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Visio for the web lets you create and edit diagrams in a browser, but editing requires an eligible work or school license. Some Microsoft 365 plans include access for basic diagrams; Visio Plan 1 adds broader browser diagramming, while Plan 2 also includes the Windows desktop app. Check your plan and the file’s format and features before relying on web editing.
Can you use Visio online for free?
Visio for the web runs in a browser, so there is no web-app installation. To create or edit diagrams, sign in with an eligible work or school account whose Microsoft 365 or Visio subscription includes editing access. Some commercial and education plans include a basic Visio web experience; paid Visio Plan 1 and Plan 2 subscriptions also provide web access. A person without an editing license may be able to view basic Visio files in read-only mode, which is not the same as being able to create or change a diagram. See Microsoft’s Visio for the web FAQ for account and access details.
Which Visio plan fits your diagrams?
The right option depends on your account, the diagrams and shape libraries you need, and whether you must work with the desktop app, local files, or advanced content. The included Microsoft 365 experience is aimed at basic, general-purpose diagrams; it is not a guarantee that every Visio template or diagram type will be available.
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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →| Option | What it is suited to | Access and limitations | US price shown by Microsoft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visio in Microsoft 365 | Basic, general-purpose diagrams | Browser access with an eligible commercial or education plan and account; supported diagram types are limited | Included with qualifying plans |
| Visio Plan 1 | Broader browser diagramming, including more detailed diagrams and additional shapes and templates | Web app; check support for the specific diagram type and file features | $5 per user/month, paid yearly |
| Visio Plan 2 | Plan 1 capabilities plus advanced capabilities and desktop Visio | Use the desktop app when web editing does not support a feature or when local/offline work is needed | $15 per user/month, paid yearly |
These prices are the US amounts Microsoft showed for annual billing; prices and eligibility vary by location and can change. Check Microsoft’s plan and pricing page and confirm which licenses your organization assigns. For a specific workflow, consult Microsoft’s supported diagram types and its Visio product page rather than treating this as a complete feature matrix.
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How to create a flowchart in Visio online
- Sign in: Use the Microsoft 365 work or school account associated with your editing license.
- Open Visio: Launch Visio 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 if one is available for your plan, or start with a blank drawing.
- Build the diagram: Add and arrange the available shapes, then connect them to show the flow. Available templates and shapes depend on your plan.
- Save and share: Browser edits are saved automatically. Keep the drawing in its OneDrive or SharePoint location to share it through that cloud service.
Microsoft’s create and edit guide covers the web workflow.
Can Visio online open existing files?
Visio in Microsoft 365 supports the modern .vsdx format, not the legacy .vsd format. Format alone does not establish that a file can be edited: a supported file may contain advanced features or data-connected content that the web editor cannot handle. Before making browser editing part of your workflow, check the file’s diagram type and features against Microsoft’s web editing limitations. If the editor flags unsupported content or cannot make the changes you need, use desktop Visio where your license provides it.
Can you use Visio on a Mac?
Yes. Mac users can use Visio for the web in a supported browser; Microsoft lists current versions of Edge, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari. Microsoft does not offer a Visio desktop app for macOS, so browser access is the Visio option on a Mac. See Microsoft’s guidance for using Visio on a Mac.
When should you use desktop Visio instead?
Use the browser app for supported diagrams when cloud-based creation and editing meet your needs. Desktop Visio is the better fit when a file uses features the web editor does not support, when the browser reports unsupported content, or when you need desktop-specific advanced capabilities or local/offline work. Plan 2 includes the desktop app; confirm your license and the file’s requirements before starting.
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