Microsoft Visio is a diagramming software that’s used to create technical and non-technical communications and representations of process diagrams, work flow diagrams, architectural diagrams, timelines, engineering drawings, concepts, ideas, structures, layouts, software models, blueprints, etc.

Microsoft Visio replaces the tedious and inconvenient process of creating diagrams by providing easy to use tools to create complex diagrams, so you can create any complex drawing easily and with minimum effort.

The aim of this post is to provide a road map for anyone willing to start learning Microsoft Visio online for free from scratch, the post will present and compare between the best online sources where beginners can start from and follow along, the sources stated in this post are full structured courses so you won’t find a link to a single video or a group of unrelated tutorials.

If you just want the bottom line (the road map to learn Microsoft Visio) and you don’t wish to read the entire article then go to the “Bottom Line” section at the end of the article.

Getting Started with Microsoft Visio from Scratch for Free

Microsoft

Microsoft website is the first free online outlet where beginners can start learning Microsoft Visio through video tutorials. You don’t need to register to have an access to the training, just go to the website and you’re ready to go.

Structure: The training is divided into 2 sections (Beginners and Intermediate); each section has a group of lessons and each lesson covers certain topics in Microsoft Visio.

Interface: The interface is very simple, you choose the section you want and you’ll be directed to its page where you shall find a list of the available lessons , click on the lesson you want and the video tutorial will start.

Now, the pros and cons:

Pros

1. Free.
2. The training is well-organized for beginners.

Cons

1. The training only covers the basics of Microsoft Visio

Verdict: This is a very good source to start learning Microsoft Visio, though it’s worth noting that the training doesn’t cover Microsoft Visio thoroughly.

Microsoft Visio YouTube Channel

Microsoft Visio YouTube Channel is the second free online outlet where beginners can start learning Microsoft Visio through video tutorials.

Structure: The training is divided into 24 video lessons, each video lesson covers a certain topic Microsoft Visio, this training covers the software in more depth than the first outlet.

Interface: The standard YouTube interface.

Now, the pros and cons:

Pros

1. Free.
2. The training is well-structured and organized for beginners.

Cons

1. The training covers an old release of Microsoft Visio, though that won’t be a big problem for beginners.

Verdict: This is the best outlet for beginners to start learning Microsoft Visio through video tutorials.

Learn That

Learn That is the third free online outlet where beginners can start learning Microsoft Visio through a text-based tutorial, you don’t have to register to have access to the training.

Structure: The training is divided into sections, each section covers certain topics in Microsoft Visio, the training is divided through 21 web pages.

Interface: The interface is very simple, you can navigate through the pages using the page selection menu at the bottom of each page.

Now, the pros and cons:

Pros

1. Free.
2. The training is well-structured and organized for beginners.

Cons

1. The training covers a very old release of Microsoft Visio.

Verdict: This is the best outlet for beginners to start learning Microsoft Visio through a text-based tutorial.

The University of Texas

The University of Texas is the fourth free online outlet where beginners can start learning Microsoft Visio through text as well as video tutorials, you don’t have to register to have access to the training.

Structure: The training is divided into 9 lessons, these lessons are available as text as well as video. Each of the lessons covers certain topics in Microsoft Visio.

Interface: The interface is simple, just select the lesson you’re interested in from the left hand side menu, to have access to the video training just click on the video link at the top-right side of the page.

Now, the pros and cons:

Pros

1. Free.
2. The training is available as text as well as video.

Cons

1. The training covers a very old release of Microsoft Visio which predates the ribbon interface making it not suitable for beginners.

Verdict: There are better outlets stated in this post to start learning Microsoft Visio.

Dublin City University

Dublin City University is the fifth free online outlet where beginners can start learning Microsoft Visio through a text-based tutorial, you don’t have to register in order to have access to the training.

Structure: The training is divided into 4 sections, each section is divided into lessons and each of these lessons is available as text only. Each of the lessons cover a certain topic in Microsoft Visio.

Interface: The interface is simple, just select the lesson you’re interested in from the top down menu.

Now, the pros and cons:

Pros

1. Free.

Cons

1. The training covers a very old release of Microsoft Visio which predates the ribbon interface making it not suitable for beginners.

Verdict: There are better outlets stated in this post to start learning Microsoft Visio.

Bottom Line

The recipe for learning Microsoft Visio for free:

1. Microsoft Visio YouTube Channel is the best outlet for beginners who prefer video tutorials.
2. Learn That is the best outlet for beginners who prefer text-based tutorials.

Remember that the first step is always the toughest step, and the aim of this post is to provide you with resources that will help you take your first step in Microsoft Visio.