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Flowchart Symbols

Flowcharts use special shapes to represent different types of actions or steps in a process. Over time, as technology has evolved, so have flowchart symbols. There are many standard flowchart symbols including: start/end symbols to mark the beginning or end of a process; action/process symbols to represent individual steps or entire subprocesses; decision symbols to indicate branching points; and input/output symbols to represent materials or information entering or leaving a system. It is best to stick to basic flowchart symbols like start/end and action/process symbols to ensure diagrams are easy to understand, including a legend if more complex symbols are used.

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Willy Chin
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798 views

Flowchart Symbols

Flowcharts use special shapes to represent different types of actions or steps in a process. Over time, as technology has evolved, so have flowchart symbols. There are many standard flowchart symbols including: start/end symbols to mark the beginning or end of a process; action/process symbols to represent individual steps or entire subprocesses; decision symbols to indicate branching points; and input/output symbols to represent materials or information entering or leaving a system. It is best to stick to basic flowchart symbols like start/end and action/process symbols to ensure diagrams are easy to understand, including a legend if more complex symbols are used.

Uploaded by

Willy Chin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Flowchart Symbols

Flowcharts use special shapes to represent different types of actions or steps in a


process. Lines and arrows show the sequence of the steps, and the relationships
among them. These are known as flowchart symbols.
The type of diagram dictates the flowchart symbols that are used. For example, a
data flow diagram may contain an Input/Output Symbol (also known as an I/O
Symbol), but you wouldn't expect to see it in most process flow diagrams.
Over the years, as technology has evolved, so has flowcharting. Some flowchart
symbols that were used in the past to represent computer punchcards, or punched
tape, have been relegated to the dustbin of history.

More Flowchart Symbols


Here is a more comprehensive library of flowchart symbols.

Start/End Symbol

The terminator symbol marks the starting or ending point of the system. It usually
contains the word "Start" or "End."

Action or Process Symbol


A box can represent a single step ("add two cups of flour"), or and entire subprocess ("make bread") within a larger process.

Document Symbol
A printed document or report.

Multiple Documents Symbol


Represents multiple documents in the process.

Decision Symbol
A decision or branching point. Lines representing different decisions emerge from
different points of the diamond.

Input/Output Symbol
Represents material or information entering or leaving the system, such as
customer order (input) or a product (output).

Manual Input Symbol


Represents a step where a user is prompted to enter information manually.

Preparation Symbol
Represents a set-up to another step in the process.

Connector Symbol
Indicates that the flow continues where a matching symbol (containing the same
letter) has been placed.

Or Symbol
Indicates that the process flow continues in more than two branches.

Summoning Junction Symbol


Indicates a point in the flowchart where multiple branches converge back into a
single process.

Merge Symbol
Indicates a step where two or more sub-lists or sub-processes become one.

Collate Symbol
Indicates a step that orders information into a standard format.

Sort Symbol
Indicates a step that organizes a list of items into a sequence or sets based on
some pre-determined criteria.

Subroutine Symbol
Indicates a sequence of actions that perform a specific task embedded within a
larger process. This sequence of actions could be described in more detail on a
separate flowchart.

Manual Loop Symbol


Indicates a sequence of commands that will continue to repeat until stopped
manually.

Loop Limit Symbol


Indicates the point at which a loop should stop.

Delay Symbol
Indicates a delay in the process.

Data Storage or Stored Data Symbol


Indicates a step where data gets stored.

Database Symbol
Indicates a list of information with a standard structure that allows for searching
and sorting.

Internal Storage Symbol


Indicates that information was stored in memory during a program, used in
software design flowcharts.

Display Symbol
Indicates a step that displays information.

Off Page
Indicates that the process continues off page.

Quick Tips for Using Flowchart


Symbols
Most of the flowchart symbols shown here are for use in very specific applications,
such as a data flow diagram used for computer programming. Unless you have
specialized knowledge and your diagram is being developed for a peer group with
similar knowledge, it's best to stick to basic flowchart symbols. If more than the
most basic flowchart symbols appear in your diagram, it is good practice to include
a legend or symbol key.
Most flowcharts should be built using only the Start/End and Action or Process
symbols and should follow a very basic set of best practices. Sticking with these
two primary flowchart symbols is the best way to ensure that your diagram will be
easy to understand.

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