Common examples include bar charts, line charts and pie charts. They are used to represent data visually in a way that makes the information being presented easier to understand. Charts & GraphsĪ staple of Excel, but also included in Visio, charts and graphs are seen in almost every business presentation. Mind maps are also known as concept maps.

Mind maps make for effective planning and brainstorming tools. Mind maps are diagrams that show the connection between ideas by grouping and connecting related ideas to the overall topic(s) at hand. Floor plans are also called house plans, blueprints, architectural plans, building plans and schematics. They are used to ensure proper sizing as well as the location of rooms and other items, like furniture, relative to one another.

Floor Plansįloor plans are scaled drawings that show the footprint or cross section of a building or other structure. Organizational charts are also known as hierarchy charts, structure charts and organograms. They can show who reports to who, as well as the overall hierarchy from top to bottom to help with planning and management. Organizational charts, or org charts, show the reporting relationships and hierarchies within an organization. Flowchart is a generic term, and can also include process flows, process maps, work flows and flow diagrams. Flowchartsįlowcharts show a visual sequence of steps and decisions for a process, generally using shapes to show the steps and arrows to show the progression from one step to another. Below are some of the more popular uses for Visio. There are several different types of diagrams you can make using Microsoft Visio. Interestingly enough, Visio released versions 12 and 14, but never a version 13 due to superstitious fears surrounding the number 13. There have been approximately 16 versions of Visio released since its inception. In 2000, Microsoft acquired Visio (the company and the software) in a stock swap, with the deal estimated to be worth $1.5 billion at the time, making it Microsoft's largest acquisition of the time.

As Visio software grew in popularity and recognition, Shapeware changed their name in 1995 to the Visio Corporation to match their burgeoning diagramming software. Visio was the first product shipped by Shapeware, as the company had only incorporated 3 years earlier in 1989. Visio version 1.0 was released in 1992 by the Shapeware Corporation.

Visio online