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.

Common Flowchart Symbols

Rectangle Shape - Represents a process

Oval or Pill Shape - Represents the start or end

Diamond Shape - Represents a decision

Parallelogram - Represents input/output

 What are the Basic Symbols of a Flowchart?
Start/End Symbol
- The terminator symbol
marks the starting or
ending point of the
system. It usually contains
the word "Start" or "End."
Multiple Documents Symbol
- Represents multiple
documents in the process
- leaving the system, such
Manual Input Symbol
- Represents a step where a
user is prompted to enter
information manually.
-
Action or Process Symbol Document Symbol
- A box can represent a - A printed document or
single step ("add two cups report.
of flour"), or and entire
sub-process ("make
bread") within a larger
process.
Input/output Symbol
Decision Symbol
- Represents material or
- A decision or branching
information entering or
point. Lines representing
different decisions
as customer order (input)
emerge from different
or a product (output).
points of the diamond.
Preparation Symbol Connector Symbol
- Represents a set-up to - Indicates that the flow
another step in the continues where a
process. matching symbol
(containing the same
letter) has been placed.
 Or Symbol Collate Symbol Manual Loop Symbol

- Indicates that the - Indicates a step that - Indicates a sequence of

process flow continues orders information into commands that will
in more than two a standard format. continue to repeat until
branches. stopped manually.

Summoning Junction Sort Symbol Loop Limit Symbol

Symbol
- Indicates a step that - Indicates the point at
- Indicates a point in the organizes a list of items which a loop should
flowchart where into a sequence or sets stop.
multiple branches based on some pre-
converge back into a determined criteria.
single process.

Subroutine Symbol Delay Symbol

Merge Symbol
- Indicates a sequence of
- Indicates a step where
two or more sub-lists or
sub-processes become
one.
- Indicates a delay in the
actions that perform a process.
specific task embedded
within a larger process.
This sequence of actions
could be described in
more detail on a separate
flowchart.
Data Storage or Stored Data Display Symbol
Symbol
- Indicates a step that
- Indicates a step where displays information.
data gets stored.

Database Symbol Off Page

- Indicates a list of - Indicates that the

information with a process continues off
standard structure that page.
allows for searching and
sorting.

Internal Storage Symbol

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