# Connections

Source: https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/connections
Section: Project Items
Description: Connections link elements, branches, and jumpers into your story flow; create, move, reorder, customize, and reroute them

**Connections** are arrows that connect board items together ([elements](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/elements), [branches](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/branches), and [jumpers](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/jumpers)), creating your project's flow.

> ℹ️ [Notes](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/notes) and [comments](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/comments) are not part of the project's flow and cannot be connected.

In [Play Mode](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-tools/play-mode/overview), connections render as **option buttons**, allowing the player to progress the story by making choices. Connections can also carry [labels](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/labels), which render as the option buttons' text.

![Split screen of an Arcweave board and its Play Mode. Orange rectangles and arrows emphasize how the connections' labels render as option buttons in Play Mode.](https://docs.arcweave.com/assets/connections-labels-options.3BPh55cY.png)

## Sources & targets

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Connections > Sources & targets

![Screenshot showing an element, titled "Source," connected with another, titled "Target," via a connection. The connection has a label that says "Connect!"](https://docs.arcweave.com/assets/connections-source-target.9E84Pp3B.png)

Connections progress the story flow from a **source** item (arrow-tail end) to a **target** item (arrow-head end).

### Output connections

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Connections > Sources & targets > Output connections

From the perspective of the source item, a connection is an **output**.

Only elements and branches can have output connections. [Jumpers](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/jumpers) cannot act as connection sources.

### Input connections

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Connections > Sources & targets > Input connections

Conversely, from the perspective of the target item, a connection is an **input**.

All elements, branches, and jumpers can receive input connections.

### Number of connections

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Connections > Sources & targets > Number of connections

The following rules apply to the number of connections an item can have:

- Elements, branches, and jumpers can have unlimited input connections.
- Elements can have unlimited output connections.
- Branches can have one output connection per condition.
- Jumpers cannot have output connections.

The screenshot below demonstrates these rules.

![Demonstration of how an element, a branch, and a jumper can have input and output connections.](https://docs.arcweave.com/assets/connections-number.ChYENsBD.png)

## Create connections

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Connections > Create connections

Creating a connection is an intuitive process: you drag from the source ([element](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/elements) or [branch](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/branches)) and drop onto a target (element, branch, or [jumper](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/jumpers)) with your mouse.

An alternative is to use [keyboard shortcuts](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/connections#with-keyboard-shortcuts). This reduces context switching between mouse and keyboard, helping you focus on typing.

### With drag and drop

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Connections > Create connections > With drag and drop

The simplest way to create a connection is by dragging and dropping:

1. **Drag from the source**: Depending on the connection's intended source, do the following:
   - **Element**: Drag from any edge.
   - **Branch**: Drag from one of its outputs.
2. **Drop onto the target**: Drop the connection's endpoint on either of the following:
   - **Empty board space**: A menu opens. Choose **Create element here**, **Create jumper here**, or **Create branch here** to create a new item, connected as the target.
   - **An existing item**: The item becomes the connection's target. Where you drop determines whether the connection is [automatic or fixed](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/connections#automatic-and-fixed-connections).

![The menu appearing when dropping a new connection to empty board space offers options to create new element, jumper, and branch at that spot.](https://docs.arcweave.com/assets/connections-create-here.XNjPypMX.png)

### With keyboard shortcuts

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Connections > Create connections > With keyboard shortcuts

#### Create a connected element

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Connections > Create connections > With keyboard shortcuts > Create a connected element

You can also create a **connection leading to a new element** using [keyboard shortcuts](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-tools/interface/keyboard-shortcuts#element-creation-connection):

1. Select an element.
2. Press **Ctrl + Alt/Option/Cmd + an arrow key**. A new element is created in the direction of the arrow and connected to the first element.

> ✅ The new element is selected automatically. To edit it, press **Enter** and start typing.

#### Edit the label of the new connection

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Connections > Create connections > With keyboard shortcuts > Edit the label of the new connection

To add or edit the label of the connection you just created (and assuming your new element is currently selected) you need to first select the connection:

1. Press **Ctrl/Cmd + the opposite arrow key**, meaning the arrow that points back toward the first element. For example, if you pressed **Right arrow** to create the new element, press **Left arrow** to select the connection.
2. Press **Enter** to edit the connection's label.

## Automatic and fixed connections

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Connections > Automatic and fixed connections

Each end of a connection attaches to its item through a **handle**, which can be **automatic** or **fixed**:

- **Automatic handle**:
  - Attaches to the **nearest edge** of the item.
  - **Switches edges automatically** as the source and target items move.
- **Fixed handle**:
  - Stays **locked to a specific side** of the item.
  - **Does not change sides**, even if the items move.

