How to Create an Organizational Chart in Google Slides Step by Step

An organizational chart displays how a team is arranged and shows who reports to whom. Google Slides provides an easy way to create a clear chart that everyone can understand.

Following a few simple steps, you can design a professional chart without any advanced software or design skills. Each part of the chart can be customized to fit your team’s needs, making roles visible and responsibilities clear.

This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process, helping you organize your team visually, simplify communication, and ensure everyone knows their place within the structure.

Using an organizational chart template

1. Open Google Slides on your computer or device and either start a new blank presentation or select an existing one where you want to insert your organizational chart. Make sure you have the slide ready for editing before proceeding.

2. Click on the slide where you want the organizational chart to appear. This will ensure that the chart is added to the correct location in your presentation and does not overlap with other elements on different slides.

3. Navigate to the top menu bar and select Insert, then choose Diagram from the dropdown list. The diagram panel will appear on the right side of your screen, providing different types of diagrams you can use.

4. In the diagram panel, select Hierarchy to access organizational chart layouts. This category is specifically designed for structures that show relationships between positions or roles in a clear, top-down manner.

5. Browse the layout options within the Hierarchy category and choose one that best suits your organization’s structure. The available layouts may vary in style, number of branches, and visual arrangement of the boxes.

6. Adjust the number of levels in your chart using the controls at the top of the diagram panel. This lets you add more layers for subordinates or remove unnecessary layers for simplicity, depending on your organization’s size.

7. Click on each shape in the diagram to enter the text for names, positions, or titles. Make sure each box accurately reflects the person or role it represents so that the chart correctly represents your organizational structure.

8. Use the formatting options in the toolbar to customize the appearance of the chart. You can change font styles, text sizes, box colors, and shapes to match your presentation’s design and improve readability.

9. Move or resize boxes by clicking and dragging them as needed. This helps ensure that the chart fits well on the slide and maintains a clean, organized look without overlapping elements.

10. Review the chart carefully to make sure all connections between roles are displayed correctly. Verify that reporting lines are clear and that the structure reflects the organization accurately.

Pro tip: You can duplicate boxes or levels by selecting a shape and pressing Ctrl + D (Windows) or Cmd + D (Mac). This is useful if multiple roles share the same structure or you want to quickly expand your chart without manually adding each new box.

Creating an Organizational Chart from Scratch

An organizational chart helps you show the structure of a team or company. Google Slides makes it simple to build one from scratch. Follow these steps carefully, and you will create a clean, professional chart.

Step 1: Define Your Chart Structure

Start by planning the layout. Decide how many levels your chart needs. Typically, you have a top level for leadership, a middle level for managers, and a bottom level for team members. Draw a rough sketch on paper or in a simple drawing app. This will guide your slide creation.

Pro tip: Keep the structure simple. Too many layers can make the chart hard to read.

Step 2: Create Shapes for Each Layer

Open Google Slides and select a blank slide. Go to the menu and click Insert → Shape → Shapes. Choose a rectangle or a rounded rectangle for each position. Click and drag on the slide to place the shape. Repeat for all positions in the top layer.

Use the Shift key while dragging to keep shapes perfectly proportional.

Step 3: Style Your Shapes

Once shapes are in place, style them for clarity. Click on a shape, then go to the toolbar. Use Fill color to assign a color to each layer. Use Border color for outlines. Keep colors consistent across similar roles to make the chart visually clear.

Pro tip: Use subtle shades to avoid overwhelming viewers. Too many bright colors can distract from the information.

Step 4: Add Connectors Between Shapes

Connectors show reporting lines. Click Insert → Line → Elbow Connector or Straight Connector. Click one shape’s edge, drag to the edge of the next shape, and release. The line will attach automatically. Repeat for all reporting connections.

Pro tip: Hold the Shift key while drawing a line to keep it perfectly vertical or horizontal. This creates a neat, aligned look.

Step 5: Adjust Connector Styles

Select a connector and click Line color to match the chart’s style. Use Line weight to make connections thicker or thinner. Avoid overly thick lines; thin lines look cleaner.

Pro tip: Use dashed lines for dotted reporting relationships. This gives extra clarity without adding clutter.

Step 6: Insert Text into Shapes

Click a shape and type the name or title. Press Enter to add multiple lines if needed. Adjust the font size using the toolbar. Keep text centered and readable.

Pro tip: Use Ctrl + B (Windows) or Cmd + B (Mac) to bold names. Use consistent fonts for all shapes to maintain uniformity.

Step 7: Refine Alignment and Spacing

Select multiple shapes and use Arrange → Align to line them up. Use Distribute → Horizontally/Vertically to space shapes evenly. Proper alignment makes the chart easy to scan and visually balanced.

Pro tip: Zoom in while adjusting spacing. Small gaps or misalignment can make the chart look messy.

