Add Connectors and a Background Color

In this video, you will add connectors to show the sequence and direction of steps in your flowchart’s process.

Connectors are lines, usually arrows, that link different flowchart shapes together to show the sequence of events through a flowchart.

They can be straight, angled, or curved.

Connectors help viewers understand how to follow your process to avoid misunderstandings.

To begin, add a connector from your starting point to your first step.

Use the guides to position your connectors.

Show how your steps progress by adding more connectors.

Then add another connector to the decision shape.

Next, look at the “decision” shape in your flowchart...

This is the point where someone following your flowchart will have to make a choice.

Add a connector from the decision to each of the steps.

This time, use an elbow connector.

An elbow connector is an angled line.

Elbow connectors keep your flowchart neat, organized, and easier to see and follow the sequence of the process.

Select either the start or end of the connector to add an arrow.

In this case, you’ll choose an arrow to be placed at the end of each connector to show the direction of the process.

Now, you’ll need to add text to the decision connectors to help you or your viewers decide which step to go to next based on the outcome of the question.

They will decide which shape they need to move to within the flowchart depending upon whether the answer is yes or no.

Then, add elbow connectors and arrows from both of the outcome steps to the next step in your process.

When you’ve finished adding connectors to your shapes, right-click on the drawing to add a background color.

Choose a background color that will make your flowchart stand out and be easy to read, especially the lines, which may not contrast enough with a dark background.

Now, it’s your turn: Add connectors between shapes to show the progression of one step or decision to the next, Add arrows to the end of elbow connectors, Insert text boxes next to the connectors branching out of the “Decision” shape for “yes”and “no” answers, And add a background color to the drawing.