Descriptions of SmartArt graphics

Basic Block List

Use to show non-sequential or grouped blocks of information. Maximizes both horizontal and vertical display space for shapes.

Bending Picture Accent List

Use to show non-sequential or grouped blocks of information. The small circular shapes are designed to contain pictures. Works well for illustrating both Level 1 and Level 2 text. Maximizes both horizontal and vertical display space for shapes.

Continuous Picture List

Use to show groups of interconnected information. The circular shapes are designed to contain pictures.

Detailed Process

Use with large amounts of Level 2 text to show a progression through stages.

Grouped List

Use to show groups and sub-groups of information, or steps and sub-steps in a task, process, or workflow. Level 1 text corresponds to the top-level horizontal shapes, and Level 2 text corresponds to vertical sub-steps under each related top-level shape. Works well for emphasizing sub-groups or sub-steps, hierarchical information, or multiple lists of information.

Hierarchy List

Use to show hierarchical relationships progressing across groups. Can also be used to group or list information.

Horizontal Bullet List

Use to show non-sequential or grouped lists of information. Works well with large amounts of text. All text has the same level of emphasis, and direction is not implied.

Horizontal Picture List

Use to show non-sequential or grouped information with an emphasis on related pictures. The top shapes are designed to contain pictures.

Picture Accent List

Use to show grouped or related information. The small shapes on the upper corners are designed to contain pictures. Emphasizes Level 2 text over Level 1 text, and is a good choice for large amounts of Level 2 text.

Picture Caption List

Use to show non-sequential or grouped blocks of information. The top shapes are designed to contain pictures and pictures are emphasized over text. Works well for pictures with short text captions.

Pyramid List

Use to show proportional, interconnected, or hierarchical relationships. Text appears in the rectangular shapes on top of the pyramid background.

Segmented Process

Use to show a progression or sequential steps in a task, process, or workflow. Emphasizes Level 2 text, since each line appears in a separate shape.

Stacked List

Use to show groups of information or steps in a task, process, or workflow. Circular shapes contain Level 1 text, and the corresponding rectangles contain Level 2 text. Works well for numerous details and minimal Level 1 text.

Table Hierarchy

Use to show groups of information built from top to bottom, and the hierarchies within each group. This layout does not contain connecting lines.

Table List

Use to show grouped or related information of equal value. The first Level 1 line of text corresponds to the top shape and its Level 2 text is used for the subsequent lists.

Target List

Use to show interrelated or overlapping information. Each of the first seven lines of Level 1 text appears in the rectangular shape. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts. Works well with both Level 1 and Level 2 text.

Trapezoid List

Use to show grouped or related information of equal value. Works well with large amounts of text.

Vertical Box List

Use to show several groups of information, especially groups with large amounts of Level 2 text. A good choice for bulleted lists of information.

Vertical Block List

Use to show groups of information or steps in a task, process, or workflow. Works well with large amounts of Level 2 text. A good choice for text with a main point and multiple sub-points.

Vertical Bullet List

Use to show non-sequential or grouped blocks of information. Works well for lists with long headings or top-level information.

Vertical Chevron List

Use to show a progression or sequential steps in a task, process, or workflow, or to emphasize movement or direction. Emphasizes Level 2 text over Level 1 text, and is a good choice for large amounts of Level 2 text.

Vertical Picture Accent List

Use to show non-sequential or grouped blocks of information. The small circles are designed to contain pictures.

Vertical Picture List

Use to show non-sequential or grouped blocks of information. The small shapes on the left are designed to contain pictures.

Vertical Arrow List

Use to show a progression or sequential steps in a task, process, or workflow that move toward a common goal. Works well for bulleted lists of information.

Accent Process

Use to show a progression, a timeline, or sequential steps in a task, process, or workflow. Works well for illustrating both Level 1 and Level 2 text.

Alternating Flow

Use to show groups of information or sequential steps in a task, process, or workflow. Emphasizes the interaction or relationships among the groups of information.

Arrow Ribbon

Use to show either related or contrasting concepts with some connection, such as opposing forces. The first two lines of Level 1 text are used for text in the arrows. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Basic Bending Process

Use to show a progression or sequential steps in a task, process, or workflow. Maximizes both horizontal and vertical display space for shapes.

Basic Chevron Process

Use to show a progression; a timeline; sequential steps in a task, process, or workflow; or to emphasize movement or direction. Level 1 text appears inside an arrow shape while Level 2 text appears below the arrow shapes.

Basic Process

Use to show a progression or sequential steps in a task, process, or workflow.

Basic Timeline

Use to show sequential steps in a task, process, or workflow, or to show timeline information. Works well with both Level 1 and Level 2 text.

Chevron List

Use to show a progression through several processes that make up an overall workflow. Also works for illustrating contrasting processes. The Level 1 text corresponds to the first arrow shape on the left, while the Level 2 text corresponds to horizontal sub-steps for each shape that contains Level 1 text.