Step 8: Review and Test

Check all names, titles, and connections. Make sure every reporting line is correct. Adjust any shapes or connectors that look crowded.

Pro tip: Ask a colleague to review the chart. A fresh set of eyes can spot mistakes you might have missed.

Step 9: Explore Templates for Efficiency

Once you are comfortable creating charts from scratch, explore Google Slides templates. Templates save time and often include pre-styled shapes and connectors. You can still customize colors, text, and layout for your team’s needs.

Pro tip: Duplicate your completed chart before experimenting with templates. This ensures you keep a backup of your original work.

Following these steps, you can confidently create a detailed organizational chart in Google Slides. Each layer, shape, connector, and text entry builds toward a clear and professional representation of your team. Start experimenting with shapes, colors, and connectors today, and refine your skills with practice.

How to make an organizational chart in Venngage

Creating an organizational chart in Venngage is simple and intuitive. Start by signing up for a free account. Once logged in, you gain access to hundreds of ready-made templates designed for businesses of all sizes.

Choose a template: 

Browse the library and pick a chart that fits your team structure. Templates are fully editable, so you can adjust layouts to match your needs.

Add your team details: 

Click on any text box to enter names, titles, and roles. You can drag boxes to rearrange positions, making your chart visually clear and accurate.

Customize icons and colors: 

Venngage offers a wide selection of icons and a color palette that can be applied in one click. Change icons for departments, highlight key roles, or adjust colors to match your company branding.

Edit shapes and lines: 

Easily modify shapes or connectors by selecting them and choosing new styles. This ensures your chart is not only functional but also visually appealing.

Share and download: 

Venngage allows you to share your chart online, embed it in presentations, or download it in high resolution.

Venngage’s platform makes chart creation accessible to everyone, even beginners. Its tools are designed to save time while keeping your design professional. Creating clear organizational charts has never been this effortless.

How to Make an Organizational Chart in SmartDraw

Create a clear organizational chart in SmartDraw by adding positions, connecting them, and customizing the layout.

Log in or create an account

Go to SmartDraw and sign in. If you don’t have an account, click Create Account and follow the instructions.

Open a new organizational chart

After logging in, select Templates. Then choose Organizational Chart to start a new project.

Add shapes for positions

Click on the chart area and use the Add Shape button to insert positions. You can add boxes for managers, team leads, and employees.

Enter names and roles

Click on each shape to type the person’s name and job title. Keep it short and clear.

Connect positions

Use SmartDraw’s lines or connectors to show reporting relationships. Drag a line from one box to another to create a link.

Customize the design

Change colors, fonts, or layout to make the chart easy to read. SmartDraw lets you adjust spacing and style with a few clicks.

Save or export

Click File and select Save to keep your chart in SmartDraw. To use it in Google Slides, choose Export, then Image or PDF.

Add the chart to Google Slides

Open your Google Slides presentation. Go to Insert > Image > Upload from computer. Select your saved chart, and it will appear in the slide.

Conclusion:

Creating an organizational chart helps everyone see how a team is structured. Whether you use Google Slides or Venngage, clear layouts make roles and reporting lines easy to understand. Start simple, keep shapes and connectors neat, and customize colors and text for clarity. With a little practice, you can build charts that improve communication and keep your team organized.

FAQs:

1. What is an organizational chart?

An organizational chart shows how a team is arranged. It displays who reports to whom and clarifies roles and responsibilities.

2. Can I make an organizational chart in Google Slides?

Yes. Google Slides allows you to create a chart using templates or from scratch. You can add shapes, text, and connectors to build a clear structure.

3. Do I need design skills to create a chart in Google Slides?

No. The steps are simple. You can customize shapes, colors, and text without advanced design knowledge.

4. How do I use a template in Google Slides?

Open a slide, go to Insert → Diagram → Hierarchy, and select a layout. Adjust the number of levels and fill in names and titles.

5. How can I create a chart from scratch in Google Slides?

Insert shapes for each role, style them with colors, add connectors to show reporting lines, and enter names and titles. Align and space shapes evenly for clarity.

6. What are connectors, and why are they important?

Connectors are lines that show reporting relationships. They help readers understand who reports to whom and keep the chart organized.

7. Can I customize the colors and text in the chart?

Yes. You can change fill colors, borders, text size, and fonts. Use consistent styling for similar roles to make the chart easy to read.

8. Is it possible to duplicate boxes or levels in Google Slides?

Yes. Select a shape and press Ctrl + D (Windows) or Cmd + D (Mac) to duplicate it. This saves time when adding similar roles.

9. Can I create organizational charts using Venngage?

Yes. Venngage offers templates that are easy to edit. You can add team details, adjust colors, change icons, and share or download your chart.

10. Which tool should I use, Google Slides or Venngage?

Both work well. Google Slides is free and simple, while Venngage has ready-made templates and more design options. Choose based on your needs and comfort level.