how can i keep the plot Interaction options permanently visible in the axes toolbar?

Hi, Re: Matlab 2018b figure, it seems the zoom icons (in the interaction options) are now in the axes toolbar (compared to figure toolbar in previous versions). Is it possible to have them visible permanently in the figure/plot rather than appearing and disappearing as the mouse hoovers on a plot? cheers AL

[Maria Geffen]

I'm also interested if this ever is addressed... I use the zoom tool quite often, and in the case of some very large plots I'm not even able to use the toolbars (clicking on them will not expand the toolbar menu, and hovering also does nothing...)

Very disappointed in this plotting "upgrade"...

Answer 1

[Jessa]

Hi Ahmed -- based on feedback from you and other users, as of MATLAB R2026a the axes toolbar is now permanently visible! The toolbar no longer appears and disappears on hover. It shows in a collapsed state by default and expands when you click it.

To have all the buttons visible at all times without needing to click, you just need:

ax.Toolbar.Expanded = 'on';

Or to set that as the default across all axes:

set(groot, 'defaultAxesToolbarExpanded', 'on')

@Maria — this will also help with the issue you mentioned about not being able to reach the toolbar and the hover behavior being finnicky. It's always visible on the axes now, and many of the performance issues and other pain points have been resolved.

More info about the change: https://blogs.mathworks.com/graphics-and-apps/2026/05/04/an-accessible-modern-axes-toolbar/

[Addy]

Many thanks!

Answer 2

[Michel Vergeau]

Actually this has been discussed in the post:

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/419036-what-happened-to-the-figure-toolbar-in-r2018b-why-is-it-an-axes-toolbar-how-can-i-put-the-buttons

They just "upgrad" the toolbar behaviour.

They provided potential solution, but that solution is not good and things continue to break.

[Marina]

Your link is gone... so I guess, no solution

[Vlad Atanasiu]

The archived page is found here: https://web.archive.org/web/20190927123614/https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/419036-what-happened-to-the-figure-toolbar-in-r2018b-why-is-it-an-axes-toolbar-how-can-i-put-the-buttons#toggle-comments

[Addy]

The outburst in that thread lol. No wonder it got deleted. But I saw some say they bought back the interaction buttons from 2020 versions.