Multiple Connector Lines

[Jim]

In using MS Word drawing tools, you can double click on a standard shape
object (e.g., line, arrow, rectangle, oval, text box, WordArt) object, and
insert multiple incidents of the object (and then ending by pressing the Esc
key). Is there any way to insert multiple incidents of connector lines
(i.e., AutoShapes> Connectors > )? I'm not optimistic, but I thought I'd ask.

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

Hi Jim,

There are two considerations that may be of interest.

If you use drag copy or Ctrl+D (duplicate) of a connector line
it becomes a regular 'autoshape' line.

When you 'tear off' the active connectors menu when you're working
within a Word drawing canvas (needed to have active connectors in
Word) the left hand choice of each of the three rows works with
double click in that tearoff menu. You can then use
'Select Multiple Objects' select the 'Autoshape' named items
(usually the connectors) and apply an arrowhead style to them if needed.

You may also want to consider creating your diagram in Powerpoint.
Powerpoint slides are basically a drawing canvas and you may find
some additional functionallity/flexibility there. You can copy/paste
the diagram into Word from Powerpoint.

=========
In using MS Word drawing tools, you can double click on a standard shape
object (e.g., line, arrow, rectangle, oval, text box, WordArt) object, and
insert multiple incidents of the object (and then ending by pressing the Esc
key). Is there any way to insert multiple incidents of connector lines
(i.e., AutoShapes> Connectors > )? I'm not optimistic, but I thought I'd ask.
--
Jim >>
--
Let us know if this helped you,

Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*

For Everyday MS Office tips to "use right away" -
http://microsoft.com/events/series/administrativetipsandtricks.mspx

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

I wish I'd read this yesterday, before creating half a dozen connectors. I
hadn't realized I could tear off the Connectors flyout. I could have saved a
lot of mouse clicks!

 

[Jim]

Tha"tear off" feature is really great. Just what I needed. Thanks.

 

[Bod]

In Office 2007 (Excel, but I think they're all supposed to work the same now)
I want to connect to the corner of a text box - like a call-out but that
stays connected to what it's referring to.
My idea was to make a text box and then put a vertical line up each side, so
you can connect to either end of either line, which are at each corner of the
text box.
The "line" tool actually seems to be a copy of the connector tool, so you
can't connect to it.
I tried to make a line using the curve tool and then edit points; delete all
but the 2 end points and make the 1 remaining segment straight. It doesn't
act quite how I'd expect if it were simply a line. I can get the lines
(curves) to sit where I want, and group them with the text box.
When I try to connect to the end of the line, the red handles to connect to
don't appear for the lines.

I do have an alternative: make an octagon and move the yellow diamond to the
side so it looks like a rectangle but the conector handles are at the corners.
I'd be interested in your thought though.