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How to Make Organizational Charts in Google Sheets
Learn how to create organizational charts in Google Sheets, useful for visualizing relationships.
Unsure which chart type to use? Click here to find the right chart for your data and the ideas that you want to convey.
An organizational chart is a type of chart that visualizes the relationship between different items. This is different from other types of charts that we have, as organizational charts visualize qualitative information instead of quantitative information.
In this tutorial, you will learn how to create an organizational chart in Google Sheets, more commonly known as an org chart.
How to format the data for an organizational chart
You will only need two required columns and an optional column:
- The first column is for an entry in an organizational chart. A node will be generated for each entry.
- The second column specifies to whom or what the entry in the first column belongs, also called the parent.
- The third column is an optional column where you can add a description that will appear when you hover your cursor over the node. This is called a tooltip.
If you have multiple levels of hierarchy instead of only two levels, you can simply add additional rows for those entries. For our tutorial we will replicate the following sample organizational chart from LumenLearning:
The information is converted to the spreadsheet:
By default, there is no need for a header row for organizational charts. For our tutorial, however, we will include one so that we can learn the extra step we need to do when there is a header row.
How to make an organizational chart
Step 1: Select the data, then go to Insert in the main menu and select Chart in the drop-down box.
Step 2: Go to the Chart editor sidebar that will appear on the right side, then the Setup tab (which is selected by default), then look for the drop-down box below the Chart type label. A range of options will appear. Select the Organizational chart, located under the Other header.
Here is our initial organizational chart:
As you can see, our headers Entry and Parent appeared as separate entries to the organizational chart. This is because headers are not required in organizational charts. There is an easy fix. On the lower portion of the Chart editor sidebar, Setup tab (the same tab where the Chart type option is placed), there is an option Use row 1 as headers. Tick that option.
The organizational chart now looks like this:
We still need to adjust the chart a bit. Click and drag one of the small blue boxes on the border of the chart until the whole chart appears.
The final organizational chart is shown below.
When you hover your cursor over a node, its accompanying description will appear as a floating text.
You can select a node as well, and it will change color.
How to change the size of the text of the organizational chart
Unlike the capabilities of Microsoft Excel, there are few options to customize an organizational chart in Google Sheets. However, you can change the size of the text. Here are the steps:
Step 1: On the Chart editor sidebar, click Customize tab, then click Org.
Step 2: Click the drop-down box under the label Size. There are three options: Small, Medium, and Large. Select the option you prefer.
You have now changed the size of the organizational chart. As a guide, the below images show what the organizational chart will look like depending on the Size option you choose. The size of the charts have remained the same so that you can compare the size of the text.
Small:
Medium (default option)
Large
How to change the color of the nodes of the org chart
If you have noticed, selecting a node changes its color. We can change that along with the original color as well. Here are the steps:
Step 1: On the Chart editor sidebar, click Customize tab, then click Org.
We can change the color of the node and its color when it is selected. Click the palette below each label, then select the color you want to use:
Here is the result:
Key takeaway
While there is less flexibility in the design of the organizational chart in Google Sheets, the process of creating an organizational chart in Google Sheets is easier compared to that of Excel. If you don’t need fancy styles while making an organizational chart, you may preferGoogle Sheets.
