How to make PRISMA flow diagram?

Collect the counts for each stage from your search log and screening tool, then enter them in the form at the top of this page. The diagram is drawn as you type, and "Fill in derived counts" completes boxes such as records screened that follow from earlier numbers. Open it in the editor to adjust wording and download the figure.

How to fill in PRISMA flow diagram?

Work from top to bottom. Identification: records from each database and register, then duplicates and other records removed before screening. Screening: records screened and excluded, reports sought for retrieval and not retrieved, reports assessed and those excluded, each with a reason. Included: the number of studies and of reports of those studies.

How to do a PRISMA diagram for literature review?

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses are expected to include one. For a narrative or scoping literature review it is optional but makes the search transparent: record the sources you searched, how many results each gave, and why you excluded items, then enter those counts here in the same way.

How to use PRISMA flow diagram?

Place it in the results section, usually as Figure 1, and make sure every number matches the text. Item 16a of the PRISMA 2020 checklist asks you to describe the search and selection results, ideally using a flow diagram, so cite it there and list the full exclusion reasons in the box or a supplementary table.

How to create PRISMA flow diagram in Word?

Make the diagram here, then use Insert > Pictures in Word with the PNG export at 300 dpi, or insert the SVG for a figure that stays sharp at any size. If you need to change text later inside Office, download the PPTX: its boxes are editable shapes you can copy into Word.

What are registers in PRISMA flow diagram?

Registers are study registries such as ClinicalTrials.gov or the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, where trials are recorded before or during the study. PRISMA 2020 counts them separately from bibliographic databases such as MEDLINE, Embase or Web of Science.

How to cite PRISMA flow diagram?

Cite the PRISMA 2020 statement: Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ 2021;372:n71. In the caption, write something like "PRISMA 2020 flow diagram of study selection". You do not need to cite this tool.

How to use PRISMA 2009 flow diagram?

The 2009 version had four phases: identification, screening, eligibility and included. PRISMA 2020 replaced it and most journals now expect the 2020 layout for new reviews, which is what this tool draws. If a journal still asks for the 2009 wording, rename the boxes in the editor.

Can I make a PRISMA-ScR flow diagram for a scoping review?

PRISMA-ScR, the extension for scoping reviews, asks for a flow diagram of the selection process but has no separate template here. Many scoping reviews use the PRISMA 2020 layout: generate it with this tool and change box wording, for example "sources of evidence", in the editor.

Is this the official PRISMA 2020 flow diagram generator?

No. This PRISMA flow diagram generator is an independent tool and is not affiliated with the PRISMA group. It follows the box wording of the published PRISMA 2020 templates; the official Word templates are available on the PRISMA statement website.

Is the PRISMA flow diagram generator free?

Yes. Building, checking and editing PRISMA diagrams never uses credits. You need a free account to save and download, and free-plan downloads carry a small watermark in the corner; any plan or credit pack removes it.

Can I edit the boxes, text and counts after generating?

Yes. Every box, arrow and label is editable in the editor: change text, fonts and colours, move boxes, or add notes. Each save becomes a version you can return to, so you can update counts after a new search without starting over.

Which formats can I download the PRISMA diagram in?

PNG or JPG at 300 or 600 dpi for submission systems, SVG for a vector figure that scales without blurring, and PPTX where every box is an editable PowerPoint shape and text box.

Can it calculate the excluded record counts for me?

It fills in counts that follow from the others: records screened from records identified minus those removed, reports sought, reports assessed and the total of included reports. It does not invent exclusion reasons, and it warns you whenever the numbers you entered do not add up.

PRISMA Flow Diagram Generator

Type the counts from each stage of your systematic review and this PRISMA flow diagram generator draws the PRISMA 2020 chart for you: identification, screening and included boxes, arrows, exclusion reasons and totals. It checks that the numbers add up, then lets you edit every box and export a clean PNG, SVG or PowerPoint file.

