How to Create an Organizational Chart in Excel from a List

An Organizational Chart is a simple way to visualize the hierarchy of an organization. Using a straightforward and comprehensible chart can illustrate a complicated structure. We can create an Organizational Chart in Excel from a list by following 3 simple methods. In this article, we will illustrate these 3 methods.

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What Is an Organizational Chart?

In simple words, an organizational chart is a diagram where the hierarchy of an organization is depicted. It also helps us to understand the chain of command of the organization as well as the flow of information. It can also be useful to construct a family tree.

In this section of the article, we will learn about the 3 simple methods to create an organizational chart in Excel from a list.

In the following dataset, we have an Organizational Hierarchy of a company in the form of a list.

Note: Make sure that the positions written in the list maintain the hierarchy order.

Not to mention that we have used Microsoft Excel 365 version for this article, you can use any other version according to your convenience.

1. Using Excel SmartArt Design Tab to Create an Organizational Chart from a List

Using the SmartArt Design tab is one of the easiest methods to create an organizational chart in Excel from a list. Let’s follow the steps mentioned below.

Step 01: Using SmartArt Option

Firstly, go to the Insert tab from the Ribbon
Following that, click on the SmartArt option from the Illustration group.

As a result, a dialogue box will open named Choose a SmartArt Graphic.

Now, select the Hierarchy tab from the Choose a SmartArt Graphic dialogue box.
Then, choose the Organization Chart option.

Consequently, you will see the following image on your screen.

Step 02: Editing Organizational Chart

Firstly, click on the marked portion of the following picture.
Following that, press CTRL + A to select all at once.
Then press DELETE.

As a result, all the text and shapes will be removed as shown in the picture given below.

Now, select the dataset and press CTRL + C to copy them.

Following that, click on the marked area shown in the following picture.
Then, press CTRL + V to paste the copied items.

Consequently, all of the positions from the list will be added as demonstrated in the picture below.

Step 03: Constructing Organizational Chart

Firstly, click anywhere on the Organization Chart.
Subsequently, the SmartArt Design tab will be available on the Ribbon. Click on that.

Now, click on the VP HR position as shown in the following image.
After that, click on the Demote option as VP HR is one position below the President.

As a result, you will see the following image on your screen.

After that, choose the Staff position.
Then, click on the Demote option 2 times. Because it is 2 positions below the President.

Consequently, you will see that the Staff position is added below the VP HR position as marked in the image given below.

Following that, select the Recruitment option.
Then, click on the Demote option 3 times. Because it is 3 positions below the position of the President.

Subsequently, you will see that the Recruitment position is added under the Staff position.

Now, you understand who reports to who and how this organization chart works. Follow the same steps for the rest of the positions and consequently, we will get the following output.

2. Using TAB Button from Keyboard to Create an Organizational Chart from a list in Excel

Utilizing the TAB button from the keyboard is a handy alternative to the previous method of creatingan organizational chart from a list in Excel. We can do this by following some simple steps. Just follow along.

Steps:

Firstly, follow the steps mentioned in Step 01 and Step 02 of the previous method to get the following output.

Now, select the VP HR position.
Following that, press the TAB button from your keyboard 1 time.

As a result, you will see that the VP HR position is added to one position below the President position.

Now, click on the Staff position.
Then, press TAB 2 times.

Consequently, it will be added 2 steps below the position of the President as demonstrated in the following image.

Next, choose the Recruitment position.
Then, press TAB 3 times.

Subsequently, the Recruitment position will be added 3 steps below the President and 1 step below the Staff position.

Now, follow the same steps for the other pistons according to the hierarchy order and you will get your organizational chart as shown in the image given below.

3. Using Excel Visio Data Visualizer Add-In to Create an Organizational Chart

Using the Visio Data Visualizer Add-in, we can create a dynamic organizational chart in just one click. Let’s follow the steps mentioned below.

Steps:

Firstly, go to the Insert tab from the Ribbon.
After that, choose the Add-in option.
Then, select the Visio Data Visualizer option from the drop-down.

As a result, the Data Visualizer dialogue box will be available on your worksheet.

After that, click on the Continue without signing in (Preview) option.

Afterward, you will see the following image on your screen.

Following that, select the Organization Chart tab from the Data Visualizer dialogue box.
Then, click on the Create button under the Hybrid option.

As a result, you will get the following table on your worksheet.

This is a default chart given by Excel. However, we can edit the data of the table at our convenience.

Now, edit the columns named Name and Title as shown in the image given below.

Here, the Manager ID indicates the chain of command of the organization. For example, VP, HR reports to the President. So Manager ID of VP, HR is ID1 which is the Employee ID of the President.

Now, edit the Manager ID of the Staff position and enter ID2 as the Staff reports to the VP, HR.

Following that, in the Role Type column, choose the Assistant option for the Staff position from the drop-down.

As a result, you will see the following output on your worksheet.

Following the same steps, edit the Manager ID and Role Type for the other positions.

Following that, go to the diagram beside the table and click on the Refresh option as marked in the following image.

There you go! You have successfully created a dynamic organization chart in Excel from a list.

How to Format an Organizational Chart in Excel

In Excel, we can format an Organizational Chart by using some easy methods. Now, in this section of the article, we will learn about these methods.

1. Changing Chart Style

Firstly, we will edit the style of the organizational chart. To do this, we will use the steps mentioned below.

Steps:

Firstly, click on the SmartArt Design tab from the Ribbon.
After that, choose your preferred style from the SmartArt Styles option. In this case, we have used the 3rd option.

Consequently, you will see that the style of your Organization Chart is changed according to your preferred style.

2. Editing Color of Nodes of an Organization Chart

At this stage, we will learn the steps to edit the Color of Nodes of the Organization Chart. Now, let’s use the procedure discussed below.

Steps:

Firstly, click on the SmartArt Design tab as marked in the following image.
Following that, select the Change Colors option.
Now, select your preferred option from the drop-down. Here, we have chosen the 1st option under the Colorful tab.

As a result, you will see the following output on your worksheet as shown in the picture below.

3. Formatting Chart Layout

Now, we will discuss the steps to format the layout of the Organization Chart. Let’s follow the steps mentioned below.

Steps:

Firstly, go to the SmartArt Design tab from the Ribbon.
Then, choose your preferred layout from the Layouts option as marked in the image given below.

Subsequently, you will see that your organization chart is formatted according to your preferred layout.

Download Practice Workbook

Create an Organizational Chart From a List.xlsx

Conclusion

Finally, we have to the end of the article. I sincerely hope that this article was able to guide you to create an organizational chart in Excel from a list. Please feel free to leave a comment if you have any queries or recommendations for improving the article’s quality. Happy learning!