function hh = rotateXLabels( ax, angle, varargin )
%rotateXLabels: rotate any xticklabels
%
% hh = rotateXLabels(ax,angle) rotates all XLabels on axes AX by an angle
% ANGLE (in degrees). Handles to the resulting text objects are returned
% in HH.
%
% hh = rotateXLabels(ax,angle,param,value,...) also allows one or more
% optional parameters to be specified. Possible parameters are:
% 'MaxStringLength' The maximum length of label to show (default inf)
%
% Examples:
% >> bar( hsv(5)+0.05 )
% >> days = {'Monday','Tuesday','Wednesday','Thursday','Friday'};
% >> set( gca(), 'XTickLabel', days )
% >> rotateXLabels( gca(), 45 )
%
% See also: GCA, BAR
% Copyright 2006-2013 The MathWorks Ltd.
error( nargchk( 2, inf, nargin ) );
if ~isnumeric( angle ) || ~isscalar( angle )
error( 'RotateXLabels:BadAngle', 'Parameter ANGLE must be a scalar angle in degrees' )
end
angle = mod( angle, 360 );
[maxStringLength] = parseInputs( varargin{:} );
% Get the existing label texts and clear them
[vals, labels] = findAndClearExistingLabels( ax, maxStringLength );
% Create the new label texts
h = createNewLabels( ax, vals, labels, angle );
% Reposition the axes itself to leave space for the new labels
repositionAxes( ax );
% If an X-label is present, move it too
repositionXLabel( ax );
% Store angle
setappdata( ax, 'RotateXLabelsAngle', angle );
% Only send outputs if requested
if nargout
hh = h;
end
%-------------------------------------------------------------------------%
function [maxStringLength] = parseInputs( varargin )
% Parse optional inputs
maxStringLength = inf;
if nargin > 0
params = varargin(1:2:end);
values = varargin(2:2:end);
if numel( params ) ~= numel( values )
error( 'RotateXLabels:BadSyntax', 'Optional arguments must be specified as parameter-value pairs.' );
end
if any( ~cellfun( 'isclass', params, 'char' ) )
error( 'RotateXLabels:BadSyntax', 'Optional argument names must be specified as strings.' );
end
for pp=1:numel( params )
switch upper( params{pp} )
case 'MAXSTRINGLENGTH'
maxStringLength = values{pp};
otherwise
error( 'RotateXLabels:BadParam', 'Optional parameter ''%s'' not recognised.', params{pp} );
end
end
end
end % parseInputs
%-------------------------------------------------------------------------%
function [vals,labels] = findAndClearExistingLabels( ax, maxStringLength )
% Get the current tick positions so that we can place our new labels
vals = get( ax, 'XTick' );
% Now determine the labels. We look first at for previously rotated labels
% since if there are some the actual labels will be empty.
ex = findall( ax, 'Tag', 'RotatedXTickLabel' );
if isempty( ex )
% Store the positions and labels
labels = get( ax, 'XTickLabel' );
if isempty( labels )
% No labels!
return
else
if ~iscell(labels)
labels = cellstr(labels);
end
end
% Clear existing labels so that xlabel is in the right position
set( ax, 'XTickLabel', {}, 'XTickMode', 'Manual' );
setappdata( ax, 'OriginalXTickLabels', labels );
else
% Labels have already been rotated, so capture them
labels = getappdata( ax, 'OriginalXTickLabels' );
set(ex, 'DeleteFcn', []);
delete(ex);
end
% Limit the length, if requested
if isfinite( maxStringLength )
for ll=1:numel( labels )
if length( labels{ll} ) > maxStringLength
labels{ll} = labels{ll}(1:maxStringLength);
end
end
end
end % findAndClearExistingLabels
%-------------------------------------------------------------------------%
function restoreDefaultLabels( ax )
% Restore the default axis behavior
removeListeners( ax );
% Try to restore the tick marks and labels
set( ax, 'XTickMode', 'auto', 'XTickLabelMode', 'auto' );
rmappdata( ax, 'OriginalXTickLabels' );
% Try to restore the axes position
if isappdata( ax, 'OriginalAxesPosition' )
set( ax, 'Position', getappdata( ax, 'OriginalAxesPosition' ) );
rmappdata( ax, 'OriginalAxesPosition' );
end
end
%-------------------------------------------------------------------------%
function textLabels = createNewLabels( ax, vals, labels, angle )
% Work out the ticklabel positions
zlim = get(ax,'ZLim');
z = zlim(1);
% We want to work in normalised coords, but this doesn't print
% correctly. Instead we have to work in data units even though it
% makes positioning hard.
ylim = get( ax, 'YLim' );
if strcmpi( get( ax, 'XAxisLocation' ), 'Top' )
y = ylim(2);
else
y = ylim(1);
end
% Now create new text objects in similar positions.
textLabels = -1*ones( numel( vals ), 1 );
for ll=1:numel(vals)
textLabels(ll) = text( ...
'Units', 'Data', ...
'Position', [vals(ll), y, z], ...
'String', labels{ll}, ...
'Parent', ax, ...
'Clipping', 'off', ...
'Rotation', angle, ...
'Tag', 'RotatedXTickLabel', ...
'UserData', vals(ll));
end
% So that we can respond to CLA and CLOSE, attach a delete
% callback. We only attach it to one label to save massive numbers
% of callbacks during axes shut-down.
set(textLabels(end), 'DeleteFcn', @onTextLabelDeleted);
% Now copy font properties into the texts
updateFont();
% Update the alignment of the text
updateAlignment();
end % createNewLabels
%-------------------------------------------------------------------------%
function repositionAxes( ax )
% Reposition the axes so that there's room for the labels
% Note that we only do this if the OuterPosition is the thing being
% controlled
if ~strcmpi( get( ax, 'ActivePositionProperty' ), 'OuterPosition' )
return;
end
% Work out the maximum height required for the labels
labelHeight = getLabelHeight(ax);
% Remove listeners while we mess around with things, otherwise we'll
% trigger redraws recursively
removeListeners( ax );
% Change to normalized units for the position calculation
oldUnits = get( ax, 'Units' );
set( ax, 'Units', 'Normalized' );
% Not sure why, but the extent seems to be proportional to the height of the axes.
% Correct that now.
set( ax, 'ActivePositionProperty', 'Position' );
pos = get( ax, 'Position' );
axesHeight = pos(4);
% Make sure we don't adjust away the axes entirely!
heightAdjust = min( (axesHeight*0.9), labelHeight*axesHeight );
% Move the axes
if isappdata( ax, 'OriginalAxesPosition' )
pos = getappdata( ax, 'OriginalAxesPosition' );
else
pos = get(ax,'Position');
setappdata( ax, 'OriginalAxesPosition', pos );
end
if strcmpi( get( ax, 'XAxisLocation' ), 'Bottom' )
% Move it up and reduce the height
set( ax, 'Position', pos+[0 heightAdjust 0 -heightAdjust] )
else
% Just reduce the height
set( ax, 'Position', pos+[0 0 0 -heightAdjust] )
end
set( ax, 'Units', oldUnits );
set( ax, 'ActivePositionProperty', 'OuterPosition' );
% Make sure we find out if axes properties are changed
addListeners( ax );
end % repositionAxes
%-------------------------------------------------------------------------%
function repositionXLabel( ax )
% Try to work out where to put the xlabel
removeListeners( ax );
labelHeight = getLabelHeight(ax);
% Use the new max extent to move the xlabel. We may also need to
% move the title
xlab = get(ax,'XLabel');
titleh = get( ax, 'Title' );
set( [xlab,titleh], 'Units', 'Normalized' );
if strcmpi( get( ax, 'XAxisLocation' ), 'Top' )
titleExtent = get( xlab, 'Extent' );
set( xlab, 'Position', [0.5 1+labelHeight-titleExtent(4) 0] );
set( titleh, 'Position', [0.5 1+labelHeight 0] );
else
set( xlab, 'Position', [0.5 -labelHeight 0] );
set( titleh, 'Position', [0.5 1 0] );
end
addListeners( ax );
end % repositionXLabel
%-------------------------------------------------------------------------%
function height = getLabelHeight(ax)
height = 0;
textLabels = findall( ax, 'Tag', 'RotatedXTickLabel' );
if isempty(textLabels)
return;
end
oldUnits = get( textLabels(1), 'Units' );
set( textLabels, 'Units', 'Normalized' );
for ll=1:numel(vals)
ext = get( textLabels(ll), 'Extent' );
if ext(4) > height
height = ext(4);
end
end
set( textLabels, 'Units', oldUnits );
end % getLabelExtent
%-------------------------------------------------------------------------%
function updateFont()
% Update the rotated text fonts when the axes font changes
properties = {
'FontName'
'FontSize'
'FontAngle'
'FontWeight'
'FontUnits'
};
propertyValues = get( ax, properties );
textLabels = findall( ax, 'Tag', 'RotatedXTickLabel' );
set( textLabels, properties, propertyValues );
end % updateFont
function updateAlignment()
textLabels = findall( ax, 'Tag', 'RotatedXTickLabel' );
angle = get( textLabels(1), 'Rotation' );
% Depending on the angle, we may need to change the alignment. We change
% alignments within 5 degrees of each 90 degree orientation.
if strcmpi( get( ax, 'XAxisLocation' ), 'Top' )
if 0 <= angle && angle < 5
set( textLabels, 'HorizontalAlignment', 'Center', 'VerticalAlignment', 'Bottom' );
elseif 5 <= angle && angle < 85
set( textLabels, 'HorizontalAlignment', 'Left', 'VerticalAlignment', 'Bottom' );
elseif 85 <= angle && angle < 95
set( textLabels, 'HorizontalAlignment', 'Left', 'VerticalAlignment', 'Middle' );
elseif 95 <= angle && angle < 175
set( textLabels, 'HorizontalAlignment', 'Left', 'VerticalAlignment', 'Top' );
elseif 175 <= angle && angle < 185
set( textLabels, 'HorizontalAlignment', 'Center', 'VerticalAlignment', 'Top' );
elseif 185 <= angle && angle < 265
set( textLabels, 'HorizontalAlignment', 'Right', 'VerticalAlignment', 'Top' );
elseif 265 <= angle && angle < 275
set( textLabels, 'HorizontalAlignment', 'Right', 'VerticalAlignment', 'Middle' );
elseif 275 <= angle && angle < 355
set( textLabels, 'HorizontalAlignment', 'Right', 'VerticalAlignment', 'Bottom' );
else % 355-360
set( textLabels, 'HorizontalAlignment', 'Center', 'VerticalAlignment', 'Bottom' );
end
else
if 0 <= angle && angle < 5
set( textLabels, 'HorizontalAlignment', 'Center', 'VerticalAlignment', 'Top' );
elseif 5 <= angle && angle < 85
set( textLabels, 'HorizontalAlignment', 'Right', 'VerticalAlignment', 'Top' );
elseif 85 <= angle && angle < 95
set( textLabels, 'HorizontalAlignment', 'Right', 'VerticalAlignment', 'Middle' );
elseif 95 <= angle && angle < 175
set( textLabels, 'HorizontalAlignment', 'Right', 'VerticalAlignment', 'Bottom' );
elseif 175 <= angle && angle < 185
set( textLabels, 'HorizontalAlignment', 'Center', 'VerticalAlignment', 'Bottom' );
elseif 185 <= angle && angle < 265
set( textLabels, 'HorizontalAlignment', 'Left', 'VerticalAlignment', 'Bottom' );
elseif 265 <= angle && angle < 275
set( textLabels, 'HorizontalAlignment', 'Left', 'VerticalAlignment', 'Middle' );
elseif 275 <= angle && angle < 355
set( textLabels, 'HorizontalAlignment', 'Left', 'VerticalAlignment', 'Top' );
else % 355-360
set( textLabels, 'HorizontalAlignment', 'Center', 'VerticalAlignment', 'Top' );
end
end
end
%-------------------------------------------------------------------------%
function onAxesFontChanged( ~, ~ )
updateFont();
repositionAxes( ax );
repositionXLabel( ax );
end % onAxesFontChanged
%-------------------------------------------------------------------------%
