Customizing the shape of curved connectors. How to do it?

Question

How do I customize the shape of my curved connectors? I would like to grab a point on the arc and move it to make the arc look the way I want it to. When I click on the curved connector, I only get the two points connecting the shapes and no other midpoints to move.

Answer 1

Rob,

It sounds like this is what you expect to see (I've highlighted the adjustment handles):

You can click and drag one of the handles

to adjust the curvature

If you don't see the handles, the first thing to check is whether you have a line (drawn with the line or arc tool) or a dynamic connector (drawn with the connector tool).

The former does NOT show adjustment handles by default, whereas the latter does. (My screenshots were taken in a flowchart diagram where connectors are the default.)

If your diagram uses lines drawn with the arc tool,

there is a workaround.

On the Home tab, in the Tools group, use the dropdown to select the Pencil tool

When the Pencil tool is active, you'll see at least one adjustment handle

Answer 2

Dear Rob,

Just checking in to see if the above information was helpful. If you have any further updates on this issue, please feel free to post back, your update would be greatly appreciated! If you think my reply is helpful to you, please remember to mark it as an answer.

This helps others in the community facing similar problems. Thanks for your understanding.

Kai-L - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 3

Hi Rob,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community.

I understand you're looking to customize the shape of curved connectors in Microsoft Visio by grabbing points on the arc to adjust its appearance. To customize the shape of curved connectors in Microsoft Visio (or similar diagramming tools), here are some important points and steps to help you achieve the desired arc shape:

Understanding Visio's Curved Connectors:

• Curved connectors in Visio are dynamic connectors that automatically route themselves between shapes.
• When you select a curved connector, you usually see only the two endpoints connecting the shapes.
• Unlike straight or right-angle connectors, curved connectors do not show additional midpoints by default that you can drag to reshape the curve.
• Instead, curved connectors have handles at each end that control the angle and curvature near each connected shape. Steps to Customize the Shape of Your Curved Connectors:

1. Select the Curved Connector
   Click on the connector line between your shapes.
2. Locate Endpoint Handles
   You will see two handles (small dots or circles) at the ends of the connector. These control the direction and curvature of the connector near each shape.
3. Drag the Endpoint Handles
   Dragging these handles changes how sharply the connector curves and the direction it leaves the connected shape, allowing you to customize the arc’s shape indirectly.
4. Add or Remove Bend Points (If Supported)
   • Right-click on the connector line and choose Add Point or hold Shift and click on the connector line to add bend points.
   • Drag these bend points to adjust the connector’s path.
   • Remove unwanted bend points by selecting them and pressing Delete.
5. Change Connector Type for More Control
   If you want more direct control over the shape, consider changing the connector to a straight or right-angle connector, which show bend points more readily.
   To change connector style:
   • Select the connector.
   • Go to the Design tab > Layout group > Connectors dropdown.
   • Choose Curved, Straight, or Right-Angle.
6. Use Developer Tools for Advanced Editing
   • Enable the Developer tab in Visio to access advanced shape operations like Fit Curve, which smooths or adjusts curves.
   • Use the Connection Point tool to add or remove connection points on shapes for more precise control.

Additional Notes

• Curved connectors are designed to automatically route around shapes, so manual editing is limited compared to straight connectors.
• For precise control over the curve shape, you might consider using curved lines (freeform lines) instead of connectors.
• Press Esc several times to exit any special editing mode and return to the pointer tool.

For references:

Edit connector lines, arrows, or points - Microsoft Support

Add connectors between Visio shapes - Microsoft Support

Video: Format connectors - Microsoft Support

I hope this helps you customize your curved connectors as needed. If you need further assistance, feel free to reply. Thank you for your patience and understanding. We appreciate your continued trust.  

Kind regards,

Kai-L - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist