Difference Between Connectors tool and Connection Points in Visio

In this article, we are going to discuss the connection point tool and connector tool in Visio. We use mostly connectors to connect shapes to each other also we can add arrowheads on the start point and as well as in the endpoint in Visio.

Note: The screenshots from this tutorial are taken from the Visio Professional and if you are using an older version of mac are different versions.

Table of Contents

1. Connector Tool
2. Connection Point Tool [
3. Difference Between Connector Tool & Connection Point Tool
4. Connector Tool Types
5. Conclusion

Connector Tool

The connector tool is used to connect shapes to each other also we can insert the straight line or lines at 90 degrees in Visio. 

You can also use the connector tool in the older versions as well as in the new version. I am using Microsoft Visio 2019. Also, you can follow the blog if you are using Microsoft Visio 2016 or any older version.

In the home tab > Tools > Connector. As you can see in the following screenshot.

If you want to connect the shapes with the help of the connector then simply insert the shapes first then select the connector tool then your cursor will turn into a connector tool shapes sign as we can see in the tools then connector icons with connector tool in Visio.

I am going to insert a few shapes in Visio then I will select the connector tool to connect them with each other in Visio.

As we can see the rectangle is inserted in Visio and we are going to select the connector tool to connect the shapes to each other.

When we move our cursor to the rectangle then the connection points will show as we can see that when we move our cursor to the first rectangle then five connection points show we can start a connection with any connection point of the first to the other shape. Similarly, the same things will happen with other shapes.

I am going to start with the right middle side connection point and connect it with the other shape as you can see in the following result.

As you can see that dotted lines are there in the connector which means that we have not left our mouse so far. When we will leave after connecting the shapes to each another in Visio. 

you will reach on the following screenshot.

Similarly, we will follow the same method to connect the shapes for the remaining rectangle then finally we will see the following result.

Connection Point Tool

If we talk about the connection point tool, we can add more connection points to our shapes so that we can add more connection points to connect multiple shapes in the same way.

As we have seen in the above example we have seen that each rectangle contain five connection point.

Top, bottom, right, left, and the last one on the center of the rectangle. If you want to see the connection point then you have to select all connection points that will be visible in Visio.

In the home tab > Tools > Connection Tool. As you can see in the following screenshot.

When you will select the connection point tool then all connection point tools will be visible in Visio.

As you can see that all connection points are visible in the above screenshot. 

Now we are going to insert the connection point on the top rectangle we have to select the rectangle first then the Ctrl key then click on the point then a connection point will be selected for this you just have to select the connection tool in Visio. 

As you can see that before this there was only five connection point on the rectangle and now we have inserted another connection tool in Visio as you can see in the circle in the following screenshot.

Similarly, you can add more connection points to the shape where you want to insert and connect them to another shape.

Difference Between Connector Tool & Connection Point Tool

The connector tool is used to connect the shapes in Visio. The connector tool connects one shape to another with the help of the line and also we can add an arrowhead at the start of the first shape and to the other shape in Visio.

while the connection point tool is used to add connection points on the shapes if required we use less connection point tools as compared to the connector tool in Visio.

Conclusion

We learn the difference between the connector tool and the connection point tool in Visio. Now we can both tools while working within Visio.