function onAxesPositionChanged( ~, ~ )
% We need to accept the new position, so remove the appdata before
% redrawing
if isappdata( ax, 'OriginalAxesPosition' )
rmappdata( ax, 'OriginalAxesPosition' );
end
if isappdata( ax, 'OriginalXLabelPosition' )
rmappdata( ax, 'OriginalXLabelPosition' );
end
repositionAxes( ax );
repositionXLabel( ax );
end % onAxesPositionChanged
%-------------------------------------------------------------------------%
function onXAxisLocationChanged( ~, ~ )
updateAlignment();
repositionAxes( ax );
repositionXLabel( ax );
end % onXAxisLocationChanged
%-------------------------------------------------------------------------%
function onAxesLimitsChanged( ~, ~ )
% The limits have moved, so make sure the labels are still ok
textLabels = findall( ax, 'Tag', 'RotatedXTickLabel' );
xlim = get( ax, 'XLim' );
ylim = get( ax, 'YLim' );
if strcmpi( get( ax, 'XAxisLocation'), 'Bottom' )
pos = [0 ylim(1)];
else
pos = [0 ylim(2)];
end
for tt=1:numel( textLabels )
xval = get( textLabels(tt), 'UserData' );
pos(1) = xval;
% If the tick is off the edge, make it invisible
if xval<xlim(1) || xval>xlim(2)
set( textLabels(tt), 'Visible', 'off', 'Position', pos )
elseif ~strcmpi( get( textLabels(tt), 'Visible' ), 'on' )
set( textLabels(tt), 'Visible', 'on', 'Position', pos )
else
% Just set the position
set( textLabels(tt), 'Position', pos );
end
end
repositionXLabel( ax );
end % onAxesPositionChanged
%-------------------------------------------------------------------------%
function onTextLabelDeleted( ~, ~ )
% The final text label has been deleted. This is likely from a
% "cla" or "close" call, so we should remove all of our dirty
% hacks.
restoreDefaultLabels(ax);
end
%-------------------------------------------------------------------------%
function addListeners( ax )
% Create listeners. We store the array of listeners in the axes to make
% sure that they have the same life-span as the axes they are listening to.
axh = handle( ax );
listeners = [
handle.listener( axh, findprop( axh, 'FontName' ), 'PropertyPostSet', @onAxesFontChanged )
handle.listener( axh, findprop( axh, 'FontSize' ), 'PropertyPostSet', @onAxesFontChanged )
handle.listener( axh, findprop( axh, 'FontWeight' ), 'PropertyPostSet', @onAxesFontChanged )
handle.listener( axh, findprop( axh, 'FontAngle' ), 'PropertyPostSet', @onAxesFontChanged )
handle.listener( axh, findprop( axh, 'FontUnits' ), 'PropertyPostSet', @onAxesFontChanged )
handle.listener( axh, findprop( axh, 'OuterPosition' ), 'PropertyPostSet', @onAxesPositionChanged )
handle.listener( axh, findprop( axh, 'XLim' ), 'PropertyPostSet', @onAxesLimitsChanged )
handle.listener( axh, findprop( axh, 'YLim' ), 'PropertyPostSet', @onAxesLimitsChanged )
handle.listener( axh, findprop( axh, 'XAxisLocation' ), 'PropertyPostSet', @onXAxisLocationChanged )
];
setappdata( ax, 'RotateXLabelsListeners', listeners );
end % addListeners
%-------------------------------------------------------------------------%
function removeListeners( ax )
% Rempove any property listeners whilst we are fiddling with the axes
if isappdata( ax, 'RotateXLabelsListeners' )
delete( getappdata( ax, 'RotateXLabelsListeners' ) );
rmappdata( ax, 'RotateXLabelsListeners' );
end
end % removeListeners
end % EOF
