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Table Of Flowchart Symbols

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Neo Nguyens

The document provides descriptions for various flowchart symbols, including: - Terminators that show the start and stop of processes, processes/actions, predefined/subprocesses, decisions, data inputs/outputs, and documents. - Other symbols include preparation, display, manual input, manual operations, connectors/inspections, off-page connectors, merging/branching, sorting/collating, delays, and various data storage methods. - Not all symbols apply to every usage, and some have multiple meanings, so including a symbol key is important for clarity.

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Table of Flowchart Symbols Caveat: The descriptions given below are written from the perspective of someone using them to create process flow charts, whereas many of the flowchart symbols actually have their roots in the data processing diagrams and programming flow charts. So, not all the flowcharting shapes shown below may be relevant to your needs. The flowchart symbol names in parentheses are common alternates for a given shape. Sometimes a flowchart shape can have more than one meaning, as with the Circle shape, which depicts a jump node in flow charts and inspection point in business process mapping. Other times, there are just multiple names for the same flow chart symbol - such as Terminator and Terminal Point. Symbol Symbol Name Symbol Description (Alternate Shape Name) Terminator Terminators show the start and stop points in a process. (Terminal When used as a Start symbol, terminators depict a trigger Point, Oval) action that sets the process flow into motion. Process Show a Process or action step. This is the most common symbol in both process flowcharts and business process maps. Predefined A Predefined Process symbol is a marker for another Process process step or series of process flow steps that are (Subroutine) formally defined elsewhere. This shape commonly depicts sub-processes (or subroutines in programming flowcharts). If the sub-process is considered quot;knownquot; but not actually defined in a process procedure, work instruction, or some other process flowchart or documentation, then it is best not to use this symbol since it implies a formally defined process. Alternate As the shape name suggests, this flowchart symbol is Process used when the process flow step is an alternate to the normal process step. Flow lines into an alternate process flow step are typically dashed. Decision Indicates a question or branch in the process flow. Typically, a Decision flowchart shape is used when there are 2 options (Yes/No, No/No-Go, etc.) Data The Data flowchart shape indicates inputs to and outputs (I/O) from a process. As such, the shape is more often referred to as an I/O shape than a Data shape. Document Pretty self explanatory - the Document flowchart shape any process flow step that produces a document.
Multi- Same as Document, except, well, multiple documents. Document This shape is not as commonly used as the Document flowchart shape, even when multiple documents are implied. Preparation As the names states, any process step that is a Preparation process flow step, such as a set-up operation. Display Indicates a process flow step where information is displayed to a person (e.g., PC user, machine operator). Manual Input Manual Input flowchart shapes show process flow steps where the operator/ user is prompted for information that must be manually input into a system. Manual Manual Operations flowchart shapes show which process Operation steps are not automated. In data processing flowcharts, this data flow shape indicates a looping operation along with a loop limit symbol (which is not supported by Microsoft Office, but a Manual Operation symbol rotated 180° will do the trick.) Card This is the companion to the punched tape flowchart shapes. This shapes is seldom used. Punched Tape If you're very good at stretching all the life out of a machine, you may still have use for the Punched Tape symbol - used for input into old computers and CNC machines. Connector Process Flowchart: In process flowcharts, this symbol is (Inspection) typically small and is used as a Connector to show a jump from one point in the process flow to another. Connectors are usually labeled with capital letters (A, B, AA) to show matching jump points. They are handy for avoiding flow lines that cross other shapes and flow lines. They are also handy for jumping to and from a sub-processes defined in a separate area than the main flowchart. Business Process Map: In process maps, this symbol is full sized and shows an Inspection point in the process flow. [Just to confuse things further, some people will use a circle to indicate an operation and a square to indicate an inspection. That's why it's important to include a symbol key in the flowchart.] Off-Page Off-Page Connector shows continuation of a process Connector flowchart onto another page. When using them in conjunction with Connectors, it's best to differentiate the labels, e.g. use numbers for Off-Page Connectors and capital letters for Connectors. In actual practice, most flowcharts just use the Connect shape for both on-page and off-page references.
Or The logical Or symbol shows when a process diverges - usually for more than 2 branches. When using this symbol, it is important to label the out-going flow lines to indicate the criteria to follow each branch. Summing The logical Summing Junction flowchart shape is shows Junction when multiple branches converge into a single process. The merge symbol is more common for this use, though. This symbol and the Or symbol are really more relevant in data processing flow diagrams than in process flowcharts. Collate The Collate flowchart shape indicates a process step that requires organizing data, information, or materials according into a standard format or arrangement. Sort Indicates the sorting of data, information, materials into some pre-defined order. Merge Process Flowchart: In process flowcharts, this symbol (Storage) shows the merging of multiple processes or information into one. Business Process Map: In process mapping, this symbol is commonly indicates storage of raw materials. Extract Process Flowchart:In my personal experience, I have (Measurement) only seen the Extract flowchart shape indicates a Measurement, with a capital 'M' inside the symbol. Business Process Map: Often indicates storage of finished goods. Delay The Delay flowchart symbol depicts any waiting period that is part of a process. Delay shapes are common in process mapping. Stored Data A general Data Storage flowchart shape used for any process step that stores data (as opposed to the more specific shapes to follow next in this table). Magnetic Disk The most universally recognizable symbol for a data (Database) storage location, this flowchart shape depicts a database. Direct Access Direct Access Storage is a fancy way of saying Hard Storage Drive. Internal Used in programming flowcharts to mean information Storage stored in memory, as opposed to on a file. Sequential Although it looks like a 'Q', the symbol is supposed to Access look like a reel of tape. Storage (Magnetic Tape)
Table Of Flowchart Symbols

