Sometimes you need to make a detailed, intricate flowchart. For times like those, you’ll whip out Visio or PowerPoint, or some other flowcharting tool. When you just need to make a quick and dirty flowchart, though, I’ve got a free online tool — and a video tutorial — you can use to whip up an attractive diagram in minutes.
SlickPlan is a simple Web-based flowcharting tool. You’ll need to create a free user account to save and export your chart, but you can actually make a chart without registering. When you’ve completed a chart, you can export it as either HTML or PDF.
You can add any number of nodes to the page and create as many nested levels as you like. You can rename nodes and rearrange them to your heart’s content. But that’s about the extent of it — you can’t change fonts, colors, or node shapes. And because the tool is really designed to make site maps for Web pages, you’re always stuck with a node called “Home” at the top of your chart.
Despite those shortcomings, I like SlickPlan. It’s a fast and easy alternative to flowcharting tools, and the results look clean and attractive. Check out the video for a look at how the site works. [via Web Worker Daily]
