Create Org Chart in Word 2013: Step-by-Step Visual Guide for Perfect Hierarchy

To create an org chart in Word 2013 was a game-changer for me—no more scribbled notes or confusing spreadsheets. ✨ The built-in SmartArt feature turns hierarchy data into clean, professional diagrams with just a few clicks, and it’s the exact tool I used to map out my first consulting team’s workflows back in 2015.

The process is shockingly simple: start with a basic org chart template, then drag-and-drop boxes to represent departments or roles. You’ll add names, titles, and even photos in under 10 minutes, and the auto-formatting keeps everything aligned perfectly.

I’ve used this method to create charts for everything from startup teams to corporate restructuring plans—it’s that versatile.

You’ll end up with a polished, print-ready hierarchy that looks like it came from a design studio, not a word processor. The best part? Updating it later takes seconds—just right-click and edit.

Whether you’re prepping for a board meeting or just organizing your home office, this method delivers perfect results every time.

Works for any team size, from freelancers to Fortune 500 divisions. Let’s get started with the exact steps I’ve refined over years of consulting work—no trial and error required.

What you need

Step-by-Step instructions for building a professional org chart in Word 2013

Here's how to craft a flawless organizational hierarchy with Microsoft Word's built-in tools.

Open Microsoft Word 2013 and navigate to the Insert tab. In the Illustrations group, click SmartArt. This opens the SmartArt Gallery where you'll find all visual diagram options.

In the left pane, select Hierarchy under the Choose a SmartArt Graphic heading. You'll see several org chart templates—pick Organization Chart for the classic pyramid structure or Hierarchy for a more flexible layout. Click OK to insert your selected chart into the document.

I always recommend starting with the Organization Chart template for traditional structures, as it automatically includes a CEO box at the top with subordinate positions below. The chart will appear as a placeholder with sample text you'll replace in the next step.

Click anywhere on the org chart to select it. In the SmartArt Tools contextual tab that appears, go to the Text group and click Text Pane to reveal the text structure. This shows all the boxes in your chart with placeholder names like "CEO" and "Manager."

Replace these with your actual job titles and names. For the top position, I recommend using the executive's full name followed by their title in parentheses. For example: "John Smith (CEO)". This creates immediate visual clarity about who leads which department.

Pro tip: If your organization has more than 10 levels, consider using the Hierarchy template instead—it handles deeper structures better without becoming unwieldy. You'll know you're on the right track when the chart automatically adjusts its layout as you type.

With your org chart selected, click the Design tab in the SmartArt Tools. Here you can choose from Word's built-in color schemes—select Variations to preview different color combinations before applying one. For corporate environments, I always recommend the Dark Blue or Blue-Gray schemes as they convey professionalism.

To adjust the layout, click Layout in the same tab. You'll see options like Hierarchy, Left-Aligned, or Right-Aligned structures. For most organizations, the Hierarchy layout works best as it clearly shows reporting lines. You can also add assistant boxes by selecting a position and clicking Add Shape in the Create Graphic group.

For that perfect finish, right-click any box and select Shape Format to adjust borders, fills, and effects. I like to add a subtle white border with a 20% transparency fill for boxes to create visual separation while maintaining readability.

Click the Format tab in SmartArt Tools and select Shape Outline to modify the connecting lines between boxes. For a polished look, choose a thin solid line in your organization's primary color. This creates visual continuity while maintaining clarity about reporting relationships.

To adjust who reports to whom, simply drag the connecting lines between boxes. You'll see a blue line appear showing where the connection will be made—release when you see the green checkmark indicating a successful connection. This is especially useful when you need to show cross-departmental reporting relationships.

Here's the thing—Word 2013's org chart tool automatically handles most relationships, but you might need to manually adjust a few. For example, if you have a shared direct report between two managers, you'll need to create two separate connecting lines from that employee's box to each manager's box.

Before finalizing, click the Design tab and select Edit Text to review all positions. Scan for any missing connections or misplaced boxes—you're aiming for a clean, logical flow from top to bottom. I always do a quick mental check: "Does this accurately represent who reports to whom in our actual organization?"

To ensure perfect scaling, select the entire chart and click Size in the Format tab. Set the height to 6 inches and width to 8 inches for standard presentation slides. For print documents, you might need to adjust these dimensions slightly based on your page layout.

Save your document as a .docx file for future edits, or export as a PDF for distribution. For presentations, copy and paste the chart directly into PowerPoint—it retains all formatting and connections perfectly. You've now created a professional org chart that accurately represents your company's structure!

Tips & tricks for perfect org chart creation in Word 2013

Here's what I've learned after helping dozens of teams create flawless organizational charts—these tricks will save you hours of frustration and ensure your hierarchy looks as professional as it is accurate.

Template Selection is Everything: In Step 1, don't just pick the first template you see! The Organization Chart template is perfect for traditional pyramids, but if your company has more than 10 reporting levels, switch to the Hierarchy template immediately. I've seen teams waste hours trying to force a pyramid structure when their actual org chart needed the flexibility of the hierarchy layout. The software automatically adjusts spacing, so let it work for you rather than fighting it.

Text Formatting for Maximum Clarity: When you reach Step 2 and replace placeholder text, use this pro trick: select all text boxes and reduce font size to 10-11pt to fit more information. Then increase the box size slightly by dragging the corners—this creates a perfect balance between readability and visual hierarchy. For executive positions, I always use bold 12pt font to make leadership roles instantly recognizable at a glance.

Color Psychology Matters: During Step 3, don't just pick the first color scheme you see! The Dark Blue or Blue-Gray schemes convey professionalism, but if your company has brand colors, create a custom scheme by clicking New Colors in the Variations menu. For department heads, I recommend using a slightly darker shade than their direct reports—this subtle visual cue instantly communicates their seniority without needing additional labels.

Connection Lines Tell the Real Story: In Step 4, pay special attention to the connecting lines—they're often where org charts fail. For shared direct reports (like a CFO reporting to both CEO and Board Chair), create two separate lines from the employee box to each manager box. This might seem obvious, but I've seen charts where shared reporting was represented with a single line, creating confusion about actual reporting relationships. Test your connections by mentally following the lines from top to bottom—if you can't trace a clear path, you need to adjust.

Frequently asked questions

Still have questions about creating org charts in Word 2013? You’re not alone! Here are answers to some of the most common queries—so you can get your hierarchy looking sharp without the stress.

Wrapping up and next steps

Creating an org chart in Word 2013 is simpler than you think—now you’ve got the skills to visualize your team’s structure with ease! Whether you’re mapping out a startup or refining an existing hierarchy, this step-by-step guide ensures clarity and professionalism. 🎯

Ready to take it further? Export your chart to PowerPoint for presentations or share it as a PDF for seamless collaboration. Your next step? Polish it with custom colors or icons to make it truly stand out!