Flowchart connectors are grayed out

[Joe Fisher]

Hi, I'm using Office XP Standard. Windows XP Pro, SP2

I do the following to make a flowchart in Word.
1. Insert-Picture-Autoshapes-Flowchart
2. I did one, then the Autoshapes box popped up, so I did another one.

However, then I wanted to join them together. I clicked on "connectors" in
the auto shape box, but they're all grayed out.

Anyone know why my connectors might be grayed out? Better yet, how to get
them back? I've reinstalled Office and rebooted.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Connectors are available only when you are using a drawing canvas. If you
have this option disabled, use Insert | Picture | New Drawing to get one.

 

[Joe Fisher]

Thank you, that worked. However, is there a way I can enable the drawing
canvas without going to Insert->Picture->New Drawing, *then* putting in the
flowchart stuff?

Joe

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

There is a check box on the General tab of Tools | Options, but if you
enable it, you will get a drawing canvas *every* time you insert an
AutoShape (including text boxes). Once your canvas is created, though, I
believe you can drag or copy/paste your existing AutoShapes into it.

 

[Joe Fisher]

Thank you Suzanne.