You can create and edit Visio diagrams in a browser without installing the desktop app—but editing requires an eligible work or school license. Microsoft 365’s included Visio app covers basic diagrams; more specialized work, unsupported features, or offline editing may call for a paid Visio plan and, in some cases, the Windows desktop app.
What Visio Online is—and what access you need
Visio for the web is Microsoft’s browser-based diagramming app. Sign in with the work or school account associated with an eligible license, then create or edit diagrams online. Microsoft lists current versions of Edge, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari for the web experience. Microsoft’s Visio for the web FAQ explains which accounts and subscriptions provide access.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Some Microsoft 365 commercial and education plans include Visio for the web. Paid Visio Plan 1 and Plan 2 subscriptions also include it. A person without an editing license may be able to view basic Visio files read-only, but that is not the same as being able to create or edit them.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
How to create a flowchart in Visio online
- Sign in with the right account. Use the work or school account that has the eligible Visio license.
- Open Visio. Start from the Microsoft 365 app launcher, or open OneDrive for work or school or a SharePoint document library.
- Start a drawing. In OneDrive or SharePoint, choose New > Visio Drawing. Select a flowchart template or begin with a blank drawing. The available templates and shapes depend on your license.
- Build the diagram. Add shapes, arrange them in sequence, and connect them to show the flow. Use a template suited to the process you are mapping; a specialized diagram may require a plan beyond the Visio app included with Microsoft 365.
- Save and share from the cloud location. Browser edits are saved automatically. Keeping the drawing in OneDrive or SharePoint also lets you share it from that location with people who have appropriate access.
For Microsoft’s step-by-step instructions on opening, creating, and editing a drawing, see View, create, and edit a diagram in Visio for the web.
#1 Best Overall
Which Visio plan fits your diagram?
The main choice is whether basic browser diagramming is enough, or whether you need broader diagram support or the desktop application. Microsoft’s plan descriptions and supported-diagram list should be checked against the exact diagram type and features you use; this is not a complete feature matrix.
| Option | What it is suited to | Browser, desktop, and files | US price listed by Microsoft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visio in Microsoft 365 | Basic, general-purpose diagrams for eligible commercial or education accounts | Browser app; supports .vsdx, not legacy .vsd | Included in qualifying Microsoft 365 plans |
| Visio Plan 1 | Broader browser diagramming, including more detailed diagrams and additional shapes and templates | Browser app; confirm support for your diagram type and advanced features | $5 per user/month, paid yearly |
| Visio Plan 2 | Plan 1 capabilities plus desktop Visio and advanced capabilities | Browser and desktop options; desktop may be needed for unsupported web editing or local/offline work | $15 per user/month, paid yearly |
These prices are the US amounts shown on Microsoft’s product pages at the time this article was prepared; prices and plan eligibility can vary by location and change. Check Microsoft’s current plan and pricing page and confirm which license your organization provides. The supported-diagram list for Visio in Microsoft 365 is useful when a particular template or diagram category matters.
Can Visio online open existing files?
Visio in Microsoft 365 supports .vsdx files, not the older .vsd format. Support for a file extension alone does not guarantee that every diagram element or advanced feature in a drawing can be edited in the browser. Data-connected diagrams and some advanced content have web-editing limitations.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Before moving an important or complex drawing into a browser workflow, check its format, diagram type, and features against Microsoft’s limitations to file editing in Visio for the web. If Visio reports unsupported content or the browser cannot edit what you need, use desktop Visio where the feature is supported. Plan 2 includes the desktop app; access to the desktop app is not part of the browser-only workflow.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can you use Visio on a Mac?
Yes. Mac users can use Visio for the web in a supported browser. Microsoft says it does not offer a Visio desktop app for macOS, so Mac access is browser-based. See Microsoft’s guidance on using Visio on a Mac for details.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- The Microsoft Office 365 Bible: The Most Updated and Complete Guide to Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, OneDrive, Teams, Access, and Publisher from Beginners to Advanced
- ABIS BOOK
Choose based on the work you need to do
- You only need a basic flowchart: First check whether your work or school account already includes Visio in Microsoft 365.
- You need more diagram types, shapes, or templates in a browser: Compare Plan 1’s capabilities with the exact diagram you need.
- You need desktop features, local or offline work, or editing unsupported by the web app: Check whether Plan 2 and desktop Visio cover your workflow.
- You need to edit an older .vsd file or a data-connected drawing: Verify format and feature support before relying on browser editing; use desktop Visio if the web app cannot edit the content.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
