Here are some common, basic process flowchart symbols with brief descriptions:
| Name | Symbol | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Process/Operation | ||
| Process |  |
Any process, function, or action |
| Predefined process |  |
A formally defined sub-process |
| Alternate process |  |
An alternative to a normal process step |
| Delay |  |
Indicates a waiting period |
| Preparation |  |
Preparation or set-up step |
| Manual operation |  |
Non-automated step |
| Input/Output | ||
| Data (I/O) |  |
Data available for input/output |
| Document |  |
Any type of hard copy input or output |
| Multidocument |  |
Multiple hard copy documents |
| Display |  |
Machine display (monitor) |
| Manual input |  |
Manually input into a system |
| Card |  |
Computer punched card (archaic) |
| Punched tape |  |
Computer punched tape (archaic) |
| Branching/Flow Control | ||
| Flow line |  |
Direction of process flow |
| Transfer |  |
Transfer of materials |
| Terminator |  |
Start or stop point |
| Decision |  |
A junction where a decision must be made |
| Connector |  |
Represents the exit to, or entry from, another part of the same flowchart |
| Off-page connector |  |
Indicates flowchart continues on another page (may contain page number) |
| Merge (storage) |  |
Merge multiple processes into one |
| Extract (measurement) |  |
Extract (split) process(es) |
| Or |  |
Logical OR (process divergence) |
| Summing junction |  |
Logical AND (process convergence) |
| Data Processing | ||
| Collate |  |
Organize data into a standard format |
| Sort |  |
Sorting data according to an established order |
| File/Storage | ||
| Stored data |  |
General data storage |
| Magnetic disk (database) |  |
Database |
| Direct access storage |  |
Hard disk drive storage |
| Internal storage |  |
Data stored in memory |
| Sequential access storage(magnetic tape) |  |
Computer tape reel (archaic) |