Circular Bending Process

Use to show a long or non-linear sequence or steps in a task, process, or workflow. Works best with Level 1 text only. Maximizes both horizontal and vertical display space for shapes.

Closed Chevron Process

Use to show a progression, a timeline, or sequential steps in a task, process, or workflow, or to emphasize movement or direction. Can be used to emphasize information in the starting shape. Works best with Level 1 text only.

Continuous Arrow Process

Use to show a timeline or sequential steps in a task, process, or workflow. Works best with Level 1 text because each line of Level 1 text appears inside the arrow shape. Level 2 text appears outside the arrow shape.

Continuous Block Process

Use to show a progression or sequential steps in a task, process, or workflow. Works best with minimal Level 1 and Level 2 text.

Continuous Picture List

Use to show groups of interconnected information. The circular shapes are designed to contain pictures.

Converging Arrows

Use to show ideas or concepts that converge to a central point. Works best with Level 1 text only.

Detailed Process

Use with large amounts of Level 2 text to show a progression through stages.

Diverging Arrows

Use to show ideas or concepts that progress outward from a central source. Works best with Level 1 text only.

Equation

Use to show sequential steps or tasks that depict a plan or result. The last Level 1 line of text appears after the equals sign (=).Works best with Level 1 text only.

Funnel

Use to show the filtering of information or how parts merge into a whole. Emphasizes the final outcome. Can contain up to four lines of Level 1 text; the last of these four Level 1 text lines appears below the funnel and the other lines correspond to a circular shape. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Gear

Use to show interlocking ideas. Each of the first three lines of Level 1 text corresponds to a gear shape, and their corresponding Level 2 text appears in rectangles next to the gear shape. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Opposing Arrows

Use to show two opposing ideas, or ideas that diverge from a central point. Each of the first two lines of Level 1 text corresponds to an arrow. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Picture Accent Process

Use to show sequential steps in a task, process, or workflow. The rectangular shapes in the background are designed to contain pictures.

Process Arrows

Use to show information illustrating a process or workflow. Level 1 text appears in the circular shapes and Level 2 text appears in the arrow shapes. Works best for minimal text and to emphasize movement or direction.

Process List

Use to show multiple groups of information or steps and sub-steps in a task, process, or workflow. Level 1 text corresponds to the top horizontal shapes, and Level 2 text corresponds to vertical sub-steps under each related top-level shape.

Repeating Bending Process

Use to show a progression or sequential steps in a task, process, or workflow. Maximizes both horizontal and vertical display space for shapes.

Segmented Process

Use to show a progression or sequential steps in a task, process, or workflow. Emphasizes Level 2 text, since each line appears in a separate shape.

Staggered Process

Use to show a downward progression through stages. Each of the first five lines of Level 1 text corresponds with a rectangle. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Upward Arrow

Use to show a progression or steps that trend upward in a task, process, or workflow. Each of the first five lines of Level 1 text corresponds to a point on the arrow. Works best with minimal text. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Vertical Arrow List

Use to show a progression or sequential steps in a task, process, or workflow that move toward a common goal. Works well for bulleted lists of information.

Vertical Bending Process

Use to show a progression or sequential steps in a task, process, or workflow. Maximizes both horizontal and vertical display space for shapes. Places more emphasis on the interrelationships among the shapes than on direction or movement.

Vertical Chevron List

Use to show a progression or sequential steps in a task, process, or workflow, or to emphasize movement or direction. Emphasizes Level 2 text over Level 1 text, and is a good choice for large amounts of Level 2 text.

Vertical Equation

Use to show sequential steps or tasks that depict a plan or result. The last Level 1 line of text appears after the arrow. Works best with Level 1 text only.

Vertical Process

Use to show a progression or sequential steps in a task, process, or workflow from top to bottom. Works best with Level 1 text, since the vertical space is limited.

Basic Cycle

Use to represent a continuing sequence of stages, tasks, or events in a circular flow. Emphasizes the stages or steps rather than the connecting arrows or flow. Works best with Level 1 text only.

Basic Pie

Use to show how individual parts form a whole. The first seven lines of Level 1 text correspond to the evenly distributed wedge or pie shapes. The top Level 1 text shape appears outside of the rest of the pie for emphasis. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Basic Radial

Use to show the relationship to a central idea in a cycle. The first line of Level 1 text corresponds to the central shape, and its Level 2 text corresponds to the surrounding circular shapes. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Block Cycle

Use to represent a continuing sequence of stages, tasks, or events in a circular flow. Emphasizes the stages or steps rather than the connecting arrows or flow.

Continuous Cycle

Use to represent a continuing sequence of stages, tasks, or events in a circular flow. Emphasizes the connection between all components. Works best with Level 1 text only.

Cycle Matrix

Use to show the relationship to a central idea in a cyclical progression. Each of the first four lines of Level 1 text corresponds to a wedge or pie shape, and Level 2 text appears in a rectangular shape to the side of the wedge or pie shape. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Diverging Radial

Use to show relationships to a central idea in a cycle. The first Level 1 line of text corresponds to the central circular shape. Emphasizes the surrounding circles rather than the central idea. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Gear

Use to show interlocking ideas. Each of the first three lines of Level 1 text corresponds to a gear shape, and their corresponding Level 2 text appears in rectangles next to the gear shape. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Multidirectional Cycle

Use to represent a continuing sequence of stages, tasks, or events that can occur in any direction.

Nondirectional Cycle

Use to represent a continuing sequence of stages, tasks, or events in a circular flow. Each shape has the same level of importance. Works well when direction does not need to be indicated.

Radial Cycle

Use to show the relationship to a central idea. Emphasizes both information in the center circle and how information in the outer ring of circles contributes to the central idea. The first Level 1 line of text corresponds to the central circle, and its Level 2 text corresponds to the outer ring of circles. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Radial Venn

Use to show both overlapping relationships and the relationship to a central idea in a cycle. The first line of Level 1 text corresponds to the central shape and the lines of Level 2 text correspond to the surrounding circular shapes. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Segmented Cycle

Use to show a progression or a sequence of stages, tasks, or events in a circular flow. Emphasizes the interconnected pieces. Each of the first seven lines of Level 1 text corresponds to a wedge or pie shape. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Text Cycle

Use to represent a continuing sequence of stages, tasks, or events in a circular flow. Emphasizes the arrows or flow rather than the stages or steps. Works best with Level 1 text only.

Hierarchy

Use to show hierarchical relationships progressing from top to bottom.

Hierarchy List

Use to show hierarchical relationships progressing across groups. Can also be used to group or list information.

Horizontal Hierarchy

Use to show hierarchical relationships progressing horizontally. Works well for decision trees.

Horizontal Labeled Hierarchy

Use to show hierarchical relationships progressing horizontally and grouped hierarchically. Emphasizes heading or level 1 text. The first line of Level 1 text appears in the shape at the beginning of the hierarchy, and the second and all subsequent lines of Level 1 text appear at the top of the tall rectangles.

Labeled Hierarchy

Use to show hierarchical relationships progressing from top to bottom and grouped hierarchically. Emphasizes heading or level 1 text. The first line of Level 1 text appears in the shape at the beginning of the hierarchy, and all subsequent lines of Level 1 text appear to the left of the tall rectangles.

Organization Chart

Use to show hierarchical information or reporting relationships in an organization. The assistant shape and the Org Chart hanging layouts are available with this layout.

Table Hierarchy

Use to show groups of information built from top to bottom, and the hierarchies within each group. This layout does not contain connecting lines.

Arrow Ribbon

Use to show either related or contrasting concepts with some connection, such as opposing forces. The first two lines of Level 1 text are used for text in the arrows. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Balance

Use to compare or show the relationship between two ideas. Each of the first two lines of Level 1 text corresponds to text at the top of one side of the center point. Emphasizes Level 2 text, which is limited to four shapes on each side of the center point. The balance tips towards the side with the most shapes containing Level 2 text. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Basic Pie

Use to show how individual parts form a whole. The first seven lines of Level 1 text correspond to the evenly distributed wedge or pie shapes. The top Level 1 text shape appears outside of the rest of the pie for emphasis. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Basic Radial

Use to show the relationship to a central idea in a cycle. The first line of Level 1 text corresponds to the central shape, and its Level 2 text corresponds to the surrounding circular shapes. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Basic Target

Use to show containment, gradations, or hierarchical relationships. The first five lines of Level 1 text are associated with a circle. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Basic Venn

Use to show overlapping or interconnected relationships. The first seven lines of Level 1 text correspond with a circle. If there are four or fewer lines of Level 1 text, the text is inside the circles. If there are more than four lines of Level 1 text, the text is outside of the circles. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Continuous Picture List

Use to show groups of interconnected information. The circular shapes are designed to contain pictures.

Converging Arrows

Use to show ideas or concepts that converge to a central point. Works best with Level 1 text only.

Converging Radial

Use to show relationships of concepts or components to a central idea in a cycle. The first line of Level 1 text corresponds to the central circular shape and the lines of Level 2 text correspond to the surrounding rectangular shapes. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Counterbalance Arrows

Use to show two opposing ideas or concepts. Each of the first two lines of Level 1 text corresponds to an arrow and works well with Level 2 text. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Cycle Matrix

Use to show the relationship to a central idea in a cyclical progression. Each of the first four lines of Level 1 text corresponds to a wedge or pie shape, and Level 2 text appears in a rectangular shape to the side of the wedge or pie shape. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Diverging Arrows

Use to show ideas or concepts that progress outward from a central source. Works best with Level 1 text only.

