Aspose.Slides FOSS
Python
How to Connect Shapes with Connectors in Python

How to Connect Shapes with Connectors in Python

Connectors in Aspose.Slides FOSS are line shapes that attach to connection sites on other shapes. When you move a connected shape, the connector endpoint moves with it. The most common connector type is BENT_CONNECTOR3, which routes around obstacles with a single elbow bend.

Prerequisites 

pip install aspose-slides-foss

Connection Site Indexes

Every shape has four numbered connection sites:

IndexPosition
0Top center
1Left center
2Bottom center
3Right center

Connect Two Shapes 

from aspose.slides_foss import ShapeType
import aspose.slides_foss as slides
from aspose.slides_foss.export import SaveFormat

with slides.Presentation() as prs:
    slide = prs.slides[0]

    # Add two rectangles
    box1 = slide.shapes.add_auto_shape(ShapeType.RECTANGLE, 50, 200, 200, 100)
    box2 = slide.shapes.add_auto_shape(ShapeType.RECTANGLE, 450, 200, 200, 100)

    box1.add_text_frame("Start")
    box2.add_text_frame("End")

    # Add a bent connector (initial bounds are overwritten by the connection)
    conn = slide.shapes.add_connector(ShapeType.BENT_CONNECTOR3, 0, 0, 10, 10)

    # Connect right side of box1 (site 3) to left side of box2 (site 1)
    conn.start_shape_connected_to = box1
    conn.start_shape_connection_site_index = 3
    conn.end_shape_connected_to = box2
    conn.end_shape_connection_site_index = 1

    prs.save("connected.pptx", SaveFormat.PPTX)

The placeholder bounds (0, 0, 10, 10) passed to add_connector are ignored once the connection endpoints are set; PowerPoint re-routes the connector to the attached shapes.

Connector Types 

from aspose.slides_foss import ShapeType

# Straight line
ShapeType.STRAIGHT_CONNECTOR1

# Single elbow (L-shape)
ShapeType.BENT_CONNECTOR2

# Double elbow (Z-shape): most common
ShapeType.BENT_CONNECTOR3

# Curved connector
ShapeType.CURVED_CONNECTOR3

Style the Connector Line 

from aspose.slides_foss import ShapeType, LineDashStyle
from aspose.slides_foss.drawing import Color
import aspose.slides_foss as slides
from aspose.slides_foss.export import SaveFormat

with slides.Presentation() as prs:
    slide = prs.slides[0]

    box1 = slide.shapes.add_auto_shape(ShapeType.RECTANGLE, 50, 150, 180, 80)
    box2 = slide.shapes.add_auto_shape(ShapeType.RECTANGLE, 500, 300, 180, 80)

    conn = slide.shapes.add_connector(ShapeType.BENT_CONNECTOR3, 0, 0, 10, 10)
    conn.start_shape_connected_to = box1
    conn.start_shape_connection_site_index = 2   # bottom of box1
    conn.end_shape_connected_to = box2
    conn.end_shape_connection_site_index = 0     # top of box2

    # Style: dashed blue line, 2 pt width
    lf = conn.line_format
    lf.width = 2.0
    lf.fill_format.solid_fill_color.color = Color.blue
    lf.dash_style = LineDashStyle.DASH

    prs.save("styled-connector.pptx", SaveFormat.PPTX)

Flowchart with Multiple Connectors 

from aspose.slides_foss import ShapeType
import aspose.slides_foss as slides
from aspose.slides_foss.export import SaveFormat

with slides.Presentation() as prs:
    slide = prs.slides[0]

    # Three-step flowchart
    step1 = slide.shapes.add_auto_shape(ShapeType.RECTANGLE, 350, 50, 200, 70)
    step2 = slide.shapes.add_auto_shape(ShapeType.RECTANGLE, 350, 220, 200, 70)
    step3 = slide.shapes.add_auto_shape(ShapeType.RECTANGLE, 350, 390, 200, 70)

    step1.add_text_frame("Step 1")
    step2.add_text_frame("Step 2")
    step3.add_text_frame("Step 3")

    def connect_vertical(shapes, top_shape, bottom_shape):
        conn = shapes.add_connector(ShapeType.BENT_CONNECTOR3, 0, 0, 10, 10)
        conn.start_shape_connected_to = top_shape
        conn.start_shape_connection_site_index = 2   # bottom
        conn.end_shape_connected_to = bottom_shape
        conn.end_shape_connection_site_index = 0     # top
        return conn

    connect_vertical(slide.shapes, step1, step2)
    connect_vertical(slide.shapes, step2, step3)

    prs.save("flowchart.pptx", SaveFormat.PPTX)

Read Connector Properties 

from aspose.slides_foss import Connector
import aspose.slides_foss as slides

with slides.Presentation("connected.pptx") as prs:
    for shape in prs.slides[0].shapes:
        if isinstance(shape, Connector):
            start = shape.start_shape_connected_to
            end = shape.end_shape_connected_to
            print(f"Connector: {getattr(start, 'name', '?')} → {getattr(end, 'name', '?')}")

See Also