Updated review (previous version included)Also searched other sources (websites, citation searching…)

Identification: databases and registers

Records from databasesRecords from registersDuplicates removedMarked ineligible by automation toolsRemoved for other reasons

Screening

Records screenedRecords excludedReports sought for retrievalReports not retrievedReports assessed for eligibility

Reports excluded, by reason

Included

Studies includedReports of included studies

Free: PRISMA diagrams never cost credits. A free account is needed to edit boxes and download files.

PRISMA 2020 flow diagram drawn from the counts in the form | PRISMA flow diagram generator

What Is a PRISMA Flow Diagram Generator?

A PRISMA flow diagram shows how a systematic review went from thousands of search results to the handful of studies it analyses. Drawing one by hand means lining up boxes, arrows and numbers in Word or PowerPoint and redoing the arithmetic every time a count changes. A PRISMA flow diagram generator takes the counts once and builds the standard layout, so the figure always matches the numbers in your methods section.

What a PRISMA Flow Diagram Records

The chart follows records through three phases. Identification lists where records came from and how many were removed before screening as duplicates or for other reasons. Screening shows records screened and excluded, reports sought and not retrieved, and reports assessed for eligibility with the reasons for exclusion. Included gives the final number of studies and of reports describing them.

PRISMA 2020 Flow Diagram Generator Layout

PRISMA 2020 has four official templates: new or updated reviews, each searching databases and registers only, or other methods as well, such as websites, organisations and citation searching. Switch on an updated review or other methods in the form and the PRISMA 2020 flow diagram generator adds the previous-studies column or the second identification column with its own arrows.

PRISMA Flow Diagram Template vs. a Generator

A PRISMA flow diagram template is a fixed Word file: you type each number into a text box and resize boxes when the text wraps. Here the boxes size themselves to their text, empty counts stay as (n = ) placeholders, and the tool fills in counts that follow from earlier ones, so an updated search never leaves a stale total behind.

Why Use Our PRISMA Flow Diagram Generator?

Reviewers and editors read the flow chart first to judge how rigorous the search was. Our PRISMA flow diagram generator focuses on the two things that most often go wrong: numbers that do not reconcile, and figures that cannot be changed when the reviewers ask for one more search.

Free PRISMA Flow Diagram Generator Online

Everything runs in the browser and the preview updates as you type, with no software to install. Generating and editing PRISMA charts never uses credits, so this free PRISMA flow diagram generator online stays free for every revision of your review. A free account keeps your diagrams so you can come back after peer review.

Every Box Is Editable Vector

The result is not a picture of a diagram. Each box, label and arrow is a separate object you can move, recolour or retype in the editor, and box text such as "Reason 1" becomes your real exclusion reason. Built-in checks flag a screened count that does not equal identified minus removed before a reviewer spots it.

Ready for Word, Slides and Journals

Download PNG or JPG at 300 or 600 dpi for submission, SVG for a sharp vector figure, or PPTX with editable text boxes for your defence slides. The same account also draws illustrations, mechanisms and other figures for the rest of the paper.

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How to Create a PRISMA Flow Diagram in 3 Steps

To create a PRISMA flow diagram you only need the counts from your search log and screening software, such as Covidence, Rayyan or a spreadsheet. It takes about two minutes.

1
Enter Your Screening Counts
Add records found in databases and registers, duplicates and other removals, then records screened and excluded, reports sought, not retrieved and assessed, and each exclusion reason with its count. Tick "updated review" or "other sources" if they apply.
2
Check the Generated Diagram
Watch the PRISMA 2020 chart update beside the form. Press "Fill in derived counts" to complete totals that follow from earlier boxes, and fix any count flagged in yellow until every stage adds up.
3
Edit and Export
Open the diagram in the editor to change wording, colours or fonts, add a title or footnote, then download PNG, SVG or PPTX and insert it as Figure 1 of your review.