Add connectors between Visio Shapes

You can use AutoConnect to connect shapes as you add them, and you can connect existing
shapes by using the Connector tool. You can also change the shapes that appear in the mini
toolbar and turn AutoConnect on or off.

Automatically connect a shape

One way to connect shapes is to let Visio connect them automatically when you add shape to a
page. This is especially convenient when you are creating a flowchart.

1. Make sure that AutoConnect is active. On the View tab, in the Visual Aids group, verify

that AutoConnect is selected.
2. Drag a shape from the Shapes pane to the page.
3. Hold the pointer over the shape until AutoConnect arrows appear around the shape.

4. Hold the pointer over the arrow in the direction you want to add a shape.

A mini toolbar appears that contains the first four Quick Shapes that are currently in the Quick
Shapes stencil. When you point at a shape on the toolbar, Visio displays a preview of that shape
on the page.
5. Click the shape you want to add.
6. If you want to continue, point to an AutoConnect arrow on a newly added shape to add
another shape that will also be automatically connected.

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Connect shapes already on the page

Tip: The commands in the Tools group on the Home tab put Visio into a different state or

mode, which admittedly can be confusing sometimes. Use the keyboard to conveniently switch

between the Pointer Tool   (press Ctrl+1) and Connector   (press Ctrl+3) tools. Whatever
tool you are using, such as Text Block or Connection Point, press Esc several times to return to
the Pointer Tool.

1. On the Home tab, in the Tools group, click Connector   or press Ctrl+3.

2. Click a shape and drag a connector to another shape.

3. When you’re done, click Pointer Tool   on the Home tab in the Tools group or

press Ctrl+1.

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Connect to a shape on another page

 You can only use connectors between shapes on the same page. To connect to a shape on
another page, use the Off-page Reference shape to create a hyperlink from one page to the
next, or add a Hyperlink and Double-click action to any shape so it can navigate to a different
page in the same document.

Use Off-page Reference

1. Open the Basic Flowchart Shapes stencil, and then drag the Off-page reference shape

on the current page.

2. In the Off-page reference dialog box, select OK to add the shape to the current page
and a newly-created page.
3. On the new page, continue to create your diagram.
4. To change the appearance of the Off-page reference shape, right-click the shape and
then select Outgoing, Incoming, Circle, or Arrow.

To move between pages, double-click the Off-page reference shape on either page. For more
information, see Off-Page Reference dialog box.

Use Hyperlink and Double-Click

1. Right-click any shape or press CTRL+K, and then select Hyperlink.

2. Click Browse next to the Sub-address field, and then click the drop-down list next
to Page to select the page you want.
 Note: The name of a shape on the destination page can also be specified for a hyperlink. Click
the Developer tab, and then select Shape Name Use the default name in the Name field, or
edit it and then click OK.

3. To set the double-click action for a shape, click the Developer tab, and then
select Behavior.
4. Click the Double-Click tab, select the Go to page option, and then click the drop-down
list to select the page you want.