How to Make a Venn Diagram

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Venn diagrams were actually created by a man named John Venn. This type of diagram is meant to show relationships between sets. The basic idea is pretty simple, and you can get started with a pen and paper.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Creating a Venn Diagram on Paper

PDF download Download Article
  1. A Venn diagram shows where ideas or things intersect. They usually consist of two or three overlapping circles. [1]
    • Venn diagrams use sets of things. "Sets" is a mathematical term that means a collection. In math, sets are denoted by curlicue brackets, such as in the following example: "birds: {parrots, parakeets, finches, doves, cardinals}" [2]
  2. A universe is in the context of Venn diagrams means what you're dealing with at the moment, not the whole universe. For instance, you could say your universe is "Foods." Write that at the top of the page. You can also create a rectangle around your Venn diagram marked "Foods." [3]
    Advertisement
  3. "Classifications" just means how you are organizing things. For instance, you could have the two classifications "Foods Eaten in the Morning" and "Foods Eaten at Night." [4]
  4. Draw a circle for each classification. Once you've done that, start filling up the circles with items. For instance, in "Foods Eaten in the Morning," you could have eggs, bacon, pancakes, strawberries, tomatoes, spinach, yogurt, leftover pizza, sausage, and waffles. For "Foods Eaten at Night," you may come up with leftover pizza, ramen noodles, strawberries, tomatoes, spinach, ice cream, lasagna, chicken tenders, and sushi. [5]
  5. You may notice that certain items are in both lists. In the example, strawberries, tomatoes, spinach, and leftover pizza are in both categories. This overlap is called a "union" in mathematical terms and is sometimes represented by this symbol: "∪" You'd show a union of sets in mathematical terms this way: "Foods Eaten in the Morning ∪ Foods Eaten at Night: {strawberries, tomatoes, spinach, and leftover pizza}" [6]
  6. Go back to your circles. Redraw the circles, but this time, overlap the middle part of one side. Label one circle as "Foods Eaten in the Morning" and the other one "Foods Eaten at Night." [7]
  7. Don't add the overlapping words yet. In "Foods Eaten in the Morning," write "eggs, bacon, pancakes, yogurt, sausage, and waffles." In "Foods Eaten at Night," add "ramen noodles, ice cream, lasagna, chicken tenders, and sushi." Keep these words out of the overlapping section. [8]
  8. In the overlapping section, write the words they have in common. In the example, write "strawberries, tomatoes, spinach, and leftover pizza." That shows that the two circles have those in common. [9]
  9. If you want, you can add another classification, such as "Foods Eaten Midday." In this case, all three circles overlap, creating shared spaces between each set of two circles, as well as a shared space in the middle between all three circles. Save the center for what all three classifications have in common. [10]
    10. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Creating a Venn Diagram in Microsoft Office

PDF download Download Article
  1. "SmartArt" is in the Insert tab. Look under the Illustrations group. [11]
  2. Look in the Choose a SmartArt Graphic area. Find the one marked "Relationship." In that area, you can select a Venn diagram. For example, you can choose a "Basic Venn" by clicking on it. Click "OK" to select it and create the diagram. [12]
  3. After you select "OK," the diagram will appear in your document. It will have "TEXT" in each of the main parts of the circles. You can click on the "TEXT" to add your items to the circles. [13]
  4. You must insert text boxes to add text to the overlapping portions, making it a bit more difficult than the text you just added. Click the "Insert" tab. Under it, choose "Text Box," and then click "Draw Text Box." [14]
  5. Use your mouse to draw a text box in the overlapping part. It should be small enough so it doesn't go outside the lines of the overlapping portion. Type in your text. [15]
    • The textbox will be drawn white. Click on the textbox, then click on the "Format" tab at the top. Under "Shape Fill," select "no fill," and under "Shape Outline," select "No Outline." That way, the textbox will now match the Venn diagram's colors.
    • Add textboxes for all the overlapping areas.
  6. If you don't like the colors, you can change them by clicking on the Venn diagram and then choosing "Change Colors" under the Design tab. Select a new color from the drop-down menu. [16]
    7. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I make a Venn diagram with only two circles in Word?
    Community Answer
    You can use the insert bar to insert two circles, then overlap them. Then, you will need to add three new text boxes and drag them to the three areas. After that, input your information.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 4
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Make a Homemade Projector Screen
      How to
      Mount a Projector
      How to
      Create a Photo Slideshow with PowerPoint
      How to
      Do a Presentation in Class
      How to
      Write a Seminar Paper
      How to
      Present an Award
      How to
      Conduct a Group Discussion
      How to
      Give a Presentation
      What Are Some Interesting Topics to Discuss in a Group?
      How to
      Create a Slideshow on iPad
      How to
      Introduce Yourself Before Giving a Seminar
      How to
      Print Transparencies
      How to
      Prepare a Paper Presentation
      How to
      Plan a Presentation
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://arbs.nzcer.org.nz/venn-diagrams
      2. ↑ http://www.mathsisfun.com/sets/venn-diagrams.html
      3. ↑ http://www.mathsisfun.com/sets/venn-diagrams.html
      4. ↑ http://www.purplemath.com/modules/venndiag.htm
      5. ↑ https://arbs.nzcer.org.nz/venn-diagrams
      6. ↑ http://www.mathsisfun.com/sets/venn-diagrams.html
      7. ↑ http://www.purplemath.com/modules/venndiag.htm
      8. ↑ http://www.purplemath.com/modules/venndiag.htm
      9. ↑ http://www.purplemath.com/modules/venndiag.htm
      1. ↑ http://www.mathsisfun.com/sets/venn-diagrams.html
      2. ↑ https://support.office.com/en-gb/article/Create-a-Venn-diagram-7b252a3c-b4b8-4f42-8611-5147859fce39
      3. ↑ https://support.office.com/en-gb/article/Create-a-Venn-diagram-7b252a3c-b4b8-4f42-8611-5147859fce39
      4. ↑ https://support.office.com/en-gb/article/Create-a-Venn-diagram-7b252a3c-b4b8-4f42-8611-5147859fce39
      5. ↑ https://support.office.com/en-gb/article/Create-a-Venn-diagram-7b252a3c-b4b8-4f42-8611-5147859fce39
      6. ↑ https://support.office.com/en-gb/article/Create-a-Venn-diagram-7b252a3c-b4b8-4f42-8611-5147859fce39
      7. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/learn-more-about-smartart-graphics-6ea4fdb0-aa40-4fa9-9348-662d8af6ca2c#style

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 113,537 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        Sep 11, 2016

        "The pictures helped me, and it was explained very well."
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement