The PRISMA Diagram documents the unbiased flow of information through the review process. It reports the number of records identified, included, excluded and the reasons for exclusion- providing transparency and replicability. There are now different templates for reviews, based on the sources used to identify studies.
You can access the templates here.
In PRISMA 2020, there are expanded options for selection depending on where you are searching for data for your review, and whether you are updating a previous review (as above).
Version 1 of PRISMA 2020 includes databases and clinical trial or preprint registers.
Version 2 includes additional sections for elaborating on your grey literature search, such as searches on websites or in citation lists.
Versions 3 & 4 are for updating systematic reviews. All versions are available for new and updated reviews from the PRISMA Flow Diagram page.
Version 1 follows the follows the same format as the previous 2009 PRISMA diagram, and version 2 has an additional column on the right side of the diagram for reporting of grey literature searches and results (see opposite).
The tabs within this section of the guide, on PRISMA will guide you through the step-by-step process involved in completing your PRISMA data:
2. Screening
3. Inclusion
Here you will find a video explainer on the use of PRISMA and managing your information.
Adapted from SMILE by using PRISMA by Marion Kelt and Larissa Kempenaar, Glasgow Caledonian University (Sept 2022). Web archive:
Haddaway, N. R., Page, M. J., Pritchard, C. C., and McGuinness, L. A. (2022) PRISMA2020: an R package and Shiny app for producing PRISMA 2020-compliant flow diagrams, with interactivity for optimised digital transparency and open synthesis. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 18, e1230. doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1230
PRISMA Flow diagrams can be generated using a Shiny App available here.
