How To Make a Decision Tree in Microsoft PowerPoint

You might be surprised to learn that a good choice for creating these decision trees is through PowerPoint. This is especially helpful when presenting a decision tree to your team or clients. In this article, you’ll learn how to create decision trees with Microsoft PowerPoint and other tools to help you.

How To Make a Basic Decision Tree in Microsoft PowerPoint

You might be wondering how you can create a decision tree in PowerPoint. After all, it’s an app that’s mostly used for presentations. But, like all other Office apps, it has the SmartArt feature that serves as a stepping stone for diagramming in the app.

Step 1: Open a Template

Access SmartArt. There are two different ways to do this within PowerPoint:

From the navigation bar, click the Insert tab from the top menu, then look for SmartArt.

After creating a new slide, you’ll see several icons in the editing section in a new slide. Click the SmartArt button looking like a big arrow with a square with lines inside it.

After accessing SmartArt, go to Hierarchy. Select a decision tree or flowchart template that you like.

Step 2: Edit Text

Click the text in any shape to edit it or the Smart Art Text window. Here are some basic things when it comes to making decision trees:

Type your main decision or question in the top box.

Fill in the next levels with your options, outcomes, and other options or decisions.

Step 3: Add or Remove Shapes

A decision tree will likely have different branches or layouts. To make the template your own, learn how to add or remove shapes.

Add Shapes

Add new shapes to your decision tree. There are four main ways:

Click Insert > Shapes from the top menu. Click and drag on your slide to draw the shape.

With your SmartArt selected, go to the SmartArt Tools > Design tab. In the Create Graphic group, click Add Shape. Choose where you want to add the shape (before, after, above, or below).

Add a bullet point in the text pane. Open the Text Pane if it’s not already visible. Place your cursor at the end of a line and press Enter to create a new bullet point.

This will automatically add a new shape to your decision tree.

Another option is just to copy and paste an existing shape.

Remove Shapes

Press the Delete or Backspace button to delete any shape or elements that you don’t like from the template. Alternatively, you can use the - button on the Text Pane.

Step 4: Change Style

Lastly, you can customize the appearance or style of your decision tree.

Option 1: Format Menu

You can singly change a shape in your decision tree using the Format pane or menu. Use the Fill or Line options to change the appearance of one part of your decision tree.

Option 2: One-Click Change

Select your entire SmartArt graphic. Go to SmartArt Design and select from the Fill colors or other customization options. You can also use the Layout provided to change the decision tree’s format or style.

How To Make a Professional Decision Tree in PowerPoint

Of course, creating a basic decision tree in PowerPoint will get the job done in many situations. However, this section will provide some advanced tips or steps if you need a more professional approach. While there’s no specific way to create a professional-looking decision tree in PowerPoint, the following guide can help you in the right direction.

You can replicate them by following the steps above. When you’re comfortable playing with PowerPoint’s features, don’t be afraid to explore and try out different creative decisions.

Step 1:

Try the Horizontal Hierarchy option under Insert > SmartArt > Hierarchy.

Step 2:

Using the Text Pane window, type in the flow of your decision tree like you did earlier.

Step 3:

For each option, press Enter to add subtopics that will make it look more complex and professional. Or, you can click the + button on the text pane where you want to add a topic. Press Tab on your keyboard to add a subtopic.

Step 4:

Go to SmartArt Design > Change Colors and select a nice, professional color scheme.

Step 5:

When you click a shape, try out the Format Shape window on the right. Here, you can edit certain effects of the shapes like Shadow, Reflection, Glow, Soft Edges, 3-D Format, and 3-D Rotation.

Step 6:

Aside from adding professional design effects to your decision trees, experimenting with details in your diagram can also help out in making it more useful. Go to Insert > Icons and choose relevant symbols to represent different decision types.

Step 7:

For key decision points, you can add emphasis such as the Glow effect from Shape Options.

Step 8:

To add context, insert text boxes near complex decisions with brief explanations. Go to Insert > Text Box and drag the text box to your desired location.

How to Make a Decision Tree With Edraw.AI

Done making your decision tree in PowerPoint? If you’re still unsatisfied or find it too hard or complicated, try an online tool for diagramming: Edraw.AI. It has a feature that will let you easily make these decision trees. Try out the methods provided below:

Method 1: Generate a Decision Tree with AI Tools

The first method for creating a better decision tree with Edraw.AI is with its AI flowchart generator.

Step 1:

Click AI Flowchart under Home.

Step 2:

On the next page, ensure you’re under the AI Flowchart tab. Type in your prompt, then click Start. After the flowchart is generated, click Edit in Canvas.

Step 3:

Begin editing your flowchart by editing the text. Double-click any shape to add information.

Step 4:

The floating toolbar offers customization tools for the decision tree. You can useStyle, Fill, or Line to color specific flowchart parts.

Method 2: Create a Decision Tree With a Template

Another good method to save time is to create a decision tree with Edraw.AI’s templates. You can access them by following the steps below:

Step 1:

From the homepage, click Templates. Then, type in your query or search keywords in the search bar.

Step 2:

Select something you like from the results.

Step 3:

Click Create with template to begin customizing the template

How To Export the Diagram/Chart to PowerPoint

Once you’re done customizing your Edraw.AI decision trees, you might still want to transfer them to PowerPoint. Before teaching you how to do that, congratulations! You’ve unlocked a faster way to create decision trees with the help of Edraw.AI.

Now, on to the export steps:

Step 1:

Click the Export button from the upper right corner.

Step 2:

Go to the Image tab of the Export window. Edit some export settings, such as the File Name, and then click Export.

Step 3:

Go to Insert > Pictures in your PowerPoint slide, locate your picture file, and add it to the slides

As you’ve tried out different methods to create decision trees in PowerPoint, make sure to explore them further to learn more creative ways to improve your diagrams. While PowerPoint offers basic features for creating decision trees, a more innovative and professional option is the third-party apps like Edraw.AI. By following the steps above, you can make an impressive decision tree and enhance the clarity of your presentations.

Best Practices for Making a More Appealing and Effective Diagram/Chart

Like any task or project, making a good decision tree doesn’t stop with following some steps. The tips below are useful while creating decision trees:

• Keep it simple. Don’t overcrowd your tree. If it’s too complex, consider breaking it into multiple slides.
• Use consistent shapes. Stick to one shape for each level of decision to maintain visual harmony.
• Color code wisely. Use colors to group related decisions or highlight critical paths.
• Emphasize important decisions. Make key decision points larger or use a different color to let your audience know they are crucial decisions.
• Use clear, concise text. Keep your text short and to the point. Use bullet points for additional details if needed.
• Incorporate white space. Don’t fear space—it helps viewers focus on the important elements.
• Add visual cues. Use icons or small images to represent different types of decisions or outcomes
• Consider left-to-right flow. In Western cultures, people tend to read from left to right, so structure your tree accordingly.
• Use lines strategically. Vary line thickness to show the strength of relationships between decisions.
• Test for colorblind accessibility. Ensure your color choices work for all viewers.