What Is Microsoft Visio? (All You Need To Know)

Microsoft has so many great programs and services to offer, but it seems that not everyone is fully aware of them all. Indeed, the company has programs and services for nearly every purpose in the world of tech.

That being said, if you’re interested in learning all you can about Microsoft Visio. Whether you’re a complete newbie or have a little bit of knowledge already, you have come to the right place!

What Is Microsoft Visio?

Microsoft Visio can be used to create a variety of different diagrams with either simple or complicated designs in [currentyear]. The program offers many tools to help make your project look great with things like built-in shapes, objects, and stencils. Plus, with a little extra work, you can even make your own shapes and import them right onto your diagram.

If you are interested in learning everything you need to know about Microsoft Visio, including what it’s used for, you’ll want to read on!

What Is the History of Microsoft Visio?

Microsoft Visio first began as a standalone product made by Shapewear Corporation and was released as version 1.0 in 1992.

A pre-release version 0.92 was distributed free of charge on a floppy disk, along with the Microsoft Windows systems readiness evaluation utility. 

In the year 1995, Shapewear corp. Changed its name to Visio Corp in order to take advantage of market recognition and related product equity.

In 2000, Microsoft purchased Visio and rebranded it as an MS Office application. However, it has never been officially included in any of the bundled Office suites. 

The different versions of MS Visio that have been released over the years are listed here:

  • Visio v1.0 (Standard, Lite, Home)
  • Visio v2.0
  • Visio v3.0
  • Visio v4.0 (Standard, Technical)
  • Visio v4.1 (Standard, Technical)
  • Visio v4.5 (Standard, Professional, Technical)
  • Visio v5.0 (Standard, Professional, Technical)
  • Visio 2000 (v6.0; Standard, Professional, Technical, Enterprise) – later updated to SP1 and Microsoft branding after Visio Corporation’s acquisition
  • Visio 2002 (v10.0; Standard, Professional)
  • Visio for Enterprise Architects 2003 (VEA 2003) – based on Visio 2002 and included with Visual Studio .NET 2003 Enterprise Architect edition
  • Office Visio 2003 (v11.0; Standard, Professional)
  • Office Visio for Enterprise Architects 2005 (VEA 2005) – based on Visio 2003 and included with Visual Studio 2005 Team Suite and Team Architect editions
  • Office Visio 2007 (v12.0; Standard, Professional)
  • Visio 2010 (v14.0; Standard, Professional, Premium)
  • Visio 2013 (v15.0; Standard, Professional)
  • Visio 2016 (v16.0; Standard, Professional, Office 365)
  • Visio Online Plan 1 (Web-based editor), Visio Online Plan 2 (Desktop, Office 365)
  • Visio 2019 (v16.0; Standard, Professional)
  • Visio 2021 (Standard, Professional)

There is no Visio versions 7, 8, or 9, the reason being is that after MS acquired and branded the company as its own product, its numbers follow the Office version numbers.

Plus, Visio doesn’t have a macOS version, which has led to the growth of several third-party applications that can be available on macOS products

How Can Microsoft Visio Be Used?

What Is the History of Microsoft Visio?

There are many different ways that Microsoft Visio can be used in order to create professional-looking diagrams. 

Given the cost of the program, a hand-drawn diagram may be perfect for your needs, or you may even want to turn to the basic diagram functions in MS Word. 

You could even use software that is far less expensive or even free.

However, if it’s appropriate for your needs, Visio can be used to make some awesome, useful diagrams of all types.

Plus, you can make your diagrams, presentations, reports, audits, building plans, floor plans, documentation, and modeling projects look as professional as you want.

Visio includes a large variety of different tools to choose from that you can use for many different purposes.

How Do You Plan and Draw a Basic Visio Chart?

If you want to create a basic Visio chart, you’ll want to follow the below steps:

  1. You will need to decide what you’re trying to do on Visio and gather the appropriate details and information for the diagram or chart you wish to create.  Plus, you will want to be sure to decide which type of chart will best illustrate the information for your needs.
  2. In Visio, choose and open the template for your chart type.
  3. Drag and connect the shapes and symbols of your choosing in order to illustrate the information effectively. The different shapes represent different things in the various types of diagrams. They range from simple rectangles, ovals, and arrows to hundreds of highly specialized shapes and symbols.  As well, you can even create and import your own shapes if you find it to be necessary. 
  4. Add your own labels and text to the shapes.
  5. Review your diagram to make sure you’re not missing anything or duplicating anything. If you’re collaborating with others, check each other’s work.

To know more, you can also read our posts on Microsoft BI, Microsoft Cortana, and Microsoft Bitlocker.

Conclusion 

Visio, owned by Microsoft, can be used to create many different varieties of diagrams, whether you have a simple design in mind or a complicated one. 

There are so many tools and features to choose from in order to make your project look great. Plus, if you are not the biggest fan of the shapes provided, you can even create and import your own.

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Florence Howard

Florence Howard has been freelance writing for over a decade, and has a vocational background in retail, tech, and marketing. Outside of work, she enjoys listening to rock and metal, and playing with her dog and cat.

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