How to Make Fishbone Diagram in Excel (with Easy Steps)

Sometimes you may need to visualize a business case. In that case, you may need to make a Fishbone diagram in Excel in which you can describe the problems and effects. Furthermore, you can easily find out the solution by analyzing the Fishbone diagram. Thus, I will explain how to make a Fishbone diagram in Excel in this article.

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What Is a Fishbone Diagram?

The Fishbone diagram is basically a way to visualize the main causes and effects of any problem. This is also known as the Ishikawa diagram. This diagram is very helpful for the company manager or owner to understand the problems, search the solution and predict the result.

8 Steps to Make Fishbone Diagram in Excel

You can use the Shape feature to make the Fishbone diagram in Excel. Moreover, you can do a lot of things using this Shape feature in Excel. Actually, the Shape feature has different types of Shape.

Now, let’s start making a Fishbone diagram. In addition, I’m going to use the following dataset for your better understanding. Basically, the dataset describes the problems of the Supply Chain system in a manufacturing company.

Step 1 : Inserting Fish Head

In this section, I will insert the Fish Head of the Ishikawa diagram. The steps are given below.

• Firstly, from the Insert tab >> you need to go to the Shapes feature.
• Secondly, you have to select the Delay shape which is in the Flowchart section.

• Now, you have to drag the Mouse Pointer. Here, you need to drag the Mouse Pointer where you want to keep the Fish Head. 

• After that, double click on the shape and you will see the Text Bar to write.

• At this time, you have to write the focus worlds of the diagram. Here, I have written “Manufacturing Supply Chain”.

• Furthermore, you can simply change the Shapes location dragging the Mouse Pointer.

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Step 2 : Formatting Text in Fish Head

In this section, I will do the formatting of the text which I have written before inside the Fish Head. Moreover, the formatting will be totally according to your preference.

• Firstly, you should select the Text.
• Secondly, from the Home tab >> you may go to the Alignment feature. Here, I have done Center and Middle alignment.

• Now, you should check whether the Text is selected or not.
• Then, from the Home tab >> you may change the Font Size. Here, I have increased the Font Size to 16.

Step 3 : Including Main Bone of Fish

Now, I will include the Main Bone of Fish for the Ishikawa diagram.

• Firstly, from the Insert tab >> you need to go to the Shapes feature.
• Secondly, from the Lines command >> you have to select the Line shape.

• Now, you have to drag the Mouse Pointer. Here, you need to drag the Mouse Pointer towards the Fish Head. 
• Then, from the Shape Format tab >> go to the Shape Outline.
• After that, from the Weight option >> choose your preferred line weight. Here, try to choose a weight that will keep the diagram visible.

Finally, you will get the following output.

Step 4 : Adding Fish Bones

Now, I will add the Fish Bones to make the Fishbone diagram in Excel.

• Firstly, from the Insert tab >> you need to go to the Shapes feature.
• Secondly, from the Lines command >> you have to select the Line shape.

• Now, you have to drag the Mouse Pointer. Here, you need to drag the Mouse Pointer towards the Fish Head and Main Bone. 

• Now, you need to select the shape.
• Then, from the Shape Format tab >> go to the Shape Outline.
• After that, from the Weight option >> choose your preferred line weight. Here, try to choose a weight that will keep the diagram visible. Also, try to keep this thin than the Main Bone.

Here, you can move the whole diagram by selecting all those shapes by using the Ctrl key.

• At this time, to draw more bones, you can copy the bone using Excel keyboard shortcuts Ctrl+C and then paste the bone pressing Ctrl+V keys. This is the easiest way to add lots of bones. When you have so many causes to describe you must use this shortcut.

Finally, you will see the following shapes.

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Step 5 : Inserting Fish Tail to Make Fishbone Diagram in Excel

At this time, I will insert the Fish Tail to complete the Fish shape.

• Firstly, from the Insert tab >> you need to go to the Shapes feature.
• Secondly, you have to select the Isosceles Triangle shape which is in the Basic Shapes section.

• Now, you have to drag the Mouse Pointer. Here, you need to drag the Mouse Pointer where you want to keep the Fish Tail. 
• Then, you should rotate the shape to look like a Fish Tail.

Lastly, you will get the Fishbone Shape.

Step 6 : Including Chevron Arrow to Narrate Data for Making Fishbone Diagram

In this section, I will include the Chevron arrow to narrate the fact in the Ishikawa diagram.

• Firstly, from the Insert tab >> you need to go to the Shapes feature.
• Secondly, from the Block Arrows option >> you have to select the Chevron arrow shape.

• Now, you have to drag the Mouse Pointer. Here, you need to drag the Mouse Pointer where you want to keep the shape.
• Then, Right-Click on the shape.
• Subsequently, from the Context Menu Bar >> go to Fill option >> then you may change the fill color. Here, I have chosen Orange, Accent 2, Lighter 60%. In this case, try to choose any light color. Because, the dark color may hide the inputted data. Then, you may need to change the Font Color again.

• At this time, to draw more Chevron arrows, I used Excel keyboard shortcuts Ctrl+C keys to copy them and Ctrl+V keys to paste them. This is the easiest way to add lots of arrows. When you have so many causes to describe you must use this shortcut.

Last but not the least, you will see the following shape.

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Step 7 : Placing Line Arrow to Make Fishbone Diagram in Excel

Now, I have to place Line Arrows to make the Fishbone diagram more understandable.

• Firstly, from the Insert tab >> you need to go to the Shapes feature.
• Secondly, from the Lines command >> you have to select the Line Arrow shape.

• Now, you have to drag the Mouse Pointer. Here, you need to drag the Mouse Pointer towards the Fish Bones. 

• At this time, to draw more Line Arrows, I used Excel keyboard shortcuts Ctrl+C keys to copy them and Ctrl+V keys to paste them. This is the easiest way to add lots of arrows. When you have so many causes to describe you must use this shortcut.

Last but not the least, you will see the following shape.

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Step 8 : Inserting Data in Fishbone Diagram

At last, I have to insert the data as text to make the Fishbone diagram readable.

• Firstly, you need to write the causes inside of the Chevron arrows.

At this time, to describe the causes you should use the Text Box feature.

• Firstly, from the Insert tab >> you should go to the Text command.
• Secondly, click on the Text Box feature.

• Now, you have to drag the Mouse Pointer. Here, you need to drag the Mouse Pointer above the Line Arrow. 

• Now, write the description in the box.
• Then, select the box.
• After that, from the Home tab >> change the Alignment to Middle and Center.
• Subsequently, from the Fill option >> choose No Fill.

• Similarly, write the description for the other arrows.

Lastly, you will see the Fishbone diagram.

Here, I have attached a clear view of the Ishikawa diagram.

Read More: How to Move Data from Row to Column in Excel (4 Easy Ways)

💬 Things to Remember

• If you change the length or width of any column or row then the diagram will also be either elongated or narrated.
• Moreover, this is totally a manual process. Thus, you have to change every shape individually.

Conclusion

I hope you found this article helpful. Here, I have explained 8 easy steps to make a Fishbone Diagram in Excel. You can visit our website Exceldemy to learn more Excel-related content. Please, drop comments, suggestions, or queries if you have any in the comment section below.

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