We’ll show you how to design decision trees in Excel both from scratch and with a template.

What Is a Decision Tree, and Why Should You Make One?

A decision tree is a simple graph that gives you a Yes and No answer to different scenarios.

A vector image illustration of Excel spreadsheet program on laptop screen in office desk

Menara Grafis/Shutterstock

you could use decision trees in multiple areas of life, including for your studies and personal life.

Well-designed decision trees offer several advantages.

First, well show you how to design one from scratch.

Select Shapes in Excel via the Insert tab

In the example below, well use a decision tree to decide whether to take on a freelance project.

you’re free to always refer back to your sheets and update them as and when you need.

Draw your shapes in Microsoft Excel

Choose to add a new line in Excel for a decision tree

Select Insert > Text Box to add a text box in Microsoft Excel

Type your text in the text box of your Excel decision tree

A completed decision tree in Microsoft Excel

Pick a template for your decision tree in Microsoft Excel

Save your completed decision in Microsoft Excel by going to File > Save As

Choose where you want to save your decision tree while exporting from Excel