Diverging Radial

Use to show relationships to a central idea in a cycle. The first Level 1 line of text corresponds to the central circular shape. Emphasizes the surrounding circles rather than the central idea. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Equation

Use to show sequential steps or tasks that depict a plan or result. The last Level 1 line of text appears after the equals sign (=).Works best with Level 1 text only.

Funnel

Use to show the filtering of information or how parts merge into a whole. Emphasizes the final outcome. Can contain up to four lines of Level 1 text; the last of these four Level 1 text lines appears below the funnel and the other lines correspond to a circular shape. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Gear

Use to show interlocking ideas. Each of the first three lines of Level 1 text corresponds to a gear shape, and their corresponding Level 2 text appears in rectangles next to the gear shape. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Grouped List

Use to show groups and sub-groups of information, or steps and sub-steps in a task, process, or workflow. Level 1 text corresponds to the top-level horizontal shapes, and Level 2 text corresponds to vertical sub-steps under each related top-level shape. Works well for emphasizing sub-groups or sub-steps, hierarchical information, or multiple lists of information.

Hierarchy List

Use to show hierarchical relationships progressing across groups. Can also be used to group or list information.

Linear Venn

Use to show overlapping relationships in a sequence. Works best with Level 1 text only.

Nested Target

Use to show containment relationships. Each of the first three lines of Level 1 text correspond to the upper left text in the shapes, and Level 2 text corresponds to the smaller shapes. Works best with minimal Level 2 lines of text. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Nondirectional Cycle

Use to represent a continuing sequence of stages, tasks, or events in a circular flow. Each shape has the same level of importance. Works well when direction does not need to be indicated.

Opposing Arrows

Use to show two opposing ideas, or ideas that diverge from a central point. Each of the first two lines of Level 1 text corresponds to an arrow. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Picture Accent List

Use to show grouped or related information. The small shapes on the upper corners are designed to contain pictures. Emphasizes Level 2 text over Level 1 text, and is a good choice for large amounts of Level 2 text.

Radial Cycle

Use to show the relationship to a central idea. Emphasizes both information in the center circle and how information in the outer ring of circles contributes to the central idea. The first Level 1 line of text corresponds to the central circle, and its Level 2 text corresponds to the outer ring of circles. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Radial List

Use to show relationships to a central idea in a cycle. The center shape can contain a picture. Level 1 text appears in the smaller circles and any related Level 2 text appears to the side of the smaller circles.

Radial Venn

Use to show both overlapping relationships and the relationship to a central idea in a cycle. The first line of Level 1 text corresponds to the central shape and the lines of Level 2 text correspond to the surrounding circular shapes. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Segmented Pyramid

Use to show containment, proportional, or interconnected relationships. The first nine lines of Level 1 text appear in the triangular shapes. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts. Works best with Level 1 text only.

Stacked Venn

Use to show overlapping relationships. A good choice for emphasizing growth or gradation. Works best with Level 1 text only. The first seven lines of Level 1 text correspond to a circular shape. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Table Hierarchy

Use to show groups of information built from top to bottom, and the hierarchies within each group. This layout does not contain connecting lines.

Target List

Use to show interrelated or overlapping information. Each of the first seven lines of Level 1 text appears in the rectangular shape. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts. Works well with both Level 1 and Level 2 text.

Vertical Equation

Use to show sequential steps or tasks that depict a plan or result. The last Level 1 line of text appears after the arrow. Works best with Level 1 text only.

Basic Matrix

Use to show the relationship of components to a whole in quadrants. The first four lines of Level 1 text appear in the quadrants. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Grid Matrix

Use to show the placement of concepts along two axes. Emphasizes the individual components rather than the whole. The first four lines of Level 1 text appear in the quadrants. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Titled Matrix

Use to show the relationships of four quadrants to a whole. The first line of Level 1 text corresponds to the central shape, and the first four lines of Level 2 text appear in the quadrants. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts.

Basic Pyramid

Use to show proportional, interconnected, or hierarchical relationships with the largest component on the bottom and narrowing up. Level 1 text appears in the pyramid segments and Level 2 text appears in shapes alongside each segment.

Inverted Pyramid

Use to show proportional, or interconnected, or hierarchical relationships with the largest component on the top and narrowing down. Level 1 text appears in the pyramid segments and Level 2 text appears in shapes alongside each segment.

Pyramid List

Use to show proportional, interconnected, or hierarchical relationships. Text appears in the rectangular shapes on top of the pyramid background.

Segmented Pyramid

Use to show containment, proportional, or interconnected relationships. The first nine lines of Level 1 text appear in the triangular shapes. Unused text does not appear, but remains available if you switch layouts. Works best with Level 1 text only.