> ℹ️ By default, a connection's source handle is in automatic mode.

### Set the handle mode

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Connections > Automatic and fixed connections > Set the handle mode

The same gesture sets the mode whether you are creating a connection or moving an existing handle. Drag the handle and drop it:

- **On the item's body**: The handle becomes **automatic**. Before you release, the item's entire perimeter is highlighted in orange.
- **On a specific edge**: The handle becomes **fixed**. Before you release, that edge is highlighted in orange.

![Screen recording demonstrating the different ways the target gets highlighted when the user drops in the body or on a specific edge.](https://docs.arcweave.com/assets/connections-drag-drop.B43Er2sX.gif)

To switch an existing handle between modes, drag it away from its current position and drop it using the rules above.

## Delete connections

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Connections > Delete connections

You can delete a connection in any of the following three ways:

- Select it and press **Delete** or **Backspace**.
- Right-click and choose **Delete selection**.
- Drag either of its handles to empty board space.

## Select connections

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Connections > Select connections

Click a connection to select it. To select multiple items, see [Select board items](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-tools/interface/mouse-actions#select-board-items).

## Copy a connection link

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Connections > Copy a connection link

With only the connection selected, right-click the connection or its label on the board and select **Copy link**. Opening the link takes you to the connection's area on its board in the language active when you copied it.

See [Share an item or board position](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-tools/share#share-an-item-or-board-position) for access requirements.

## Move connections

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Connections > Move connections

Each endpoint of a connection has a **handle** that you use to drag and drop with your mouse or trackpad.

### Change source

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Connections > Move connections > Change source

To change a connection's source, drag the connection's source handle and drop it on a new board item.

### Change target

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Connections > Move connections > Change target

To change a connection's target, drag its target handle and drop it on a new board item.

### Change handle mode

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Connections > Move connections > Change handle mode

To switch a handle between automatic and fixed, see [Automatic and fixed connections](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/connections#automatic-and-fixed-connections).

## Reorder connections

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Connections > Reorder connections

Connections render as **player options** in Arcweave's [Play Mode](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-tools/play-mode/overview). They also render in the order in which they were added to the flowchart.

To reorder an element's output connections:

1. Right-click the element on the board.
2. Select **Play Mode > Quickstart Play Mode from here**.
3. Once in Play Mode, press **Edit content** (the **pencil** icon in the top menu).
4. Drag an option by the grip handle on its left, or by its border, to reorder it. Changes are saved automatically.

See [Reorder options](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-tools/play-mode/using-play-mode#reorder-options) for details.

## Customize connections

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Connections > Customize connections

### Change color theme

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Connections > Customize connections > Change color theme

To change a connection's color theme, right-click the connection and select one of the available colors from the menu.

### Change type

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Connections > Customize connections > Change type

Arcweave supports three connection types:

- **Bezier** (default): Smooth curve
- **Straight**: Straight line
- **Flowchart**: Right-angled line with rounded corners

To change the type, right-click the connection and choose from the available icons.

> ✅ Your last selected type becomes the default for new connections.

## Edit connection paths

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Connections > Edit connection paths

By default, Arcweave routes **Bezier** and **Flowchart** connections automatically. You can reshape their paths to avoid overlapping items or to make your board easier to read. **Straight** connections can't be reshaped.

To reshape a connection:

1. Click the connection to select it. Path handles appear on it:
   - **Bezier**: two handles on the curve.
   - **Flowchart**: a handle on each straight segment you can move.
2. Drag a handle. The connection's endpoints stay attached to their items.
   - **Bezier**: the curve bends through the dragged handle while the other handle stays in place.
   - **Flowchart**: the segment moves, and the adjacent segments adjust to keep the right angles. Guides show when the segment aligns with nearby geometry; hold **Alt** while dragging to bypass snapping.
3. Release to save the new path. Press **Escape** before releasing to cancel the drag.

Each drag is a single change that you can undo. Handles hide when the connection is too short for them, and they don't appear in image or PDF exports.

To restore the automatic path, **double-click** (or double-tap) one of the connection's path handles. Changing the connection's [type](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/connections#change-type) also restores automatic routing.

When you move an element, customized **Flowchart** segments stay attached to it, and moving both connected items together moves the whole path. Pasting, duplicating, and exporting keep customized paths.

> ℹ️ Right-click a path handle to open the connection's context menu.