Aspose.Slides FOSS
Python
Developer Guide
Connectors

Working with Connectors — Aspose.Slides FOSS for Python

Connectors are shapes that visually link two other shapes with a line. Aspose.Slides FOSS for Python supports bent, straight, and curved connectors. The connection points on a shape are identified by integer connection site indexes.

Connection Site Indexes

Each shape exposes four standard connection sites:

IndexSide
0Top
1Left
2Bottom
3Right

Adding a Bent Connector Between 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]

    # Create two shapes to connect
    box1 = slide.shapes.add_auto_shape(ShapeType.RECTANGLE, 50, 150, 150, 60)
    box1.add_text_frame("Start")

    box2 = slide.shapes.add_auto_shape(ShapeType.RECTANGLE, 400, 150, 150, 60)
    box2.add_text_frame("End")

    # Add a bent connector (position/size are ignored once connected)
    conn = slide.shapes.add_connector(ShapeType.BENT_CONNECTOR3, 0, 0, 10, 10)

    # Connect right side of box1 → left side of box2
    conn.start_shape_connected_to = box1
    conn.start_shape_connection_site_index = 3   # right
    conn.end_shape_connected_to = box2
    conn.end_shape_connection_site_index = 1     # left

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

Connector Shape Types

ShapeTypeDescription
ShapeType.BENT_CONNECTOR3Two 90° bends (most common for flowchart-style diagrams)
ShapeType.BENT_CONNECTOR2One 90° bend
ShapeType.BENT_CONNECTOR4Three 90° bends
ShapeType.STRAIGHT_CONNECTOR1Direct straight line
ShapeType.CURVE_CONNECTOR2Single smooth curve
ShapeType.CURVE_CONNECTOR3Double-bend curve

Top-to-Bottom Connection 

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]

    top = slide.shapes.add_auto_shape(ShapeType.RECTANGLE, 250, 80, 200, 60)
    top.add_text_frame("Decision")

    bottom = slide.shapes.add_auto_shape(ShapeType.RECTANGLE, 250, 300, 200, 60)
    bottom.add_text_frame("Action")

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

    prs.save("vertical-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


def add_box(slide, text, x, y, w=160, h=50):
    s = slide.shapes.add_auto_shape(ShapeType.RECTANGLE, x, y, w, h)
    s.add_text_frame(text)
    return s


def connect(slide, s1, site1, s2, site2):
    conn = slide.shapes.add_connector(ShapeType.BENT_CONNECTOR3, 0, 0, 10, 10)
    conn.start_shape_connected_to = s1
    conn.start_shape_connection_site_index = site1
    conn.end_shape_connected_to = s2
    conn.end_shape_connection_site_index = site2
    return conn


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

    start = add_box(slide, "Start", 260, 60)
    process = add_box(slide, "Process Data", 260, 180)
    end = add_box(slide, "End", 260, 300)

    connect(slide, start, 2, process, 0)    # start → process (bottom to top)
    connect(slide, process, 2, end, 0)      # process → end (bottom to top)

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

Formatting a Connector

Connectors support the same line_format properties as other shapes:

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, 150, 60)
    box2 = slide.shapes.add_auto_shape(ShapeType.RECTANGLE, 400, 150, 150, 60)

    conn = slide.shapes.add_connector(ShapeType.BENT_CONNECTOR3, 0, 0, 10, 10)
    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

    # Style the connector line
    conn.line_format.width = 2.5
    conn.line_format.dash_style = LineDashStyle.DASH
    conn.line_format.fill_format.solid_fill_color.color = Color.dark_blue

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

See Also