Types of Connectors in PowerPoint 2011 for Mac

We explored what Smart Connectors are in a previous tutorial. To paraphrase again, Smart Connectors are type of lines with special "smart" characteristics that connect one slide object to another. Move a slide object which is connected to a Smart Connector—the Smart Connector automatically resizes and reorients itself to stay connected. In this tutorial, we will explore the various types of Smart Connectors.

PowerPoint 2011 for Mac provides three types of connectors. You will learn more about them in this tutorial. Also, you can scroll down this page to see an online presentation showing their examples.

Straight Connectors

These are straight lines that connect one shape (or any other slide object) to another, as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Straight Connector connecting two Rectangles

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 Lines and Connectors category as shown in Figure 2:

1. Straight connector with no arrowheads
2. Straight connector with an arrowhead on any one end
3. Straight connector with arrowheads on both ends
4. 
   Figure 2: Straight Connectors within the Lines and Connectors category

Elbow Connectors

These are segmented (elbowed) lines that connect one shape (or any other slide object) to another, as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3: Elbow Connector connecting two Rectangles

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 Lines and Connectors category, as shown in Figure 4:

1. Elbow connector with no arrowheads
2. Elbow connector with an arrowhead on any one end
3. Elbow connector with arrowheads on both ends
4. 
   Figure 4: Elbow Connectors within the Lines and Connectors category

Curved Connectors

These are curved lines that connect one shape (or any other slide object) to another, as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5: Curved Connector connecting two Rectangles

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 chose from Lines and Connectors category, as shown in Figure 6:

1. Curved connector with no arrowheads
2. Curved connector with an arrowhead on any one end
3. Curved connector with arrowheads on both ends
4. 
   Figure 6: Curved Connectors within the Lines and Connectors category

In subsequent tutorials, you will learn how to draw, format, move, and change these connectors.

Sample Presentation of Types of Connectors in PowerPoint:

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Click below to view on YouTube