Others

Can Visio Org Charts Show Multiple Managers for One Employee?

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know if it is possible to assign multiple managers or manager proxies to a single employee in an organizational chart created in Visio Plan 2 and linked to Excel.

Product: Microsoft Visio Plan 2
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating an automated organizational chart linked to an Excel data source where an employee reports to more than one manager in a matrix structure.
Observed behavior: Visio does not natively support mapping multiple managers to a single employee via its automated org chart wizard.

Before you start

Ensure your Excel data source is correctly formatted and successfully linked to your Visio organizational chart before attempting to make manual structural modifications.

Solution 1Recommended

Add a Manual Visual Indicator or Connector

Since Visio lacks a built-in feature for multiple managers during the Excel import, you can manually draw connectors or add notes to represent a matrix management structure or proxy manager.

When you link an Excel spreadsheet to Visio using the Organization Chart Wizard, it strictly follows a one-to-one reporting hierarchy based on the 'Reports To' column. To represent an employee with multiple managers, you must manually bypass the automated layout limitations after the initial chart is generated.

Open the generated chart

Open your Excel-linked organizational chart in Microsoft Visio.

Select the Connector tool

Navigate to the Home tab on the ribbon and select the 'Connector' tool.

Draw a secondary reporting line

Click and drag to draw a manual connection line from the secondary manager's shape to the target employee's shape.

Format the connector

Right-click the newly drawn connector and select 'Format Shape' to change its line style (e.g., to a dashed or dotted line) to clearly indicate a secondary reporting line or proxy manager.

Add an annotation (Optional)

Alternatively, use the 'Text' tool to add a text box next to the employee's shape detailing the dual-reporting structure.

Submit a Feature Request: Because this requires a manual workaround, you can request official support for a built-in multi-manager feature by navigating to Visio > Help > Feedback and submitting your request directly to Microsoft.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Need a Versatile Office Suite? Try WPS Office

While specialized diagramming tools like Visio have their place, everyday document, spreadsheet, and presentation tasks require a reliable, lightweight, and cost-effective solution. WPS Office provides excellent compatibility with Microsoft Office formats, allowing you to seamlessly manage your data and reports without expensive subscriptions.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free office suite.
2. Open your data files: Open your existing Excel data files directly in WPS Spreadsheet with perfect compatibility.
3. Create flexible diagrams: Use the built-in SmartArt and shape features in WPS Presentation to easily create flexible organizational charts that allow multiple reporting lines.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx), Word, and PowerPoint formats.Create stunning hierarchical charts and smart diagrams manually using WPS Presentation.Free, lightweight, and incredibly easy to use across Windows, Mac, and mobile devices.Seamless migration from Microsoft Office with a familiar, tabbed user interface.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Excel-linked Visio org chart only show one manager?

Visio's Organization Chart Wizard relies on a single 'Reports To' column in your Excel data. Because the automated wizard maps one employee to exactly one parent shape, it cannot automatically generate multiple reporting lines for a single person.

Can I use a comma to list two managers in the Excel 'Reports To' column?

No. Entering multiple names or IDs separated by a comma in the 'Reports To' column will cause an error during the Visio import process, as the wizard expects a single, exact match for the manager's unique ID.

How do I create a dotted line for a dotted-line manager in Visio?

You can manually draw a line using the Connector tool from the dotted-line manager to the employee. Once drawn, right-click the line, open the Format Shape pane, and change the Line Dash type to a dotted or dashed pattern.

Office Quick Solutions