Drawing connecting lines in word

Draw a line with connection points

1. On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, click Shapes.
2. Under Lines, click the connector that you want to add.
3. To draw a line connecting shapes, on the first shape, rest your mouse pointer over the shape or object to which you want to attach the connector.

Add a moveable connection to a shape
Select Home > Connector. Point to the center of a shape until you see a green outline around it. Draw a line to the center of the shape you want to connect to. You’ll see a green outline around the shape when the shapes are connected.

How do you link shapes with arrows in Word?

Adding Connector Arrows

1. Click the Insert tab.
2. Click the Shapes dropdown.
3. Click the desired line type from the gallery.
4. Move your mouse near Shape 1 and little dots denoting connection points will appear on its border.
5. Click on one of the dots and, while holding the left mouse button down, move the mouse over to Shape 2.

How do you make shapes not move in Word?

Follow these steps if you are using Word 2010 or a later version:

1. Display the File tab of the ribbon, then click Options.
2. Click Display at the left side of the dialog box.
3. Select the Object Anchors check box.
4. Click on OK.
5. In Print Layout view, select the shape (the block arrow).

What is the shape of connector?

Both ends in a dynamic connector are surrounded by a blue box, while the start point of a point connector is a hollow red box and its end point is a solid red square. A connection point is a special point on some shapes to which you can attach (or glue) connectors and other shapes.

How do you make a connector in draw io?

Just hover over the starting shape, and you’ll see that blue arrows and crosses appear. Click and drag a connection from one of the crosses or arrows to the crosses or the border of the other shape. The connection you create is dynamic, so the connector will follow the shape if you have to move it.

How do you align shapes in flowchart in Word?

Align shapes

1. Press and hold CTRL and select each of the shapes you want to arrange.
2. On the Shapes tab select the Arrange. button.
3. From the Arrange menu select Align, and then what you’d like to do with the shapes.

How do I enable editing shapes in Word?

Word

1. Click the shape that you want to change.
2. Under Drawing Tools, on the Format tab, in the Insert Shapes group, click Edit Text .
3. Under Text Box Tools, on the Format tab, in the Text Box Styles group, click Change Shape, and then click the shape that you want.

How do I drag a shape in Word?

Move a picture, shape, text box, or WordArt

1. Click the border of the WordArt, text box, or shape that you want to move. To move multiple text boxes or shapes, press and hold Ctrl while you click the borders.
2. When the cursor changes to the four headed arrow, drag it to the new location.

What is an anchor in Word?

The anchor is a symbol that sometimes appears when you insert an image, or a SmartArt, or a drawing into a Word document.Suppose you want to keep the picture fixed to one location or position. You can click it, and wrapping options will appear. Here, you can pick ‘Fix position on page.

How do I lock alignment in Word?

On the Review tab, in the Protect group, click Protect Document, and then click Restrict Formatting and Editing. In the Restrict Formatting and Editing task pane, click Stop Protection.

How do you insert an anchor in Word?

Step-by-step guide: How to insert anchors

1. Place your cursor in the text editor where you’d like to insert the anchor. You can click a word or place your cursor immediately before it.
2. Click Insert / Remove anchor in the Links section of the Insert ribbon tab.
3. After you assign a name to the anchor, click OK.

What three actions can the connector shape perform?

The available actions are determined by the type of connector that you select. Examples are: Get, Send, Create, Query, Delete, Update, etc.

What is the connector shape ability?

The connector shapes allow you to contain all of the information that is needed to connect to a data source or application within your Boomi processes. Connectors enable you to easily connect one third-party application to another, such as Salesforce to NetSuite, to send and receive data.

What tool is used to manually connect shapes when they are not already connected?

To allow the connector to move to the closest available connection point, position the Connector tool over the center of the first shape until a red box appears around the shape. Hold down the mouse button and drag to the center of the second shape.

How do you connect shapes with lines?

Draw a line with connection points

1. On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, click Shapes.
2. Under Lines, click the connector that you want to add.
3. To draw a line connecting shapes, on the first shape, rest your mouse pointer over the shape or object to which you want to attach the connector.

