Select one of the blank Flowchart templates in the Flowchart category in the Template dialog.
Flowchart vs Flowchart (Manual) Templates
As you can see above, SmartDraw comes with two basic types of flowchart templates.
The first is our standard template simply named Flowchart and this will use SmartDraw's built-in automation. The second we call Flowchart (Manual) to describe a line draw style of building diagrams most familiar to Visio® and Lucidchart users. Let's go over the differences between them in a little more detail.
The Standard Flowchart Template
The standard Flowchart template will use SmartDraw's intelligent formatting engine to help you create your diagram. This will let you build your flowchart the fastest using buttons and keyboard commands.
You'll be able to quickly add any selected shape from the library using the Add Right, Left, Down, Up buttons on the SmartPanel or holding down Ctrl and the arrow keys.
When you add shapes this way, shapes are always equidistant and perfectly aligned.
All the shapes you add will remain aligned and connected even as you edit, move, and delete them. You'll never have to draw a line manually between shapes. In just a few minutes, you can build a complex flowchart.
Learn more about building flowcharts using the controls available in the standard template.
The Manual Flowchart Template
The Flowchart (Manual) template offers an alternative to intelligent formatting and gives you more flexibility if you want to create a unique, technical diagram.
Instead of using buttons and keyboard shortcuts, with the manual template, you can add shapes by simply drawing lines.
To add a line and connect to a new symbol, click on one of the yellow dots at the perimeter of a selected shape already on the page, draw a line, and choose a new symbol from the auto-prompt menu of common flowchart symbols.
This menu is intelligent and will populate with the last 6 symbols you've used in your diagram, so you'll always have the right symbols at your fingertips.
When drawing this way, you'll have more control over how long and segmented your lines are and where you add shapes. The resulting diagram will be more free-form.
Like other connecting lines in SmartDraw, you can still insert a new shape on an existing line by dragging it to the line from the symbol library. The line will automatically split and connect the new shape.
This style of drawing may seem familiar if you've used Visio® and Lucidchart in the past.
Learn more about making flowcharts using a manual template.
Swimlane Flowcharts
If you need to make swimlane flowchart, you can turn either a manual or standard flowchart template into a swimlane diagram using the options in the SmartPanel to the left of your drawing area.
Learn more about swimlane flowcharts.