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In this article, we will learn to create a cross functional flowchart in Excel. A cross functional flowchart shows the number of steps and departments involved to accomplish a particular task. Today, we will demonstrate 3 easy methods. Using these methods, you can easily create a cross functional flowchart according to your needs. We will also show how you can create a flowchart manually. So, without any delay, let’s start the discussion.
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What Is Cross Functional Flowchart?
As said in the introduction, the cross functional flowchart reveals the number of steps and departments or people involved in accomplishing a specific task. Many complex tasks can be described with the help of a cross functional flowchart. It helps others to understand those tasks easily. It is different from basic flowcharts because it shows the relationship between functions and phases. Here, we will discuss the methods to create a cross functional flowchart in Excel. So that you can apply them to create a new one.
3 Easy Ways to Create Cross Functional Flowchart in Excel
To explain the methods, we will use a dataset that contains information about the steps to complete a task at an office. Here, we showed the steps of approving an application in an office. We can break the dataset into two parts. In the first part, we just gave an overview of the steps.
And in the extended version, we showed the basic things that we use to make a cross functional flowchart. The Connector Labels are used when you need to make a decision. Also, there are different shape types that we use in flowcharts. In our case, the Function denotes who accomplishes the task and the Phase indicates where the task is completed.
1. Create a Cross Functional Flowchart in Excel with Microsoft Visio
In the first method, we will use Microsoft Visio to create a cross functional flowchart in Excel. It’s a tool that visualizes the data in a diagram or flowchart quickly. You can find Visio inside the Insert tab. This is a part of the Add-ins. These are basically installed when you download Microsoft Office. Let’s follow the steps below to learn the technique.
STEPS:
- First of all, create a new sheet, go to the Insert tab and select Visio Data Visualizer.
- If you don’t find it inside the Insert tab, then, you need to add it. To do so, click on File >> Options. It will open the Excel Options window.
- In the Excel Options window, select Customize Ribbon >> Main Tabs >> Insert >> Add-ins.
- Click Add and then, OK to proceed.
- After selecting Visio Data Visualizer, the Data Visualizer window will appear.
- Go to the Cross-Functional Flowchart tab and click on Create. You can choose the chart according to your needs. We have chosen the Quick Start flowchart here.
- Instantly, the cross functional flowchart and a table will appear on the sheet.
- We need to enter the information in the table to create a chart.
- After that, copy the Extended Dataset without the headers.
- Then, go to the sheet where the Visio table is located and select Cell A2.
- Now, press Ctrl + V to paste the information.
- In the following step, click on the Refresh icon in the flowchart sheet.
- Finally, you will get a cross functional flowchart like the picture below.
Read More: How to Make an Interactive Flowchart in Excel (With Easy Steps)
2. Make a Cross Functional Flowchart in Excel from Online
Another way to make a cross functional flowchart in Excel is to export the template online. This method is straightforward and similar to Method-1. We will use the same dataset in this method. Let’s observe the steps below to learn the methods.
STEPS:
- In the first place, click on the File tab.
- Secondly, click on New and select Charts.
- Thirdly, scroll down and select Process Map Cross-Functional Flowchart.
- After that, click on Create.
- As a result, a new window will appear with 4 sheets.
- Click on the Process Map sheet.
- Then, copy the Extended Dataset from the old workbook.
- Next, select Cell B6 from the Process Map sheet and press Ctrl + V to paste the Extended Dataset.
- Instantly, a message will pop up. Click OK to proceed.
- In the following step, select the dataset in the Process Map sheet and copy it.
- At this moment, create a new sheet on the same workbook and click on the Visio Data Visualizer icon.
- Press Ctrl + V to paste the copied data.
- In the end, like the previous method, click on Refresh and create the cross functional flowchart.
3. Import a Cross Functional Flowchart from Scratch in Excel
We can also build a cross functional flowchart from scratch in Excel. This process is easy but time-consuming. As we need to edit from the basic level, that is why it takes time. Let’s pay attention to the steps below to see the method.
STEPS:
- To begin with, navigate to the View tab and select Page Layout.
- In the second step, go to the Home tab, click on the Format icon, and select Row Height from the drop-down menu.
- Thirdly, set the row height to 0.5 cm and click OK.
- Again, go to the Home tab, select the Format icon and then, click on the Column Width option.
- Set the column width to 0.5cm and click OK to proceed.
- Now, go to the View tab and select Normal.
- Select the range A2:AH6.
- After that, go to the Home tab and select Bottom, Top and Right borders.
- In the next step, select Cell A2 to A6.
- Click on Merge & Center in the Home tab.
- Type Function 1 inside the merged cell.
- Then, fill the merged cell with a color from the Font section in the Home tab. Also, change the font color if you want.
- After completing the previous steps, go to the Alignment section in the Home tab and click on the Alignment Settings icon.
- Type 90 in the Orientation section and click OK.
- After all the changes, the sheet will look like the screenshot below.
- Copy the range A2:AH6 and paste it into the below ranges.
- Also, change the name of the functions to Function 2, Function 3, and Function 4 respectively.
- At this moment, we need to enter the flowchart shapes.
- For that purpose, go to the Insert tab and select Illustrations. A drop-down menu will appear.
- Select Shapes and scroll down to Flowchart.
- From there, select the Terminator icon and insert the shape into the sheet.
- Follow the same procedure and insert the Rectangular shapes into the sheet.
- Click on any shape and the Shape Format tab will appear in the ribbon.
- Use this tab to apply different styles to the texts inside the shapes.
- Finally, type the name of the process and step in each box to make a cross functional like below.
Read More: How to Create a Workflow in Excel (3 Simple Methods)
Conclusion
In this article, we have demonstrated 3 easy methods to Create a Cross Functional Flowchart in Excel. I hope these methods will help you to perform your tasks easily. Furthermore, we have also added the practice book at the beginning of the article. To test your skills, you can download it to exercise. Visit the ExcelDemy website for more articles like this. Last of all, if you have any suggestions or queries, feel free to ask in the comment section below.
