---
title: Changing the Style and Direction of Automatic Connectors
description: Change the shape and direction of automatic connectors to restructure a diagram's layout.
---
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# Changing the Style and Direction of Automatic Connectors
Automatic Connectors are a special type of line that changes shape as other objects are linked to it, so it can keep any number of shapes automatically connected without breaking. When you create an organizational chart, flowchart, or mind map the lines between shapes is called an automatic connector. New shapes are automatically connected to other shapes at regular intervals.
Automatic Connectors are either perfectly horizontal or vertical. The arrangement of the shapes attached to them can be changed using the SmartPanel on specialized diagram types that use them.
You can change the direction of your Automatic Connector using the SmartPanel of the type of chart you're making. For example, for organizational charts, there's a tool palette for **Org Chart Layout**. Under here, you'll see **Chart Direction** that lets you modify the direction of your chart.
Under **Chart Direction**, you can set **Top Down** and **Bottom Up** for a vertical arrangement. Or **Left to Right** and **Right to Left** for a horizontal arrangement.
You can also change the shape or style of the automatic connector using the SmartPanel of the type of chart you're making. For example, for organizational charts, there's a tool palette for **Org Chart Layout**. Under here, you'll see **Branch Style** that lets you change the arrangement of shapes.
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