Using Connectors
![Diagramming | Using Connectors](/static/assets/help-center/using-connectors/hero.webp)
Connectors are lines that show relationships between shapes. They allow you to easily link shapes together and are context-aware to ensure quicker and more efficient diagramming.
Adding Connectors
Creately’s line connectors enable you to link your shapes together, allowing you to create a flow or show relationships between elements.
There are two ways in which you can add line connectors to your shapes:
- Directly from the shapes
- Using
Plus button
Creating Line Connectors from Shapes Directly
- Select your Shape.
- Select
Draw Connector from the contextual toolbar (Or use the short-cut key C on your keyboard).
- A connector will then be formed from your shape and you may connect it to another shape or the relevant data as needed.
![Creating Line Connectors from Shapes Directly](/static/assets/help-center/using-connectors/connector-shapes-directly-slideshow-1.webp)
![Creating Line Connectors from Shapes Directly](/static/assets/help-center/using-connectors/connector-shapes-directly-slideshow-2.webp)
![Creating Line Connectors from Shapes Directly](/static/assets/help-center/using-connectors/connector-shapes-directly-slideshow-3.webp)
Creating a Connector from the Plus Button
- Select
Line from the options provided in the bottom row.
- Click on the point on your shape from where you want to start the connection line, drag it to the relevant connecting point, and let go of the connection.
![Creating a Connector from the Plus Button](/static/assets/help-center/using-connectors/connector-plus-button-slideshow-1.webp)
![Creating a Connector from the Plus Button](/static/assets/help-center/using-connectors/connector-plus-button-slideshow-2.webp)
![Creating a Connector from the Plus Button](/static/assets/help-center/using-connectors/connector-plus-button-slideshow-3.webp)
![Creating a Connector from the Plus Button](/static/assets/help-center/using-connectors/connector-plus-button-slideshow-4.webp)
Selecting Types of Line Connectors
There are several Line Connector types available for you. These are all available from the contextual toolbar. To select the line style:
- Select the connector you want to change.
- On the contextual toolbar that appears, select a
Line Style available from the drop-down menu.
![Selecting Types of Line Connectors](/static/assets/help-center/using-connectors/line-type-slideshow-1.webp)
![Selecting Types of Line Connectors](/static/assets/help-center/using-connectors/line-type-slideshow-2.webp)
![Selecting Types of Line Connectors](/static/assets/help-center/using-connectors/line-type-slideshow-3.webp)
Adding Text to Line Connectors
- Select the connector you want to change.
- On the contextual toolbar that appears, select
Edit Text or select shortcut T on your keyboard.
- Add or edit your text accordingly.
![Adding Text to Line Connector](/static/assets/help-center/using-connectors/line-text-slideshow-1.webp)
![Adding Text to Line Connector](/static/assets/help-center/using-connectors/line-text-slideshow-2.webp)
Adding Arrowheads to Line Connectors
Arrowheads can be used to highlight the direction of your data, such as to indicate the flow of information.
To add or edit arrowheads:
- Select the connector you want to change.
- On the contextual toolbar that appears, select
Arrowhead Left or
Arrowhead Right and pick a preferred arrowhead style from the drop-down menu.
- Use the
Flip Connector option in the toolbar to change the direction of the arrowhead.
![Adding Arrowheads to Line Connectors](/static/assets/help-center/using-connectors/add-arrowhead-slideshow-1.webp)
![Adding Arrowheads to Line Connectors](/static/assets/help-center/using-connectors/add-arrowhead-slideshow-2.webp)
![Adding Arrowheads to Line Connectors](/static/assets/help-center/using-connectors/add-arrowhead-slideshow-3.webp)
![Adding Arrowheads to Line Connectors](/static/assets/help-center/using-connectors/add-arrowhead-slideshow-4.webp)
Styling Line Connectors
- Select the connector you want to style.
- Select
Style from the contextual toolbar.
- Select the connector you prefer to stylize, then the contextual bar will appear.
![Styling Line Connectors](/static/assets/help-center/using-connectors/style-connector-slideshow-1.webp)
![Styling Line Connectors](/static/assets/help-center/using-connectors/style-connector-slideshow-2.webp)
![Styling Line Connectors](/static/assets/help-center/using-connectors/style-connector-slideshow-3.webp)
Using Custom Glue Points for Connectors
A glue point helps you connect lines between shapes. Usually, when you try to connect two shapes together with a line, the glue points or the connector points appear on the most common points of the shape. This is convenient, except when you want your line connected to a different place on the shape.
You can place a custom glue point in a different place on the shape as follows:
- Click on the shape you want to start the connector from.
- Click on the
Draw Connector icon in the contextual toolbar.
- Click on the tip of the connector and drag it to where you want it to connect.
- Hold the connector for 2 seconds in the exact spot you want it to connect - wait for the glue point to appear. Once connected, you can deselect the connector and continue editing.
![Using Custom Glue Points](/static/assets/help-center/using-connectors/custom-glue-point-slideshow-1.webp)
![Using Custom Glue Points](/static/assets/help-center/using-connectors/custom-glue-point-slideshow-2.webp)
![Using Custom Glue Points](/static/assets/help-center/using-connectors/custom-glue-point-slideshow-3.webp)