How to plot 17 subplots?

I am trying to plot a large number of subplots, but want to make sure formartting is such that it takes the most compact form (instead of having 1 row with 17 plots, 2 rows, with 13 and 14 plots, etc). So in this case, I would like 5 rows of plots with 4 plots in each row and 1 in the last row. If 16 plots are selected, then 4 rows with 4 plots, etc.

[Adam]

Depending on what you are plotting you are probably better of creating your own axes and positioning them in the desired pattern than using subplot. If you don't want x and y tick labels for every plot subplot creates a lot of wasted space around the axes.

[Jan]

Some explicite examples for Adam's suggestion: FEX: Search for "subplot"

I would like 5 rows of plots with 4 plots in each row and 1 in the last row.

These are 21 plots, not 17. What about 4 rows and 5 columns with two diagrams in the last row for 17 diagrams?

Answer 1

[John BG]

Hi Ibro

this is John BG ( <mailto:[e-mail] [e-mail]> )

let be N the amount of images, then the most compact, square-like lay-out is achieved with

L=ceil(N^.5)
for k=1:1:N
   subplot(L,L,k)
   plot(..)  or stem(..) or any other plot type

end

if you find this answer useful would you please be so kind to consider marking my answer as Accepted Answer?

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thanks in advance

John BG

<mailto:[e-mail] [e-mail]>

[John BG]

Ibro

the thing with subplot and a large amount if images is that the area for each image is reduced, therefore losing visual resolution.

One way around would be to plot 17 separate figures

for k=1:1:17
   hf=figure(k)
   plot(..) or stem(..) or any other plot type
   hf.Position=[left down width height]
end

Usually top left corner of the screen is [0 0].

capturing the figure handle you can save further space, away from things not needed, to give more space for the images

hf=figure
hf.ToolBar='none'

Another way would be to group the figures in groups of 4, reducing the amount of needed figures to

N=17
for k=1:1:floor(N/4)
   figure(k)
   for s=1:1:4
      subplot(2,2,s)
      plot(..) or stem(..) or any other plot type
   end
end

for k=(N-floor(N/4)):1:N
figure(k)
   for s=1:1:(N-floor(N/4))
      subplot(2,2,s)
      plot(..) or stem(..) or any other plot type
   end
end

regards

John BG

<mailto:[e-mail] [e-mail]>

Answer 2

[Jan]

This adds a new row only if required:

N = 17;
figure;
nS   = sqrt(N);
nCol = ceil(nS);
nRow = nCol - (nCol * nCol - N > nCol - 1);
for k = 1:N
  subplot(nRow, nCol, k);
  plot(1:10, rand(1, 10));
end

Comparison to the pure square solution: Saving an empty row helps to get the "most compact form", which is not a 5x5 arrangement:

See also:

• FEX: Neatly arrange subplots
• FEX: subplot position calculator

[NIKHIL THOPPIL]

Thank you