How do you connect flowchart shapes?

Follow these steps to connect two flowchart shapes:

1. Insert two flowchart shapes, as shown in Figure 1.
2. Figure 1: Text that makes you happy?
3. Now, access the Insert tab of the Ribbon, and click the Shapes button (this works in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
4. Figure 2: Choose a connector with an arrowhead.

How do I apply a shape style to a text box in Word?

To change the shape style:

1. Select the text box you want to change.
2. On the Format tab, click the More drop-down arrow in the Shape Styles group.
3. A drop-down menu of styles will appear. Select the style you want to use.
4. The text box will appear in the selected style.

How do I move an object anchor in Word?

Click once on the object whose anchor you want to move. You should be able to see the object anchor icon as well. Click on the object anchor icon and drag it either up (towards the beginning of the document) or down (towards the end of the document).

How do you move a shape slightly in Word?

Move a picture, shape, text box, or WordArt

1. Drag it to the new location.
2. Press and hold Ctrl while pressing an arrow key to move in small increments.
3. Press and hold Shift while you drag it to move the object horizontally or vertically only.

Thanks to some clever Office Watchers, there’s a way for Microsoft Word to connect shapes with lines or arrows that remain connected when moved.  We’ll explain the trick and why it’s needed in Word and Outlook but not other Office apps.

As we’ve already explained, in Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher, you can connect shapes with lines or arrows that change when you move the shapes around.  But in Word and Outlook that doesn’t happen, by default.

Word does have connected shapes

The trick with Word and Outlook for Windows is to add a Drawing Canvas before inserting shapes, lines or arrows. 

Don’t blame the messenger: Word and Outlook for Mac do not have the Drawing Canvas and therefore no shape connectors are available. Mac versions of Excel and PowerPoint DO have connectors, just like the Windows versions of the apps.

Go to Insert | Shapes then waaay down the bottom is ‘New Drawing Canvas’.  You might have to scroll down to see it …

A Drawing Canvas is a special region in a document that contains shapes and other drawing objects.  A Drawing Canvas is transparent and borderless by default, but that can be changed from the Shape Format tab.  The usual Text Wrapping options are also available. If you’re familiar with Text Boxes, then Drawing Canvases are much the same. 

Within a Word/Outlook Drawing Canvas, Shapes can be connected.  When you add a line/arrow inside a Drawing Canvas, the tell-tale grey connection dots appear (Office for Windows).

Link the line or arrow to one of the connection points and the line will stick to that point if you move the shape.

Changing the Insert Shapes default for Drawing Canvas

Word is preset to insert shapes without a Drawing Canvas but that can be changed.

Go to File | Options | Advanced | Editing and look for “Automatically create drawing canvas when inserting AutoShapes”.

Turn that option on and you’ll get a drawing canvas each time a shape is added and thus connections are available.

There are pros and cons to enabling that choice.  It’s faster if you need connected shapes and keeps all the shapes together inside the canvas.  But a drawing canvas will automatically fill the entire page width regardless of the size you need.

Word/Outlook adding a shape with automatic drawing canvas which takes up page width and extra height.

Without the drawing canvas, shapes only take up the space needed.

The Drawing Canvas can be resized and wrapping changes

Copy / Paste from other Office apps

If you have connected shapes in Excel, PowerPoint or Publisher they can be copied into Word or Outlook email but only if you paste into a Drawing Canvas.

Pasting direct into a document or email only partly works. All the shapes are pasted but the connections are lost.

Why is the Drawing Canvas necessary?

Good question … nearest we can tell, the short answer is ‘History’.

Back in the dim dark past of Microsoft Word, a Drawing Canvas was needed to add any kind of shape.

Then Microsoft changed Word so shapes could be inserted directly into a document or email.  Later, Shapes were added to Excel, Publisher and PowerPoint including connections by default but the same feature wasn’t retro-fitted into Word.

Direct inserting of shapes is what Word and Outlook users have now done for many years with the Drawing Canvas all but forgotten.

