Can't Edit Org Charts in Word

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated May 11, 2024)
This tip applies to Word 2021


1

Kris is responsible to keep her company's organizational documents up to date. These documents include org charts that she created in Word. The last time she updated the documents was at the end of last year. She recently tried to update the org charts, but she gets an error message saying the Organization Chart Add-in is not installed. Trying to install it leads nowhere, so Kris is wondering how she can fix the issue.

It appears, Kris, that there is no fix for this, at least not when it comes to Microsoft 365. Apparently, Microsoft has removed the Organization Chart Add-in, as described at this page:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/organization-chart-add-in-is-not-available-in-office-applications-87deebb8-a053-4af1-ae52-7e865b745474

One of the touted benefits of subscription-based software such as Microsoft 365 is that you can receive new updates at the drop of a hat, on a continual basis. This is two-edged sword, however, as Microsoft can just as easily remove features that they previously offered.

One potential solution is that you might try updating the org charts using an older version of Word, one that isn't subscription-based like Microsoft 365 is. It is possible that the add-in will be available in the older version.

The only other solution is to recreate the org charts using different software. (Not a pleasant thought, I know.)

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (13922) applies to Microsoft Word 2021.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Rounding to Even and Odd Values

Want to round values so they are always even or odd? You can do it quickly and easily by using the EVEN and ODD worksheet ...

Discover More

Automatic Periods after a Caption

Word can automatically add captions to certain elements of your documents, such as figures or tables. You can control ...

Discover More

Searching for Character Formatting

Need to look for a piece of text possessing a particular formatting attribute? Here's the skinny on how this is accomplished.

Discover More

The First and Last Word on Word! Bestselling For Dummies author Dan Gookin puts his usual fun and friendly candor back to work to show you how to navigate Word 2019. Spend more time working and less time trying to figure it all out! Check out Word 2019 For Dummies today!

More WordTips (ribbon)

Using Object Anchors

An object anchor is used to signify the point at which an object is inserted into a document. If you want to see these ...

Discover More

Changing the Size of a Graphic

Word allows you to add more than text to your documents; you can also add graphics. Once added, you can modify the size ...

Discover More

Figure Captions Change Incorrectly

Word allows you to easily add captions to your images. You may not always get what you expect, however, when you have ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is three minus 0?

2024-12-15 08:32:34

Miguel Antonio Suárez

Hi Kris, how are you?

I was looking for a way to create, insert, edit and the like, charts in MS Word, such organizational charts. So, using 'Search WordTips' toolbox, on the upper right corner, I found 'Understanding SmartArt' WordTip (https://wordribbon.tips.net/T009386_Understanding_SmartArt.html) suitable for that purpose.

Maybe, this can help you.

Greetings and have a very nice holydays. ¡Marry Chrismas!


This Site

Got a version of Word that uses the ribbon interface (Word 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the menu interface.

Videos
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.