Microsoft Visio 2021: Powerful Diagramming Software from Microsoft

Microsoft Visio 2021, part of the Microsoft 365 family, is a robust diagramming and vector graphics application. Originally introduced by Visio Corporation in 1992 and later acquired by Microsoft in 2000, Visio enables users to create professional, data-driven diagrams. This version comes with an official product key and offers access to the latest features, including options for Visio Plan 1 and Visio Plan 2 subscriptions for both web and desktop use.

Key Features of Microsoft Visio 2021

Microsoft Visio is ideal for creating a wide range of diagrams, including:

• Flowcharts

• Organizational Charts

• Floor Plans

• Network Diagrams

• UML Diagrams

• Mind Maps

Advanced Use Cases

Visio is commonly used for:

• Process Mapping

• Visual Collaboration

• Data Visualization (Generate diagrams from Excel data)

• Integration with Power BI (Embed diagrams directly into dashboards)

Editions: Standard vs Professional

Microsoft introduced two editions of Visio 2013 for Windows:

• Standard Edition: Core functionality with essential templates.

• Professional Edition:

  • Additional templates for complex diagrams

  • Data linking capabilities

  • Intelligent rules and validation

  • Subprocess creation for diagram breakdown

  • Included with select Office 365 subscriptions

Microsoft Visio 2016 and Later Enhancements

Released on September 22, 2015, Visio 2016 added several new features:

• One-step Excel data connectivity

• Information Rights Management (IRM)

• Modernized shapes for:

  • Office layouts

  • Site plans

  • Floor plans

  • Home plans

  • IEEE-compliant electrical diagrams

• New starter diagrams and themes

Database Modeling in Visio

Visio also supports Database Model Diagrams (DMDs), enabling detailed database architecture visualization.

Supported File Formats in Microsoft Visio

Native File Types

Discontinued Formats

• .vdx, .vsx, .vtx – XML-based formats no longer supported for saving in newer versions.

Format Notes

• VSDX/VSDM: Based on Open Packaging Conventions (OPC) standard. Use ZIP compression.

• VSD: Uses LZW-like compression.

• VDX: XML-based and uncompressed; typically larger in file size.

History of Microsoft Visio

Origins and Acquisition

• 1992: First released by Shapeware Corporation (later Visio Corporation)

• 1995: Company renamed to Visio Corporation

• 2000: Acquired by Microsoft and rebranded

Integration with Microsoft

Although Visio became a part of the Microsoft Office family, it was never included in core Office bundles. However, it was integrated into:

• Visual Studio .NET 2003 via Visio for Enterprise Architects

• Visual Studio 2005 Team Suite

Notable Releases and Add-ons

Visio Enterprise Network Tools (VENT)

• Introduced: May 7, 2001

• Discontinued: July 1, 2002

• Allowed network and directory services diagramming

• Partnered with Visio Network Center, a subscription-based shape library

Visio Ribbon Interface

• Introduced in Visio 2010

• Aligned with the Office 2007 interface across Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

BPMN 2.0 Support

• Added on November 19, 2012 to support Business Process Modeling

Complete List of Visio Versions

Legacy Versions

• Visio v1.0 (Standard, Lite, Home)

• Visio v2.0 to v5.0 (Standard, Professional, Technical)

Post-Microsoft Acquisition

• Visio 2000 (v6.0)

• Visio 2002 (v10.0)

• Visio 2003, 2007, 2010

• Visio 2013: Dropped VDX support, introduced VSDX

• Visio 2016: New shapes and IRM protection

• Visio 2019: Continued refinements

• Visio 2021: Latest professional release

Online Versions

• Visio Online Plan 1: Web-based editor

• Visio Online Plan 2: Desktop with Office 365 integration

Note: Versions 7, 8, and 9 were skipped to align with Office versioning. Version 13 was skipped due to triskaidekaphobia (fear of the number 13).

Microsoft acquired Visio in 2000, rebranding it as part of the Microsoft Office family.
👉 Read more on Microsoft’s official Visio product page

Visio 2021 supports integration with Excel and Power BI.
👉 Learn more about Power BI

Platform Compatibility

Currently, Microsoft Visio is only available for Windows. There is no macOS version, which has led to third-party applications stepping in to offer support for Visio files on Mac.