Gracias

Many thanks to Ron S. and James C. who have a better memory of Word’s history than we do!  Both reminded us of the archaic Drawing Canvas and its usefulness.

Why can’t Word connect shapes?
Connecting Shapes in Office with lines or arrows

There are a lot of other types of organizational structures, and you may need to create an
organizational chart with one or several shapes that have multiple connected shapes:

If you need to create an organizational diagram with two or more connection lines for the entity,
you can:

• Use the standard shapes and create your organization graph from scratch (see
  How to create a flowchart in Word),
• Create the pre-defined SmartArt organizational chart, and, in the end, convert it to the
  standard shapes and add additional connections:

   I.   Create a SmartArt organizational chart

For example, the simple one:

   II.   Convert created SmartArt to the shapes

   1.   Prepare the place for the shapes (you can skip these steps,
but using the drawing canvas will make it easier and faster to make various changes, such as
resizing, modifying):

   1.1.   Place the cursor where you want to paste the selected shapes.

   1.2.   On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group,
click Shapes:

   1.3.   On the Shapes list, click New Drawing Canvas:

Word adds the new drawing canvas for the shapes:

   1.4.   Resize the added drawing:

   1.4.1.   Select the SmartArt and check its sizes on the
SmartArt Format tab, in the Size group:

   1.4.2.   Select the drawing canvas and make its sizes bigger or
similar on the Shape Format tab, in the Size group.

   2.   Select all or some shapes in the SmartArt graphic.

Notes:

1. To select all objects, press Ctrl+A.
2. To select several different shapes, hold Ctrl, and select each shape.
   If you select just some shapes, don’t forget about connectors (connection lines).

For example:

   3.   Copy the selected shapes to the Clipboard by clicking
the Copy button on the Home tab, in the Clipboard group (or press Ctrl+C).

   4.   On the Home tab, in the Clipboard group, click
the Paste and then in the Paste dropdown list, select Paste Special…:

   5.   In the Paste Special dialog box, make sure that the
option Microsoft Office Graphic Object is selected and click OK:

Word pastes the selected shapes to the drawing canvas:

   III.   Add additional connection lines

On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, click Shapes and then on the
Shapes list, under Lines, select the connection line you prefer.

For example, Connector: Elbow:

Connect shapes you need, using the selected connector type.

See also this tip in French:
Comment créer un organigramme avec deux ou plusieurs lignes de connexion.

A flowchart is a visual representation of the steps or order involved in a process, workflow, or another organization chart. In this guide, we show you how to use shapes to create a flowchart in a Microsoft Word document, as well as how to use pre-designed SmartArt graphics, and how to use flowchart makers and templates. Instructions apply to Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2019, Word 2016, and Word 2013.

Use Shapes to Create a Flowchart in Word

To create a flowchart from scratch, start with a drawing canvas, then add shapes to it, change the color and outline of the shapes, label the shapes, and draw connecting lines between the shapes to show their relationship to each other.

Create the Drawing Canvas

A drawing canvas acts as a frame around the flowchart shapes and groups the shapes as one object. This way, the text flows around the flowchart and the shapes stay in the position you intended.

To add a drawing canvas to a Word document and change the way it looks:

1. Select the location in the Word document where the drawing canvas will be located.

2. Go to the Insert tab and select Shapes > New Drawing Canvas to add a drawing canvas to the document.

3. To change the way text flows around the drawing canvas, select the drawing canvas, go to the Shape Format tab, and select Wrap Text.

4. Choose how the text will wrap around the drawing canvas. For example, choose Top and Bottom to prevent text from appearing along the sides of the canvas.

5. To change the size of the drawing canvas, drag a corner or side resize handle to make the drawing canvas smaller or larger.

   To make the drawing canvas a specific size, select the shape, go to the Shape Format tab and, in the Size group, enter values for the Shape Height and Shape Width.

6. To add a border, select the drawing canvas, go to the Shape Format tab, and select Shape Outline.

7. In the Color palette, choose an outline color, select Weight to change the line thickness, and select Dashes to change the line style.

