Bringing Visio to Microsoft 365: Diagramming for everyone

With the shift to hybrid work comes the need for business leaders to create a new, flexible operating model spanning people, places, and processes. Every business process will need to be transformed and diagrams are often the starting point for many process updates. They enable leaders across the organization to improve and visually communicate processes to help employees adapt quickly to change. And Microsoft Visio is the premier diagramming solution that enables anyone to create and visualize their business processes, data, and so much more.

Visio has long been available only as a standalone app for purchase for people with specialized diagramming needs. But this is changing. We are recognizing an increasing need for a diagramming solution for everyone to convey information more effectively, which is why we’re excited to announce that we’ll be bringing core Visio capabilities to Microsoft 365 for all commercial license subscribers.¹

In July, we’ll start rolling out a lightweight version of the Visio web app in Microsoft 365 to bring visual diagramming and collaboration to all teams—both of which are especially important in this hybrid work environment. But the best part? It’ll be available, at no additional cost, for all commercial license subscribers.¹

This lightweight version of the web app will offer core Visio functionalities and allow business users to create, edit, and share professional diagrams. While users with more specialized diagramming needs will continue to derive value from the standalone plans—Visio Plan 1 and Visio Plan 2—the web app in Microsoft 365 subscription is intended to be a powerful tool for essential needs. It will soon be available in your Microsoft 365 suite, but if you can’t wait to get started, then we invite you to sign up for Visio in Microsoft 365 early access.²

Let’s take a closer look at how this Visio web app in Microsoft 365 can help teams everywhere create professional diagrams effortlessly, collaborate with others and share diagrams seamlessly, and create diagrams from data to make decisions quickly.

Create professional Visio diagrams effortlessly

Creating a Visio diagram in Microsoft 365 is extremely easy. Simply go to Visio from Office Online, choose from the available templates or a blank canvas, and start diagramming! The web app in Microsoft 365 will offer many popular diagram templates—including basic flowcharts and process diagrams—to help you get started fast. You can co-author with your colleagues with rich collaboration features. And seamless integration with a variety of Microsoft solutions, including Microsoft Teams, will provide you a collaborative diagramming experience.

Collaborate with others and share diagrams seamlessly

The Visio web app in Microsoft 365 has many benefits to offer. For example, you can open Visio diagrams directly in Teams and create visuals to brainstorm ideas with your colleagues during a meeting.

You can quickly create a professional-looking diagram in Visio and easily add it as a JPEG or PNG file in Word documents or PowerPoint presentations to enhance your work.

Create diagrams from data to make decisions quickly

You can also use Visio in Excel to visualize a large volume of data to get quick insights. The possibilities of what you can achieve with Visio are immense. We encourage you to try it yourself.

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, which means giving you the right tools for the job. With the availability of core Visio capabilities in Microsoft 365, you have a powerful tool that lets you, your colleagues, and your teams easily create powerful visuals.

Learn more and stay engaged

To learn more about the Visio web app in Microsoft 365, listen to our podcast: Visio for everyone.

The best place to stay current on all things Visio is our Tech Community site, where you’ll find the latest news and a passionate group of other users. We also encourage you to join our Visio Enthusiasts group on LinkedIn and follow us on Twitter.

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¹ The Visio web app in Microsoft 365 will be available for the following licenses: Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Microsoft 365 Business Standard, Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Microsoft 365 Apps for business, Office 365 E1, Office 365 E3, Office 365 E5, Office 365 F3, Microsoft 365 F3 (includes Office 365 F3), Microsoft 365 E3 (includes Office 365 E3), Microsoft 365 E5 (includes Office 365 E5), Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise, Office 365 A1, Office 365 A3, Office 365 E5, Microsoft 365 A1 (one-time, per-device license paired with free Office 365 A1 per user licenses), Microsoft 365 A3 (includes Office 365 A3), Microsoft 365 A5 (includes Office 365 A5).
² Early access will be enabled for a limited number of tenants; however, we will continue to gradually roll it out to others. It is not yet available in the EU, but you can indicate your interest and we will try to get it to you as soon as we can. Once it is enabled, Visio in Microsoft 365 will be available to all users in your tenant.