Plot Options

Command:

Use the options key in any plot window

DataLab provides many plot options for displaying data. These options can be selected by clicking the set-up symbol of the plot of interest. The options may vary, depending on the type of chart selected. The figure below shows a typical set-up of the plot options window.

Here is an overview of the available options:

Abscissa (x-axis)
	You can switch between linear or logarithmic axes. Note, that logarithmic axes are only possible, if the entire axis is positive and does not include zero.
Ordinate (y-axis)
	You can switch between linear or logarithmic axes. Note, that logarithmic axes are only possible, if the entire axis is positive and does not include zero.
Type of Plot
Col/Idx	plot the data of a single column of the data matrix against the row index.
Row/idx	plot the data of a single row of the data matrix against the column index.
Col/Col	plot the values of two columns against each other.
Row/Row	plot the values of two rows against each other.
Histogram	display a histogram of selected parts of the data matrix.
Cumul.Frequ.	calculate and plot the cumulative frequency distribution of selected parts of the data matrix.
Norm.Prob.Plt.	creates a normal probability plot.
Labeling of Axes
Persistent	The labels of the axes are fixed.
Numeric	The column or row numbers are displayed.
Names	The variable or object names are displayed.
Mode of Display
Lines	line plot, connecting all data points in the order of their occurence in the data matrix
Points	point plot, any data item is displayed as a point which type of can be setup by clicking the button besides this option.
Spectrum	display data as a line spectrum. The data points are shown as spectral lines which are based on the horizontal axis (y=0). This mode is not available for all types of charts.
Classified Line	show data as a line drawing, connecting all data points of the same class. This mode can be used to create distinct overlaid graphs.
Attributes
Any data points may be displayed using one of the following four attributes. In addition, the data can be colored according to the class number.
None	displays the data as is, without any additional attributes.
Numeric	the data points are displayed by using numeric values which indicate either the row or the columns index of the particular point.
Class Symbols	the class numbers are indicated by different symbols.
Class Numbers	the class numbers are displayed as numeric values (range 0 to 127)
Class Colors	if this checkbox is checked the data points are additionally marked by colors which are derived from the corresponding class numbers. The class colors override the default data color. Note that the class colors can be assigned on an individual basis by using the command Setup/Colors/Class Colors.
Colors
The data plots of DataLab are based on four different colors, which can be set up individually for each plot:
Data	this color is used to display the data unless the attributes are set to 'Class Colors'
Fill/Mark	used for filled rectangles (as in histograms) and for indicating marked data
Scale	color of the scales
BkGnd	background color
Grid	grid color. Be sure to select a color different from the background color, otherwise the grid would not be visible
Display Grid Lines
When checked grid lines are displayed. The distance between lines follows the tick marks of the scales.
Zoom Mode
The Zoom Mode determines whether DataLab automatically adjusts the zoom range to fit all data to be displayed. If Zoom Mode is set to fixed the user can specify the range of the displayed data by entering the borders of the intended range. This range will be retained until changed by the user. If Zoom Mode is set to automatic, the zoom range is automatically adjusted whenever new data are displayed.
Data Range
This section is only visible if the plot type has been set either to "Cumul.Frequ.", to "Histogram", or to "Norm.Prob.Plt". You may select which parts of the data matrix are to be used for the calculation of the respective plots (column, row, or all). In case "column" or "row" is selected, the column or row to be used can be selected as usual (see the description of the plot windows on switching the axes).
Histogram Parameters
This section is only visible if the plot type is set to "Histogram". You may select which parts of the data matrix are used for the calculation of the histogram, and the number of histogram bins, and the depth and the angle of the bars. Setting the latter two parameters to non-zero values creates 3D bars. If you tick off the "Show Normal Density" box a normal distribution having the mean and the standard deviation of the displayed data is drawn over the histogram. There are two ways to specify the histogram classes: Automatic: In this mode you can set the number of classes by moving the slider. The bin width and the data range are then calculated by DataLab automatically. The automatic mode is best suited for getting a quick overview. Exact: This option allows to set the origin and the width of the classes precisely. The boundaries of the class bins are calculated such that they form a series of integer multiples of the class width, including the origin.