8. When the drawing canvas looks the way you want, start adding shapes.

Add Shapes to the Drawing Canvas

Before you add shapes to the drawing canvas, make a sketch of the flowchart. This will give you a plan to follow as you design the flowchart in Word.

To add shapes to the drawing canvas:

1. Go to the Insert tab and select Shapes.

2. Go to the Flowchart section and select a shape. For example, select the Process shape as the beginning point of the flowchart.

3. Select a location on the drawing canvas to place the shape. A shape with a default size and color is drawn on the canvas.

4. Add other shapes to complete the flowchart.

5. If you don’t like the way the shapes look, resize them or go to the Shape Format tab to change the fill color, add an outline color, apply a shape style, or apply a shape effect.

Add Text to Shapes

Flowchart shapes need text that briefly describes the purpose of each step in the process.

To add text to shapes:

1. Double-click the shape.

2. Enter descriptive text that explains the purpose or job of the shape.

3. Select a blank area of the drawing canvas when you finish typing.

4. To format text in a shape, select the shape, go to the Home tab, and change the font color, font style, and font size.

5. To apply the same text formatting to every shape, select an area of the drawing canvas and press Ctrl+A to select all shapes. Then, change the look of the text.

Add Connectors Between Shapes

Draw lines, or connectors, between shapes to show the relationship between the them. Connectors have connection points at each end of the line that stays connected to the shapes it’s attached to. These lines are only connected to shapes that have dots on the shape outline.

To draw connecting lines between shapes:

1. Go to the Insert tab and select Shapes.

2. In the Lines section, select a line shape to use as a connector between shapes.

3. Drag from one shape to another shape. As you drag from one shape to another, dots appear on the outline of the two shapes. These dots indicate where a connector line can be attached.

4. Continue to add lines until all the shapes are connected.

5. To move a line, select the line, then drag an endpoint.

6. To move a connected shape, select the shape and drag it to a different place. The lines that are connected to the dots on the shape stay attached to the shape.

7. To change the look of lines, select the lines you want to change, go to the Shape Format tab, select Shape Outline, then choose a line color, thickness, and style. 

Use SmartArt to Create a Flowchart in Word

If you want a flowchart with some graphical appeal, create it with SmartArt. Some of the built-in SmartArt graphics are like a flowchart template for Word. To add a SmartArt graphic to a Word document, choose a SmartArt style, change the number of shapes, add your text, and changes the look of the SmartArt.

Select a SmartArt Graphic

To add a SmartArt graphic to a Word document:

1. Place the cursor where you want to insert the SmartArt graphic.

2. Go to the Insert tab.

3. In the Illustrations group, select SmartArt.

   If you don’t see the SmartArt icon, go to the Search box and enter SmartArt.

4. In the Choose a SmartArt Graphic dialog box, select Process to view the available flowchart styles.

5. Choose a flowchart style, then select OK.

6. The SmartArt graphic appears in the Word document.

Add Shapes to a SmartArt Flowchart

If there aren’t enough shapes in the SmartArt graphic for your flowchart, add more shapes.

To add a new shape:

1. Select a shape at the location where you want to add the new shape.

2. Go to the SmartArt Design tab, then select the Add Shape dropdown arrow.

3. Choose in which direction the new shape will be added.

4. After you’ve added all the SmartArt shapes that you’ll need for your flowchart, add descriptive text.

Add Text to a SmartArt Graphic

To add text to the shapes in a SmartArt flowchart:

1. Select the arrow on the left side of the SmartArt graphic.

2. In the Text Pane, enter the text for each shape.

   To add a new bullet point to a shape, press Enter after the line of text.

3. Close the Text Pane when you’re finished.

Change the Look of SmartArt Flowchart

There are several ways to make your SmartArt flowchart look different. Experiment with different colors, add images and move shapes to different locations.

• To change the color of the SmartArt shapes, select the shapes, go to the SmartArt Design tab, select Change Colors, and choose a color combination.
• Some SmartArt graphics have space for images. To add a picture, select the Picture icon on a shape, then choose to either insert a picture From a File on your computer, browse for Online Pictures from sources such as Bing and OneDrive, or add a picture From Icons stored in Word or on your computer.
• To move a shape, select the shape, go to the SmartArt Design tab, and choose either Move Selection Up or Move Selection Down.

