Google’s free online service Office Suite is not just made up of the well-known Google Docs (application for communal word processing), Google Spreadsheets (communal spreadsheets), Google Calendar, and e-mail service Gmail, but also includes the visualisation software Google Drawings. As with all of these Google programmes, you must first log in to be able to access the software. Available over a classic Google web frontend, this Microsoft Visio alternative will automatically save your projects in Google Drive – as it does with all docs, tables, or calendar entries. This means it requires a working internet connection and browser. On Android and iOS mobile devices, the programme can be accessed through the Google Drive app, which is downloadable from the Google Play and App Stores. Google chrome also features a plug-in, which makes it possible to work with the tool in an offline capacity.
Alongside an extensive selection of shapes, arrows and symbols, Google Drawings also features curved and angled (“Elbow”) connectors; both of which will further aid your project. In addition, there are also four ready-made diagram templates; bar charts, histograms, pie charts, and line graphs. These can be accessed with one single click, and can also correlate data from Google Spreadsheets. Tables can be easily incorporated into your diagrams or flowcharts. Once the required amount of lines and columns has been specified, the drag-and-drop function makes it easy to transfer the table to the desired position. Other features offered by this online alternative to Microsoft Visio include:
- Spell-checker, including custom dictionary
- Integrated search tool for facts/images from Google Drive and internet
- Numerous simplified keyboard shortcuts
- Range of special characters, symbols, and icons available for text fields
- Edits visible for all users