If you want to use a line that links two shapes together, you may then want that line to be always linked, even if we move the original shapes. This sort of linking is called connecting shapes. And to keep these shapes connected, you most certainly will start by drawing a connector instead of a normal line. A connector looks like a line, but it stays connected to the shapes you attach it to. There are three types of connectors in PowerPoint 2013 for Windows, as in any earlier versions of PowerPoint: Straight, Elbow (angled), and Curved.
Scroll down the page to see an online presentation showing their examples.
Straight Connectors
These are straight lines that connect one shape to another, as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Straight connector, connecting two shapes
Straight connectors can have arrowheads on one or both ends. You thus end up with three variants of straight connectors, that you can choose from the Shapes gallery, as shown in Figure 2:
- Straight connector with no arrowheads, or
- Straight connector with an arrowhead on any one end, or
- Straight connector with arrowheads on both ends
Figure 2: Straight connector variants found within the Shapes gallery
Elbow Connectors
These are segmented (branched) lines that connect one shape to another, as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3: Elbow connector, connecting two shapes
Elbow connectors can also have arrowheads on one or both ends. You thus end up with three variants of elbow connectors, that you can choose from the Shapes gallery, as shown in Figure 4:
- Elbow connector with no arrowheads, or
- Elbow connector with an arrowhead on any one end, or
- Elbow connector with arrowheads on both ends
Figure 4: Elbow connector variants found within the Shapes gallery
Curved Connectors
These are curves that connect one shape to another, as shown in Figure 5.
Figure 5: Curved connector, connecting two shapes
Like straight and elbow connectors, curved connectors can also have arrowheads on one or both ends. You thus end up with three variants of curved connectors, that you can choose from the Shapes gallery, as shown in Figure 6:
- Curved connector with no arrowheads, or
- Curved connector with an arrowhead any on one end, or
- Curved connector with arrowheads on both ends
Figure 6: Curved connector variants found within the Shapes gallery
Sample Presentation of Types of Connectors in PowerPoint:
Click below to view this presentation on SlideShare
Click below to view this presentation on YouTube
See Also:
Types of Connectors in PowerPoint 2011 for Mac
Types of Connectors in PowerPoint 2010 for Windows