Microsoft Visio assists users in developing professional appearing diagrams for a variety of business applications. These two-dimensional images can illustrate corporate structure, architectural drawings or procedural workflows. Anyone with an idea or concept they wish to display in the form of a diagram may find Visio useful.

Developed by Shapeware Corporation in 1992, the Visio product was acquired by Microsoft in 2000 and continues to be marketed under that banner. Microsoft offers three versions of the package. The most advanced, Visio Professional, offers the ability to create detailed and complicated diagrams including those using Business Process Methods and Analysis. All versions of the package offer the ability to use shapes and templates as part of the diagram.

While Microsoft Visio can utilize many file types as input, it only outputs to a limited number of file types. Most of these are proprietary to Microsoft limiting the user’s ability to export the diagrams to other software packages.

Visio is marketed as part of the Microsoft Office Suite of applications. Users can interface the product with other Microsoft office products such as Word or Excel, or use it as a standalone product. Some recent upgrades include the ability to collaborate with other Visio users within your group and more templates. Link portions of the diagram to explanations or texts to make the diagram more usable.

Business and design professionals most commonly use Microsoft Visio. The products cost and specialized use makes it of limited use for home computer users. However, for businesses with a need to produce high-quality diagrams this is the premier software available on the market.

The product is marketed through online by Microsoft and through other online and retail vendors. It is supported online by the Microsoft website.