Do you know a good software/template for org charts?

August 2, 2017 9:13 AM

I need to make several org charts that are a little bit too complicated for the MS Office "SmartArt" function. What software or templates should I be using?

I am vexed by this, because I really feel like I ought to be able to figure it out, but it's busting my (lady)b*lls.

I need to make several org charts that are pretty large and have lots of sideways dotted-line relationships on top of standard hierarchy.

I want them to look interesting/pretty -- not just plain boxes -- but because of the nature of the business line and the audience they can't be SUPER conceptual/arty. Specifically, I would like to be able to control the colors used.

I know about Visio, but I don't have a license for it and I am so put off by the Word SmartArt mess that I'm not inclined to want to do anything more within the MS universe.

I don't mind paying but would like to stay under $100.

Is there some other fabulous interesting-but-not-too-arty software/template source out there that someone can recommend?

posted by mccxxiii to Computers & Internet (4 answers total)

www.lucidchart.com is what I use. There is a definite learning curve to it, but it got better once I figured out that you need to get all your boxes in place, THEN draw lines to them. If you need to change a relationship, best to erase all the related lines, move the box, then redraw the lines. $5.95 a month when billed monthly for basic plan.
posted by randomkeystrike at 9:16 AM on August 2, 2017 [4 favorites]

I'm not 100% sure it will meet your needs, but Gliffy is what we use at my work, and it's probably the most intuitive diagramming tool I've used. Apparently it's 8 bucks a month for a single user.
posted by thewumpusisdead at 9:29 AM on August 2, 2017

Draw.io can do this. It's free, but pretty no-frills.

Xmind can do this.
posted by Wretch729 at 11:10 AM on August 2, 2017

I used Omnigraffle to chart out workflow for several production processes at my old job, some of which had 20 or 30 steps, and branched off, depending on the final product. The nice thing about it is once you connect two objects by a magnetic line, they stay connected, & the line moves with either object. You can bend the lines with bezier points, turn things colors, add drop shadows, etc. The ones I finished ended up being pretty attractive. Unfortunately, it's Mac OS only.
posted by Devils Rancher at 6:51 PM on August 2, 2017 [1 favorite]