Need a quick org chart?

The need for speed

Speed is important, especially when you need to create a visualization quickly. Take organizational charts (org charts)* for example: these can be time-consuming to develop, but luckily draw.io has a few features that enable you to create hierarchical process maps at warp speed.

The Advanced Library

The Advanced Library in draw.io includes a number of layouts, i.e. a container shape consisting of a group of individual shapes, that will help you create hierarchies quickly. These include vertical and horizontal tree and flow layouts.

Hover over a specific container shape to preview an expanded version. Then click on the desired layout, to get started.

Hover over a container shape to preview it, then click on the one you want to work with

When you hover over a particular shape within the layout, four blue directional arrows will appear. Click on an arrow to add a new shape to the layout in that given direction.

Running out of space? No problem! The overall layout will adapt to include the new shape.

Expand your layout by adding new shapes

If you want the option to collapse or expand a container shape, simply head to Extras > Collapse/Expand and check or uncheck this option.

Custom build your org chart

If you already have an idea in mind of the layout that you want your org chart or hierarchical diagram to have, you can quickly custom-build this by heading to Insert > Layout, and select the desired format.

From within this display, you can rename individual shapes and move them around as required.

Click on the blue arrows to add more steps, and double-click on a shape to edit the text

Rearrange an existing org chart

If you have already started building your org chart or other hierarchical processes, the Layout feature will allow you to rearrange a group of shapes, according to a specific format.

Go to Arrange > Layout and then choose a template from the dropdown options.

Selecting a different layout only works with specific diagrams, so it’s worth trying out different layout styles, and using CTRL+Z (Windows) or CMD+Z (Mac) to undo a change, before testing another format.

Try out different layouts, and use CTRL+Z or CMD+Z to undo your last change

As with the container shape example above, use the four blue directional arrows that appear when you hover over a shape, to duplicate the shape in that given direction.

Try out different layouts, and use CTRL+Z or CMD+Z to undo your last change

And that’s it. We would’ve written a longer article about this topic, but with draw.io, it’s just that easy

* For more information on building org charts step-by-step, see our blogpost, How to Create Org Charts in draw.io for Confluence.