Venn diagrams are a great way to visually compare and contrast data sets. With their overlapping circles showing areas of commonality and difference, Venn diagrams make it easy to see relationships between things at a glance.
While Venn diagrams have traditionally been used in math and logic courses to illustrate set relationships, they have many applications in other areas as well. Businesses can use Venn diagrams for things like product comparisons, customer analysis, organizational processes, and more. Teachers often use them to help students understand similarities and differences between historical events, literary works, animals/plants, etc. They are also commonly used in presentations and reports to communicate information visually.
So how do you actually make a Venn diagram? Read on for step-by-step instructions for creating one right within Google Docs.
Why Create a Venn Diagram in Google Docs?
Before jumping into the how-to, you may be wondering why you’d want to create a Venn diagram in Google Docs in the first place. Here are some of the key reasons:
- It’s free. Since Google Docs is free to use with any Google account, there’s no extra cost involved.
- Easy to use. The drawing tools in Google Docs allow you to create basic Venn diagram shapes without needing design expertise.
- Good for collaboration. When the Venn diagram lives within a Google Doc, it’s easy to share and collaborate on with teammates.
- Integrates nicely. A Venn diagram created in Google Docs can then be easily copied/pasted into other G Suite apps like Slides or Sheets if needed.
- Quick revisions. Changes are fast in Google Docs, so updating a Venn diagram to iterate on the content is simple.
So in short, Google Docs can make the entire process of crafting and sharing a great Venn diagram much more accessible. Now let’s look at exactly how it works.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making a Venn Diagram in Google Docs
Follow these steps to create your own Venn diagram right within Google Docs:
- Open up a new Google Doc. From your Google Drive, create a new Doc file that will house your Venn diagram. Having it live in its own document makes it really easy to insert into other files later on.
- Click Insert > Drawing > New. This will open up a blank canvas drawing area along with some basic shapes tools.
- Select the circle shape. In the toolbar, click the shape icon (circle inside a square) and choose the simple circle shape.
- Draw two overlapping circles. Click and drag to draw one circle on the canvas. Then create a second circle that overlaps with the first one. These will form the basic Venn diagram shape.
- Customize circle colors. In the toolbar, open the shape fill color dropdown and choose a different color for each circle. This color coding helps differentiate the data sets.
- Add text boxes. Still in the toolbar, select the text box tool (the “A” icon) and click within a circle to add a label. Repeat to add text in the other circles/overlap areas.
- Add any graphics. If helpful, use the image icon in the toolbar to insert any visuals into the Venn diagram.
- Save and close. When done, click “Save and Close” to insert the completed Venn diagram into your Google Doc.
And that’s it! Just a few simple steps within Google Docs creates a fully formed Venn diagram that you can now use however needed.
Tips for Creating Better Venn Diagrams
Using shapes and text boxes gives you a quick starting point, but there are some easy ways to make your Venn diagrams even more clear and useful:
- Use contrasting colors – Choose circle fill colors that stand out from each other. This makes the boundaries very clear.
- Include icons/images – Inserting visuals is more engaging and memorable. Simple icons work great.
- Keep text short – Be succinct with the textual labels. A few words get the point across better than sentences.
- Use data – Adding numbers, percentages, etc. makes a stronger point and is more precise.
- Multiple Venn diagrams – Use more than one for additional depth or more complex comparisons.
With an understanding of the basics in Google Docs, you can now create simple or more advanced Venn diagrams tailored to your specific needs. They are an easy way to turn boring blocks of text into an engaging, memorable visual aid.
So next time you need to compare a few things, whip up a customized Venn diagram without leaving your Doc! The usefulness and versatility of merging text and graphics allows you to organize information in a whole new way.