If you don’t like the changes you made to a SmartArt graphic, go to the SmartArt Design tab and select Reset Graphic. 

Find a Flowchart Maker or Flowchart Templates for Word

You’re not limited to the tools found in Word to make a flowchart. There are several Word add-ins and free templates that will get you started quickly.

Download Free Flowchart Templates

If you want a basic flowchart that will get you started, go to HubSpot and download their free flowchart template for Word.

You’ll find more detailed flowchart templates at Template.Net. There are flowchart templates for process flows, organizational charts, accident reporting, and yes or no type charts.

To use these flowchart templates, download the template to your computer, open the document in Word, and make changes to the shapes and text to fit your needs.

Install a Word Flowchart Maker Add-in

You’ll also find flowchart makers in the Microsoft Office Store.

To install a flowchart maker add-in for Word:

1. Go to the Insert tab.

2. In the Add-ins group, select Get Add-ins.

3. In the Office Add-ins page, go to the Search text box, enter flowchart, and press Enter.

4. Select one of the available flowchart makers.

5. To install the add-in, select Add.

6. After the add-in installs, it opens in a pane on the right side of Word.

   The flowchart maker add-in may require you to log in to use its online flow chart creator service.

7. When you’re finished using the add-in, select Close.

8. If you want to use the add-in again, go to Insert > Add-ins > My Add-ins.

Thanks for letting us know!

Drawing shapes are a great way to add common graphic flourishes to your document. The drawing capabilities of Word allow you to define connectors that link different shapes together. These connectors are available if you create your drawing within the drawing canvas, and they are dynamic in nature. This means that even if you move the connected shapes around on the canvas, the connectors stretch, bend, and move as necessary to keep the links valid.

To see how connectors work, try this:

1. Display the Insert tab of the ribbon.
2. In the Illustrations group, click the Shapes tool. Word displays a plethora of options.
3. Click New Drawing Canvas. Word displays the drawing canvas and the Format tab of the ribbon. (This step is very important; if you don’t work in a drawing canvas, you cannot use connectors.)
4. Using the Insert Shapes group at the left of the ribbon, select a shape you want to create.
5. Click and drag within the drawing canvas to create the shape you selected in step 4.
6. Use the Insert Shapes group to choose another shape.
7. Click and drag within the drawing canvas to create the second shape.
8. Again, using the Insert Shapes group, select the connector you want to use. (Connectors are in the Lines category. If you hover the mouse pointer over the «line» you will see a description such as «Connector: Elbow» or «Connector: Curved.»)
9. In the drawing canvas, move the mouse pointer over one of the shapes you previously placed. You should see one or more connector dots appear around the perimeter of the shape. (The color and style of these dots vary depending on which version of Word you are using.) These dots are smaller than the regular handles, and they represent connection points you can use.
10. Click on or near one of the connection points. This anchors one end of the connector. (See Figure 1.)



Figure 1. One end of the connector is anchored.

11. Move the mouse pointer over the other shape and click on a connection point there. The connector is now in place. (See Figure 2.)



Figure 2. Both ends of the connector is anchored to both shapes.

Note that in step 9 you may not see any connector dots by moving the mouse pointer over one of the shapes. If that is the case, click on one end of the connector line and drag it to the perimeter of the shape. The mouse pointer changes to a large plus sign and at least one connector dot appears on the perimeter of the shape. «Drop» the end of the connector line on a connection point and that end of the connector line is anchored to the shape. Repeat this process with the other end of the connector line to anchor it to the other shape.

Now you can move the original shapes around, and the connector remains connected to the two connection points you selected. You can add additional shapes, as desired, with any connectors you desire.

You should be aware that connectors are only available between shapes placed on the drawing canvas. If you try to create a connector involving a shape that is outside of the drawing canvas, connectors are no longer available from the menus or ribbon.

Author Bio

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. Learn more about Allen…