How to make a flowchart in Google Docs

People everywhere use Google Docs to share their content and collaborate in real time. But text alone doesn't always adequately convey ideas or information.

Flowcharts and other visuals add interest to text-heavy documents and help readers understand your message quickly, so it's understandable why you'd want to add a flowchart into those documents.

Learn how to make a flowchart in Google Docs with these two options:

Use Lucidchart to automatically add a flowchart
Use Google Drawings to manually build a flowchart

Both of these options are free to use, but after comparing the two, you will find that our flowchart maker offers the best value for quickly making professional diagrams that are always accessible and easy to share. See how these two approaches of making a flowchart in Google Docs stack up.

Option #1: Use Lucidchart to add flowcharts in Google Docs

Because Lucidchart is fully integrated with Google Workspace, you can easily insert diagrams you've already created in Lucidchart into your document. You can also use our free Google Docs add-on to start a brand-new flowchart—Lucidchart offers hundreds of templates that you can quickly customize from our intuitive user interface.

Before you make a flowchart in Google Docs manually, consider using the Lucidchart add-on to save you time and enjoy greater flexibility.

How to install the Lucidchart add-on for Google Docs

First you'll need to download the Lucidchart add-on for Google Docs if you haven't already. Simply follow these steps:

1. Open a Google Doc.
2. Navigate to the Extensions tab.
3. Select Add-ons > Get add-ons.
4. Find and select Lucidchart.
5. Give Lucidchart permission to access Google Docs.
6. Log in to Lucidchart and give Google Docs permission to access your documents.

Install the Lucidchart add-on

How to insert an existing flowchart into Google Docs with the add-on

With this add-on, you can insert your flowchart as a high-resolution image without leaving Google Docs.

1. From your Google Doc, navigate to the right-hand sidebar and click the Lucidchart icon.
2. Click "Browse Documents."
3. Choose your diagram from the list.
4. A preview will appear. Click "Select."
5. If you edit your flowchart, navigate back to the right-hand Lucidchart sidebar and click “Update Images” to ensure that your flowchart is up to date and accurate.

How to create a new flowchart in Google Docs with the add-on

Haven't created your flowchart yet? No problem. Our Google Docs add-on will also give you instant access to the Lucidchart editor to create and edit diagrams.

1. From your Google Doc, navigate to the right-hand sidebar and click the Lucidchart icon.
2. Click "Create New."
3. Start editing the blank document or choose a basic flowchart template to customize.
4. Drag and drop shapes and edit text to create your flowchart within the Lucidchart editor.
5. When you're finished, return to your Google Doc and select your newly created flowchart in the sidebar.

Option #2: Use Google Drawings to make a flowchart in Google Docs

Google Drawings is the native app for building flowcharts in Google Docs. It requires no setup but is difficult to use when you need to build large, professional diagrams. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Open a Google Doc.
2. Select Insert > Drawing > New.
3. Use the shape icon to add flowchart shapes and the lines icon to connect them.
4. When you're finished, click "Save and Close." 

Now you can build a very simple flowchart that will appear in your Google Doc document with this manual approach, but Google Drawings isn’t as intuitive or easy to use as Lucidchart.

Note: If you’re wondering how to make a flowchart in Google Drive to insert into Google Docs, it’s a similar process. You’d follow these steps:

1. Open Google Drive. 
2. Click “+ New” in the left-hand corner.
3. Select More > Google Drawings.
4. Create your flowchart in Google Drawings.
5. Navigate back to your Google Doc.
6. Select Insert > Drawing > From Drive.

Why choose Lucidchart to create a flowchart in Google Docs

Although you can make a flowchart in Google Docs without installing an add-on, Lucidchart offers a number of distinct advantages over Google Drawings.

• Intelligent diagramming: In Google Drawings, every shape and line must be drawn individually, which takes more time and can leave your flowchart looking unpolished. Our visual workspace was built for better diagramming—drag and drop shapes and use auto-prompts and guides to build faster and keep shapes aligned. Assisted layout intuitively arranges shapes and lines automatically so your document looks professional and polished without manual tweaking.
• 1,000+ templates: Google Drawings requires you to start from scratch. In Lucidchart, you can browse through a full template library, including flowcharts for various use cases. Lucidchart also contains extensive shape libraries, so you can create mind maps, Venn diagrams, UML diagrams, and other visuals beyond flowcharts.
• Ability to share outside of Google Docs: When you create a flowchart using Google Drawings, it stays in Google Docs. With Lucidchart, you'll create a document that you can share directly with collaborators or include within other popular apps, such as Slack, Confluence, Google Slides, and Google Sheets. Alternatively, if you already have data in Google product, such as Google Sheet, you can also create a flowchart directly in Google Sheets.

Frequently asked questions

Can I create a flowchart directly in Google Docs?
Yes, you can use Google Drawings by selecting Insert > Drawing > New, then add shapes and connectors to build your flowchart manually.

How do I install the Lucidchart add-on for Google Docs?
Open a Google Doc, navigate to Extensions > Add-ons > Get add-ons, find and select Lucidchart, then give the necessary permissions to access Google Docs.

Can I insert an existing Lucidchart flowchart into Google Docs?
Yes, click the Lucidchart icon in the right-hand sidebar, select Browse documents, choose your diagram, and click Select to insert it as a high-resolution image.

How do I edit a flowchart after inserting it into Google Docs?
If using Lucidchart, edit your diagram in Lucidchart and click Update images in the sidebar to refresh it in your document.

What are the advantages of using Lucidchart over Google Drawings?
Lucidchart offers intelligent diagramming with Lucid AI that can help users generate diagrams, assisted layout, over 1,000 templates, and the ability to share flowcharts across multiple platforms like Slack, Confluence, and Google Sheets.

Can I create a new flowchart from within Google Docs using Lucidchart?
Yes, click the Lucidchart icon in the sidebar, select Create New, and use the Lucidchart editor to build your flowchart from scratch or customize a template.

Does Google Docs have flowchart templates?
Google Drawings requires you to start from scratch, but Lucidchart provides access to over 1,000 templates, including various flowcharts.

Can I create a flowchart in Google Drive to use in Google Docs?
Yes. Open Google Drive, click + New, select More > Google Drawings, create your flowchart, then insert it into Google Docs via Insert > Drawing > From Drive.