a great boon if you want to make sure something doesn't show up on the screen or on a printout. If you ...

Discover More

Best-Selling VBA Tutorial for Beginners Take your Excel knowledge to the next level. With a little background in VBA programming, you can go well beyond basic spreadsheets and functions. Use macros to reduce errors, save time, and integrate with other Microsoft applications. Fully updated for the latest version of Office 365. Check out Microsoft 365 Excel VBA Programming For Dummies today!

More ExcelTips (ribbon)

Inserting Video into Worksheets

You can add all sorts of objects to your workbooks, including video clips. Here's the pros and cons (along with the ...

Discover More

Placing a Picture in a Comment

When editing a worksheet, you can place comments or notes that are associated with individual cells. If you want, you can ...

Discover More

Cropping Graphics

Excel makes it easy to place a graphic in a worksheet. Once there, you may want to chop off a side (or two) of the ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is seven less than 7?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


This Site

Got a version of Excel that uses the ribbon interface (Excel 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the menu interface.

Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.