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Table Of Flowchart Symbols

  • 1. Table of Flowchart Symbols Caveat: The descriptions given below are written from the perspective of someone using them to create process flow charts, whereas many of the flowchart symbols actually have their roots in the data processing diagrams and programming flow charts. So, not all the flowcharting shapes shown below may be relevant to your needs. The flowchart symbol names in parentheses are common alternates for a given shape. Sometimes a flowchart shape can have more than one meaning, as with the Circle shape, which depicts a jump node in flow charts and inspection point in business process mapping. Other times, there are just multiple names for the same flow chart symbol - such as Terminator and Terminal Point. Symbol Symbol Name Symbol Description (Alternate Shape Name) Terminator Terminators show the start and stop points in a process. (Terminal When used as a Start symbol, terminators depict a trigger Point, Oval) action that sets the process flow into motion. Process Show a Process or action step. This is the most common symbol in both process flowcharts and business process maps. Predefined A Predefined Process symbol is a marker for another Process process step or series of process flow steps that are (Subroutine) formally defined elsewhere. This shape commonly depicts sub-processes (or subroutines in programming flowcharts). If the sub-process is considered quot;knownquot; but not actually defined in a process procedure, work instruction, or some other process flowchart or documentation, then it is best not to use this symbol since it implies a formally defined process. Alternate As the shape name suggests, this flowchart symbol is Process used when the process flow step is an alternate to the normal process step. Flow lines into an alternate process flow step are typically dashed. Decision Indicates a question or branch in the process flow. Typically, a Decision flowchart shape is used when there are 2 options (Yes/No, No/No-Go, etc.) Data The Data flowchart shape indicates inputs to and outputs (I/O) from a process. As such, the shape is more often referred to as an I/O shape than a Data shape. Document Pretty self explanatory - the Document flowchart shape any process flow step that produces a document.
  • 2. Multi- Same as Document, except, well, multiple documents. Document This shape is not as commonly used as the Document flowchart shape, even when multiple documents are implied. Preparation As the names states, any process step that is a Preparation process flow step, such as a set-up operation. Display Indicates a process flow step where information is displayed to a person (e.g., PC user, machine operator). Manual Input Manual Input flowchart shapes show process flow steps where the operator/ user is prompted for information that must be manually input into a system. Manual Manual Operations flowchart shapes show which process Operation steps are not automated. In data processing flowcharts, this data flow shape indicates a looping operation along with a loop limit symbol (which is not supported by Microsoft Office, but a Manual Operation symbol rotated 180° will do the trick.) Card This is the companion to the punched tape flowchart shapes. This shapes is seldom used. Punched Tape If you're very good at stretching all the life out of a machine, you may still have use for the Punched Tape symbol - used for input into old computers and CNC machines. Connector Process Flowchart: In process flowcharts, this symbol is (Inspection) typically small and is used as a Connector to show a jump from one point in the process flow to another. Connectors are usually labeled with capital letters (A, B, AA) to show matching jump points. They are handy for avoiding flow lines that cross other shapes and flow lines. They are also handy for jumping to and from a sub-processes defined in a separate area than the main flowchart. Business Process Map: In process maps, this symbol is full sized and shows an Inspection point in the process flow. [Just to confuse things further, some people will use a circle to indicate an operation and a square to indicate an inspection. That's why it's important to include a symbol key in the flowchart.] Off-Page Off-Page Connector shows continuation of a process Connector flowchart onto another page. When using them in conjunction with Connectors, it's best to differentiate the labels, e.g. use numbers for Off-Page Connectors and capital letters for Connectors. In actual practice, most flowcharts just use the Connect shape for both on-page and off-page references.
  • 3. Or The logical Or symbol shows when a process diverges - usually for more than 2 branches. When using this symbol, it is important to label the out-going flow lines to indicate the criteria to follow each branch. Summing The logical Summing Junction flowchart shape is shows Junction when multiple branches converge into a single process. The merge symbol is more common for this use, though. This symbol and the Or symbol are really more relevant in data processing flow diagrams than in process flowcharts. Collate The Collate flowchart shape indicates a process step that requires organizing data, information, or materials according into a standard format or arrangement. Sort Indicates the sorting of data, information, materials into some pre-defined order. Merge Process Flowchart: In process flowcharts, this symbol (Storage) shows the merging of multiple processes or information into one. Business Process Map: In process mapping, this symbol is commonly indicates storage of raw materials. Extract Process Flowchart:In my personal experience, I have (Measurement) only seen the Extract flowchart shape indicates a Measurement, with a capital 'M' inside the symbol. Business Process Map: Often indicates storage of finished goods. Delay The Delay flowchart symbol depicts any waiting period that is part of a process. Delay shapes are common in process mapping. Stored Data A general Data Storage flowchart shape used for any process step that stores data (as opposed to the more specific shapes to follow next in this table). Magnetic Disk The most universally recognizable symbol for a data (Database) storage location, this flowchart shape depicts a database. Direct Access Direct Access Storage is a fancy way of saying Hard Storage Drive. Internal Used in programming flowcharts to mean information Storage stored in memory, as opposed to on a file. Sequential Although it looks like a 'Q', the symbol is supposed to Access look like a reel of tape. Storage (Magnetic Tape)