Flow Chart
Chart overview
A flow chart is a visual representation of a process or algorithm, using standardized shapes and arrows to simplify complex workflows.
Key points
- It maps out steps, decisions, and data flows in a logical sequence.
- While tools like Visio exist, creating flow charts with code (using Graphviz) ensures consistency, version control, and automation—perfect for documenting software architecture, business processes, and decision logic.
Python Tutorial
How to create a flow chart in Python
Use the full tutorial for implementation details, troubleshooting, and chart variations in matplotlib, seaborn, and plotly.
How to Create a Bar Chart in PythonExample Visualization
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View example prompt
"Create a flow chart illustrating a 'User Registration and Email Verification' process for a web application. Include these steps: Start → 'Enter Email & Password' → Decision: 'Valid Format?' (Yes/No) → If No: 'Show Error' → loop back → If Yes: 'Check if Email Exists' → Decision: 'Already Registered?' → If Yes: 'Redirect to Login' → If No: 'Create Account' → 'Send Verification Email' → 'Wait for Click' → Decision: 'Link Clicked within 24h?' → If No: 'Expire Token' → If Yes: 'Activate Account' → 'Redirect to Dashboard' → End. Use standard flowchart shapes: rectangles for processes, diamonds for decisions, rounded rectangles for start/end. Color-code: green for success paths, red for error paths, blue for user actions."
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Python Code Example
import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import matplotlib.patches as patches
from matplotlib.patches import FancyBboxPatch, Polygon
from matplotlib.path import Path
import matplotlib.patches as mpatches
# Create figure and axis
fig, ax = plt.subplots(figsize=(14, 12))
ax.set_xlim(-12, 12)
ax.set_ylim(-10, 10)
ax.set_aspect('equal')
ax.axis('off')
# Define colors with better contrast
start_color = '#4CAF50'
process_color = '#2196F3'
decision_color = '#FF9800'
end_color = '#F44336'
arrow_color = '#333333'
# Function to draw rectangle with improved styling
def draw_rect(x, y, width, height, text, color, text_color='white'):
rect = FancyBboxPatch((x-width/2, y-height/2), width, height,
boxstyle="round,pad=0.15",
facecolor=color, edgecolor=arrow_color, linewidth=2.5,
alpha=0.9)
ax.add_patch(rect)
ax.text(x, y, text, ha='center', va='center', fontsize=11,
color=text_color, weight='bold', wrap=True, linespacing=1.3)
# Function to draw diamond for decision with improved styling
def draw_diamond(x, y, size, text, color):
diamond = Polygon([(x, y+size), (x+size, y), (x, y-size), (x-size, y)],
facecolor=color, edgecolor=arrow_color, linewidth=2.5,
alpha=0.9)
ax.add_patch(diamond)
ax.text(x, y, text, ha='center', va='center', fontsize=11,
color='white', weight='bold', wrap=True, linespacing=1.3)
# Function to draw arrow with improved styling
def draw_arrow(x1, y1, x2, y2, text=''):
ax.annotate('', xy=(x2, y2), xytext=(x1, y1),
arrowprops=dict(arrowstyle='->', lw=2.5, color=arrow_color,
connectionstyle="arc3,rad=0.1"))
if text:
mid_x, mid_y = (x1+x2)/2, (y1+y2)/2
ax.text(mid_x+0.5, mid_y+0.5, text, fontsize=10,
bbox=dict(boxstyle="round,pad=0.4", facecolor='white',
alpha=0.9, edgecolor=arrow_color, linewidth=1),
weight='bold')
# Draw flow chart with improved spacing
# Start
draw_rect(0, 8.5, 3, 1.2, 'START', start_color)
# Enter Email
draw_rect(0, 6.5, 3.5, 1.4, 'Enter Email\n& Password', process_color)
draw_arrow(0, 7.9, 0, 7.2)
# Check if email exists
draw_diamond(0, 4.5, 1.4, 'Email\nExists?', decision_color)
draw_arrow(0, 5.8, 0, 5.2)
# Email exists - Yes branch
draw_rect(-5, 2.5, 3, 1.4, 'Show Error:\nEmail Already\nRegistered', end_color)
draw_arrow(-1.4, 3.8, -3.5, 3.2, 'Yes')
# Email exists - No branch
draw_rect(5, 2.5, 3, 1.4, 'Create User\nAccount', process_color)
draw_arrow(1.4, 3.8, 3.5, 3.2, 'No')
# Send verification email
draw_rect(5, 0.5, 3, 1.4, 'Send Verification\nEmail', process_color)
draw_arrow(5, 1.8, 5, 1.2)
# Email verification decision
draw_diamond(5, -2, 1.4, 'Email\nVerified?', decision_color)
draw_arrow(5, -0.2, 5, -1.2)
# Email not verified
draw_rect(8, -4.5, 3, 1.4, 'Resend Email\nor Cancel', process_color)
draw_arrow(6.4, -2.8, 8, -3.8, 'No')
# Email verified
draw_rect(0, -4.5, 3, 1.4, 'Activate\nAccount', process_color)
draw_arrow(3.6, -2.8, 0, -3.8, 'Yes')
# Show success message
draw_rect(0, -6.5, 3.5, 1.4, 'Show Success:\nRegistration\nComplete', start_color)
draw_arrow(0, -5.2, 0, -5.8)
# End
draw_rect(0, -8.5, 3, 1.2, 'END', end_color)
draw_arrow(0, -7.2, 0, -7.9)
# Add title with better styling - moved higher
ax.text(0, 9.8, 'User Registration Process Flow',
ha='center', va='center', fontsize=18, weight='bold',
bbox=dict(boxstyle="round,pad=0.5", facecolor='lightgray',
alpha=0.3, edgecolor=arrow_color, linewidth=2))
# Add legend with improved styling
legend_elements = [
mpatches.Patch(color=start_color, label='Start/Success', alpha=0.9),
mpatches.Patch(color=process_color, label='Process', alpha=0.9),
mpatches.Patch(color=decision_color, label='Decision', alpha=0.9),
mpatches.Patch(color=end_color, label='Error/End', alpha=0.9)
]
ax.legend(handles=legend_elements, loc='upper right', bbox_to_anchor=(0.98, 0.92),
framealpha=0.9, edgecolor=arrow_color, fancybox=True, shadow=True)
# Add registration statistics summary box (replacing the bar chart)
plt.tight_layout()
plt.show()
# END-OF-CODEOpens the Analyze page with this code pre-loaded and ready to execute
Console Output
Flowchart created: user_registration_flowchart.png Total Steps: 15 Decision Points: 3 Possible Outcomes: 4 (Success, Error, Already Registered, Expired)
Common Use Cases
- 1Process documentation
- 2Algorithm visualization
- 3Decision tree mapping
- 4User journey flows
Pro Tips
Use standard shapes (rectangles, diamonds, ovals)
Keep flow direction consistent
Number steps for reference
Long-tail keyword opportunities
High-intent chart variations
Library comparison for this chart
graphviz
Useful in specialized workflows that complement core Python plotting libraries for flow-chart analysis tasks.
diagrams
Useful in specialized workflows that complement core Python plotting libraries for flow-chart analysis tasks.
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