Turn any spreadsheet into a swimlane process map
Most process documentation already lives in a spreadsheet — one row per step, columns for who does it and what comes next. ProcessMapping.app takes that spreadsheet as the input format and renders the swimlane diagram directly. No drag-and-drop, no manual layout, no separate diagramming tool.
Open the editor — paste your spreadsheet
The editor is open at the top of the page. Paste a spreadsheet of process steps and watch the diagram render. No signup required.
Start Process Mapping FreeHow the converter works
Paste or type your spreadsheet rows into the editor. Each row becomes one step on the diagram. The columns map to the diagram's structure:
- Box Text — the label that appears on the step shape.
- Shape — Start, Process, Decision, or End. Controls the visual shape.
- Line To — comma-separated step numbers this step connects to. "2,4" on a Decision step produces two branches.
- Horizontal Swimlane / Vertical Swimlane — the role or department responsible. The diagram groups steps by lane automatically.
Why a spreadsheet is the right input format
Drag-and-drop flowchart tools assume you're starting from a blank canvas. That's fine for ideation but slow for documentation: every step requires placing a shape, every connector requires drawing a line, every rearrangement requires moving everything that follows.
Spreadsheet input flips it. You edit data; the tool handles the layout. Insert a row to add a step, change a cell to retarget a connector, reassign a swimlane and watch the diagram regroup. The hard part of process mapping — the structure — is exactly what spreadsheets are designed for.
Supported input formats
ProcessMapping.app's editor accepts spreadsheet data from anywhere that produces a tabular format:
- Excel — paste rows directly from .xlsx; see the Excel to process map guide.
- Google Sheets — copy from a Sheets tab; see the Google Sheets workflow.
- CSV — drop in CSV exports from ERP systems, BI tools, or workflow databases; see the CSV to process map guide.
- Hand-typed — start from a blank spreadsheet and type your steps row by row.
What the output looks like
The diagram renders to the right of the spreadsheet. As you edit a cell, the corresponding shape, label, or connector updates within a few milliseconds. Swimlanes appear as horizontal or vertical bands; cross-lane handoffs render as labelled connectors.
Export to PNG when you're ready to drop the diagram into a doc, deck, or wiki. PDF and SVG export plus cloud save live on QueryChart.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert a spreadsheet to a process map?
Open the ProcessMapping.app editor. Each row in the spreadsheet is one step. Columns control the shape, label, connections, and swimlane. The diagram updates as you type.
What spreadsheet formats are supported?
Excel (.xlsx), Google Sheets, CSV, and hand-typed rows. Paste from any tabular source — the editor doesn't care about the file extension, only about the row/column shape.
Do I need to install anything?
No. The editor runs in your browser. No download, no Excel add-in, no Microsoft 365 license. Works on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Chromebook.
Can the diagram handle decision branches?
Yes. Use the Shape column to mark a step as Decision, then list multiple targets in the Line To column (comma-separated). The editor renders the branches automatically.
What about swimlanes?
Use the Horizontal Swimlane or Vertical Swimlane column to assign each row to a lane. The editor groups steps by lane and renders the lane bands.
Can I save and share the diagram?
PNG export is free. For cloud save, version history, sharing links, comments, approvals, and team workspaces, upgrade to QueryChart — the paid platform we built ProcessMapping.app on top of.
Ready to map your first process?
The editor opens with a starter template. Edit the spreadsheet to define your process — the diagram updates as you type. No signup required to get started.
Start Process Mapping Free