The Flowchart SmartPanel has all the symbols and tools you'll need to create a flowchart.
Adding Symbols
The SmartPanel contains the most commonly used flowchart symbols. You can add them to your diagram 5 different ways:
- Drag and drop: click to select and without letting go of your mouse drag to your drawing area
- Stamp: click to select and click anywhere in your drawing area to add
- Use SmartPanel buttons: select a shape and use the SmartPanel buttons underneath the symbol area to add them in the direction selected
- SmartAction buttons: click the yellow arrow at the side of any shape to add the selected shape from the library in the direction of the arrow connected with a line.
- Ctrl + Arrow keys: hold down the Ctrl key and select any of the arrow keys to add the selected shape from the library in the direction of the arrow.
Creating a Split Path
Hitting one of the split path buttons will add two lines connected at an angle to the currently selected shape in your drawing area and add the currently selected symbol from the library to the end of each line.
You can undo the split, by selecting the original shape where the split occurs and clicking the Join Paths button.
Transform Your Flowchart into a Swimlane Diagram
You'll see the controls to add swimlanes in the SmartPanel to the left of your drawing area.
Create a Vertical Swimlane Diagram
The second swimlane button will add a pool with 4 vertical swimlanes to your diagram.
You'll be able to continue adding shapes and the lanes will automatically expand vertically to accommodate your chart. Adding a shape to the right or left will not expand that swimlane. In a vertical swimlane, the swimlanes will only expand vertically downward to accommodate new shapes.
Create a Horizontal Swimlane Diagram
The third swimlane button will add a pool with 4 horizontal swimlanes to your diagram.
You'll be able to continue adding shapes and the lanes will automatically expand horizontally to accommodate your chart. Adding a shape to the top or bottom, will not expand that swimlane. In a horizontal swimlane, the swimlanes will only expand horizontally to the right to accommodate new shapes.
Change Column Headers
Once you added your swimlane pool, you can select the existing column headers and replace them with your own copy. Click in each row or column header and select the existing "Person/Group" placeholder text and type to replace it with your own divisions.
Add and remove Swimlanes by selecting Add Lane or Remove Lane, respectively, in the SmartPanel.
Remove the Entire Swimlane Pool
If you changed your mind and you don't want to see swimlanes in your flowchart, you can remove all swimlanes without removing the rest of your flowchart by clicking the first button under Swim Lane in the SmartPanel. You'll have every shape in your flowchart without any lanes.
Creating a Sub-Process
You can create a sub-process by clicking the "Create Sub-Process" button. This will open a new page in your document where you can draw another flowchart. This new flowchart will be hyperlinked to the original flowchart from the currently selected shape.
Search for More Flowchart Symbols
To find additional symbols, click on the blue "Search symbols" text at the top of the SmartPanel. This will open the Symbols panel with a search field.
To pin a result or library, click on the three dots and choose either "Add result" or "Add library."
Import Visio Stencils or Create a Custom Library
To import Visio stencils, create a custom library, or import a library, click on the hamburger menu next to Symbols in the SmartPanel and choose the appropriate option.
Style Options for Your Flowchart
Auto Symbol Select
SmartDraw automatically turns any shape into a decision symbol if you add shapes to it in two different directions. If you want to turn off this behavior, uncheck the "Auto Symbol Select" box.
SmartAction Buttons
The SmartAction buttons are the yellow arrows that appear as you hover over any shape in your diagram. Click the yellow arrow in the direction you want to add a shape and SmartDraw will automatically add the currently selected shape in your library and connect it with an automatic connector to the previous shape.
You can turn these buttons off by unchecking the SmartAction Buttons option in your SmartPanel. 
Spacing Your Flowchart
The last option on your Flowchart SmartPanel is about spacing the shapes on your flowchart.
When you add shapes to your flowchart, SmartDraw uses its Intelligent Formatting Engine to make sure that shapes are automatically spaced evenly apart. You can adjust this spacing manually using the controls at the bottom of the SmartPanel.
The default 0.75 spacing:
You can make the chart more compact by reducing the spacing:
You can also adjust the spacing manually using the green arrows inside the shapes. Select a shape and when you see the green arrow appear in the corner click and drag it up and down to adjust the spacing to your liking.
To read the full tutorial on making a flowchart with SmartDraw visit our flowchart how to guide: