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Add Connectors to Join Shapes

November 16, 2023 - by

Add Connectors to Join Shapes

Problem: Is there a way to join two shapes with a connector?

Strategy: All lines can be connectors.

Select Insert, Shapes dropdown and choose any of the Lines shapes. When you are about to click for the start or endpoint, hover over an existing shape. Red connector points will appear along each edge of the shape. If you start or end a line on a red connection handle, the line will be anchored to the shape.

Some shapes offer four connection points. Others offer a connection point on every corner.

A triangle shape has six attachment points - three at the corners, and three at the midpoint of each side.
Figure 1428. The triangle offers six connection points.

Different shapes have differing numbers of attach points.
Figure 1429. Hover over a shape to see where the connection points are located.

Here are several shapes with connectors. If you rearrange the shapes, the lines will continue to connect the shapes.

Five arrows attach six shapes. Some arrows are straight. Some are curved.
Figure 1430. Shapes joined by connectors.

Once the arrows are drawn between the shapes, if you move the shapes around, the arrows adjust to keep the shapes connected.
Figure 1431. Rearrange the shapes, and the connectors stay in place.

If you want to edit where a line connects, click on that line. Red handles will appear on the connector points. Move the red handle to a new location.

This article is an excerpt from Power Excel With MrExcel

Title photo by Guillaume Bourdages on Unsplash