Formatting Issues

How to Center Connector Lines in PowerPoint Diagrams

Chanuka Geekiyanage Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to adjust connector lines in a PowerPoint SmartArt diagram so they attach to the center of the boxes rather than the sides.

How to Center Connector Lines in PowerPoint Diagrams

Product: Microsoft PowerPoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Formatting a SmartArt diagram to improve its visual alignment and layout.
Observed behavior: Connector lines automatically snap to the sides of the SmartArt boxes and cannot be manually centered without modifying the diagram's structure.

Before you start

Ensure you have finalized the overall structure and text of your SmartArt diagram, as converting it to shapes will remove automatic SmartArt formatting and layout features.

Solution 1Recommended

Convert SmartArt to Shapes for Manual Alignment

Converting the SmartArt graphic into individual shapes allows you to detach the connector lines and reconnect them precisely to the center points of your boxes.

SmartArt uses predefined layouts that lock connector lines to specific anchor points on the sides of shapes. To gain full control over where lines attach, you must first break the SmartArt graphic down into standard PowerPoint shapes.

Select the SmartArt diagram

Click anywhere on your SmartArt diagram to select it. This will reveal the 'SmartArt Design' tab on the top ribbon.

Convert to shapes

Navigate to the 'SmartArt Design' tab, click on the 'Convert' button, and select 'Convert to Shapes' from the drop-down menu.

Adjust the connectors

Click on a connector line to select it. Click and drag the endpoints of the line towards the center of your shape. Red anchor points will appear; drop the line onto the center anchor point to snap it into place.

Convert SmartArt to Shapes for Manual Alignment

Alternative Creation Methods: If your diagram was not created using SmartArt, you may simply need to ungroup the shapes (Right-click > Group > Ungroup) before adjusting the connector lines.

Effortless Diagram Editing

Easily Create and Edit Diagrams with WPS Presentation

WPS Presentation offers seamless compatibility with Microsoft PowerPoint files, allowing you to easily insert, convert, and perfectly align SmartArt diagrams and connector lines.

1. Open your file in WPS Presentation: Launch WPS Presentation and open the slide containing your diagram.
2. Access SmartArt Tools: Click on the SmartArt diagram to activate the 'SmartArt Tools' tab on the top ribbon.
3. Convert to Shapes: Click the 'Convert' icon in the ribbon and choose 'Convert to Shapes' to turn the diagram into editable objects.
4. Center the connector lines: Drag the endpoints of the connector lines to the center anchor points of the shapes until they snap into place.

Fully compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt and .pptx) formats.Intuitive SmartArt conversion and shape formatting tools.Advanced alignment guides for perfect centering.Free and lightweight office suite for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I center connector lines without converting SmartArt to shapes?

No, standard SmartArt layouts have predefined connection points that cannot be individually reassigned. You must convert the SmartArt to shapes to manually move the connectors to custom anchor points.

How do I make a connector line snap to the exact center of a shape?

Once the diagram is converted to shapes, click and drag the end of the connector line towards the target shape. Small anchor points (usually red or grey dots) will appear on the shape. Drag your cursor to the center dot to snap the line perfectly into place.

Can I revert the shapes back into a SmartArt graphic later?

Converting SmartArt to shapes is a one-way process. Once converted, it becomes a standard grouped object. If you anticipate needing to change the layout later, it is highly recommended to duplicate the slide and keep an original SmartArt version hidden as a backup.

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