Add or Edit Autoshape Connection Points

[jplath]

I would like to add and/or edit Autoshape connection points. Is this possible
in Word 2007?

For example I would like to have six lines connect to a Rectangle, each to
their own connection point. The rectangle only appears to 4 connection points.

 

[CyberTaz]

Unless there's some way to do so programatically, no. The connection points
are integral aspects of the individual shapes. There is no tool to add,
remove, or reposition them.

 

[jplath]

Unfortunately, that is what I thought. I was hoping for some hidden
"Visio-like" features.

Thanks for your response.

 

[Lene Fredborg]

On some AutoShapes you _can_ add connector points as in Visio. As far as I
can see, this only works for the curved “Lines†(Insert tab > Illustrations
group > Shapes drop-down > Lines group) – but you can form a line to any
shape you wish.

For example, create a line using one of “curved†line tools. If you
right-click the line, you can select “Edit Pointsâ€. You are now in a mode
where you can add connector points using Ctrl+click or by selecting “Add
Point†from the right-click menu. Check the right-click menu both when you
are in “Normal†mode and “Edit Point†mode to see what you can do. For
example, you can change a point to a smooth point. This will add a “tangentâ€
whose end points you can drag to fine adjust the shape.

Previously, I used Visio a lot (I don’t have the program now) and as far as
I remember, the functionality above is much like what you can do in Visio.

Recently, I created a number of Word templates with some rather precise
box-like shapes with curved top and bottom using the method above. The shapes
needed to be 100 % exact copies of shapes created in Adobe InDesign and it
was possible to obtain this.

--
Regards
Lene Fredborg - Microsoft MVP (Word)
DocTools - Denmark
www.thedoctools.com
Document automation - add-ins, macros and templates for Microsoft Word