Connect objects with arrows and lines

Arrows and lines let you join objects in a drawing and show how they relate. An arrow can dock to a shape at either end, so it stays attached when you move that shape. This article covers the Arrow and Line tools. To create the shapes you connect, see Draw shapes and text.

You need editor access to draw. If you can only view the drawing, these tools are not available.

Connect two shapes with an arrow

1. In the toolbar, select the Arrow tool. You can also press A, or pick Arrow from the Insert menu.
2. Move the pointer onto the first shape. An outline appears around it to show the arrow will attach.
3. Press and drag from that shape to the second shape, then release. The arrow docks to both shapes.
4. Move either shape. The arrow follows and stays connected.

Draw a simple arrow or line

Select the Arrow tool (A) or the Line tool (L), then press, drag, and release to draw a straight two-point arrow or line. Hold Shift while you drag to lock the angle to steps of 15 degrees.

Draw a multi-point arrow or line

For a connector with several segments, click to place points instead of dragging:

1. Select the Arrow or Line tool.
2. Click once on the canvas to start. Each further click adds a point.
3. Finish with Enter or a double-click. To cancel and drop the draft, press Esc.

While you place points, a hint at the bottom of the canvas reminds you: Enter or double-click to finish · Esc to cancel. Hold Shift as you click to lock each segment to 15-degree steps.

Dock an arrow to a shape

When you start or end an arrow on a shape, it docks (snaps) to that shape's edge. You can dock to rectangles, diamonds, ellipses, text boxes, and images. A docked end follows the shape when you move, resize, or rotate it, so the arrow keeps pointing where you meant.

To stop an end docking, hold Cmd (Mac) or Ctrl (Windows) while you draw or drag it.

Detach or re-dock an end

Select the arrow, then drag the round handle at one end:

• Drag it away from the shape to detach that end.
• Drag it onto another shape to dock it there instead.

Dragging the whole arrow along with its shape keeps them connected.

Reshape an arrow or line

Select a single arrow or line. Round dots appear at each point. Drag a dot to move that point. Drag one of the fainter dots between them to add a new point.

Make an arrow turn at right angles

Select the arrow. In the properties panel on the right, open the Arrow section and set Type to Elbow. The arrow then routes in straight, right-angled segments and bends automatically around the shapes it connects. The other two types are Sharp, a straight line, and Curved.

With Elbow chosen, an Edges row appears. Set it to Sharp for square corners or Rounded for curved ones. To move a bend, drag one of the dots on the arrow's segments. Double-click a dot to reset that segment.

Choose arrowheads

Select the arrow. In the properties panel, open the Arrowheads section. Set the Start and End ends on their own. Each offers None, Arrow, Triangle, Bar, and Circle.

To change the colour, width, or dash style of the shaft, use the stroke controls covered in Style objects.

Add a label to an arrow

Double-click an arrow to type a label on it. Click away when you are done. Once an arrow carries a label, the properties panel adds a Text section where you can set its font and Size. To remove the label, double-click the arrow and delete the text.