Labels Page - Ternary and Piper Diagrams

Data point labels can be shown on most plot types in Grapher. For ternary and piper diagrams, the labels can show data values or information from some other column in the data file. Labels can also be customized to appear in specific locations and can use a variety of formats, fonts, and colors to optimize the look and feel of the graph.

The following information is for the options contained on the ternary diagram Labels tabs. To edit the labels, click on a ternary plot to select it. In the Property Manager, click on the Labels tab.

Set label properties in the Property Manager on the Labels tab.

Label Column

If the labels to be displayed on the plot are in another column, select the column in the Label column list. Click on the current column name next to Label column and select the new column to change the Label column. The plot automatically updates to include the labels from the new column. When worksheet labels are used, you cannot include X, Y, and Z values. If you wish to include X, Y, and/or Z values, set the Label column to None.

When labels are from a column in the data file, you can include symbols in labels using Math Text commands in the worksheet.

Worksheet Rows

You can choose the range of rows to plot labels in the Worksheet rows group. Click the next to Worksheet rows to see the options. The default rows are the first and last rows containing data.

If Auto is selected for the First row and Last row, the first through last rows containing data are used as labels. To limit the range of the plotted labels, you can change the range of rows. Click on the word Auto and select Custom. Then highlight the existing value and type a new row number value. To return to the default values, click the word Custom and select Auto and First row or Last row will revert to the default rows.

Include X, Y, and Z Values

In ternary diagrams, you have the choice of displaying the X, Y, and Z values as part of the label by checking the boxes next to the Include X value, Include Y value, and Include Z value options. Check the box to display the label. The Include X value, Include Y value, and Include Z value options are not available when a column is specified in the Label column field. Set the Label column to None to use X, Y, and/or Z labels.

Label Order

In ternary diagrams, the label order list lets you specify the variable order in the labels. If a data point does not have a value for the variable it is not included in the label, the remaining values fill in the space; there is no gap where the missing variable would be located. To set the label order, click on the existing option. In the list, select the desired order. The plot will automatically update to show the new order. When X, Y, and Z values are included as labels, you cannot use worksheet labels.

Label Format

The Label Format section includes the Font, Format, and Background properties for the plot labels.

Label Font

Click the next to Font to set the label font properties. The font Face, Size (points), Color, Opacity, Bold, Italic, Underline, and Strikethrough properties can be set for most labels.

Label Format

Click the next to Format to set the label format properties. The label Type, display of numbers, Prefix, and Suffix can be set for labels.

Label Background

Click the next to Background to set the label background properties. The Background is the area behind the label. Click the next to Line to set the line properties for the line that goes around the text. Click the next to Fill to set the fill properties for the area around the text.

Label Position

The Label Position section includes properties for defining the label position and rotation.

Horizontal Alignment

The plot label can be positioned relative to the data point vertically, horizontally, and by specified amounts. Horizontal alignment controls the horizontal placement of the labels. You can position the labels to the Left or Right of the data point, Center the labels on the data point, or alternate the position of the labels to the left and right of neighboring data points (Alternate left-right). To change the horizontal placement of the labels, click the existing option and select the desired option from the list.

Vertical Alignment

Vertical alignment controls the vertical position of the data label. You can position the labels Above or Below the data point, Center the labels on the data point, or alternate the position of the labels above and below neighboring data points (Alternate above-below). To change the vertical placement of the labels, click the existing option and select the desired option from the list.

Label Offset

Labels can be positioned at a custom position by entering values into the X offset or Y offset boxes. Entering a positive value into the offset box moves the label up for the Y offset or to the right for the X offset. Entering a negative value in the offset box moves the label down for the Y offset or to the left for the X offset.

Angle

You can enter a number into the Angle box to rotate the data point labels. Positive values rotate the label in a counter-clockwise direction. The Angle is specified in degrees.

Label Leader Line

Label leader lines can be used to connect the text label to the data point. If the edge of the label is further than 0.1 inches (0.254 centimeters) away from the data point, label lines are displayed. This normally means that label lines are displayed if labels have been moved with the Move Labels command or if the X offset or Y offset values have been changed from zero. The line goes from the label to the point. Line properties can be changed for the label lines. To change the label line properties, change the properties in the Label Leader Line Properties section of the Line page.

Tips for Configuring Labels on Ternary Diagrams

A common way to portray labels on a ternary diagram is by having the labels surrounded by parentheses.

To format the labels with parentheses:

  1. Select a ternary diagram plot.
  2. In the Property Manager, click on the Labels tab. Check the Include X value, Include Y value, and Include Z value boxes.
  3. Set the Label order to X, Y, Z.
  4. Click the next to Format.
  5. Click the Editor button next to Prefix.
  6. In the Text Editor, type a left parenthesis and click OK.
  7. Click the Editor button next to Suffix.
  8. In the Text Editor, type a right parenthesis and click OK.

For example, for data point X=55, Y=15, Z=30, the label appears as (0.55, 0.15, 0.30) when the axes are scaled 0 to 1. When the axes are scaled 0 to 100, the label appears as (55,15,30).

Tip for Label Scale

To display the values on a 0 to 100 scale instead of 0 to 1, click on one of the axes. In the Property Manager, click on the Axis tab. In the Limits section, check the box next to the 0 to 100 scale option to display the label as (55, 15, 30).

See Also

2D Ternary Diagram

Ternary Bubble Plots

Piper and Piper Class Scatter Plot

Reading Ternary Diagrams

Move Labels

Reset Positions