off-page references. Merge (Storage of raw materials) Flowchart: Shows the merging of multiple processes or information into one.

Process Mapping: commonly indicates storage of raw materials. Flowchart: Shows when a process splits into parallel paths. Also commonly indicates a Measurement, with a capital 'M' inside the symbol. Process Mapping: commonly indicates storage of finished goods. 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 outgoing flow lines to indicate the criteria to follow each branch. The logical Summing Junction flowchart shape is shows 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.

Extract (Measurement) Split or Measurement (Storage of finished goods) Or

Summing Junction

Input and Output Symbols Data (I/O) The Data flowchart shape indicates inputs to and outputs from a process. As such, the shape is more often referred to as an I/O shape than a Data shape. Pretty self explanatory - the Document flowchart symbol is for a process step that produces a document. Same as Document, except, well, multiple documents. This shape is not as commonly used as the Document flowchart shape, even when multiple documents are implied. Indicates a process step where information is displayed to a person (e.g., PC user, machine operator). Manual Input flowchart shapes show process steps where the operator/ user is prompted for information that must be manually input into a system.

Document

Multi-Document

Display

Manual Input

Grouping the Flowchart Shapes

Click and drag the Corner corner sizing handle for the shapes after they've been grouped. As you drag the handle, the two-headed arrow pointer becomes a crosshairs pointer and you see the shapes getting smaller. To size the flowchart: To reduce chart size, drag a corner sizing handle inward. You can size the flowchart and press SHIFT as you drag to maintain the chart's aspect ratio. You might need to make the entire chart larger or smaller or move it elsewhere in the document. To size the entire chart, you group all the shapes and connectors into one shape, and then drag a corner sizing handle (two-headed arrow pointer ) to make the whole chart smaller or larger. Note: The font will not automatically resize, so you'll probably have to reduce or enlarge it (see Tips, below). To move the chart, keep it grouped, point to an edge and look for the four-headed arrow pointer Click on the four-headed arrow pointer and then drag to move the whole thing. ,.
Formatted: Font: Bold

Tips
To quickly access the Group command, do the following: With everything selected, right-click any selected shape and point to Grouping on the shortcut menu. When dragging to resize the chart, press SHIFT and drag from a corner to maintain the aspect ratio. To resize the font, keep the chart grouped, and change the font size in the Font dialog box (Format menu). Use the Ungroup command to make everything individual again. (Group and Ungroup are on the Drawing Tools - Format contextual tab as well as the shortcut menu.)

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