Microsoft Visio

Formerly known as Microsoft Office Visio, Microsoft Visio is a tool that can be used to create diagrams. The program is part of the Microsoft Office family, but it is not bundled in any Microsoft Office suite. I already have Office 2013 on my PC – but Visio 2013 is not part of the suite. The Visio software can be obtained individually and can be used to create professional diagrams.

Visio version 1.0 was released to the public way back in 1992. At the time it was a standalone product developed by Shapeware Corporation. In 2000, Microsoft stepped in, acquired Visio, and rebranded it as a Microsoft Office product (but, as mentioned above, it was never part of any Office suite).

Several Visio editions were released under Microsoft’s wing: Visio 2000 SP1, Visio 2002, Office Visio 2003, Office Visio 2007, Visio 2010, and Visio 2013. Focusing on the last one, it must be mentioned that there are several Visio 2013 editions: Standard, Professional, Pro for Office 365.

With Visio Standard 2013 you can create diagrams using all sorts of shapes and a rich set of stencils. With Visio Standard 2013 Professional you can create and share professional diagrams within your team. And with Visio Pro for Office 365, you can enjoy Visio Professional functionality from Office 365.

Office 2013 and Visio 2013 Professional are not free. For Office 2013, you can get a 60-day evaluation version from the TechNet Evaluation Center. For Visio 2013 Professional, you can also get a 60-day evaluation version from the TechNet Evaluation Center.

Microsoft Visio Professional gives you all the tools you need to create and share professional diagrams.