Move Labels

The Graph Tools | Plot Tools | Move Labels command is used to move individual plot labels, axis tick mark labels, axis titles, graph titles, legend entries, and legend titles. This is particularly useful when labels or titles overlap, or when fine-tuning the aesthetics of a graph.

End Move Labels mode by pressing the ESC key, clicking Graph Tools | Plot Tools | Move Labels again, or by clicking the Select Tool.

Navigation in Move Labels Mode

You can navigate the plot window while in Move Labels mode to reach labels that are off-screen or to zoom in for precise adjustments.

Zoom: Rotate the mouse wheel to Zoom In and Zoom Out.
Pan: Press and hold the middle mouse button (or mouse wheel) to pan the view.
Auto-Scroll: Dragging a label to the edge of the plot window will automatically scroll the view in that direction.

Resetting Positions

Return labels, titles, or entries to their default locations by selecting an object and clicking the Reset Positions command.

To Move Plot Labels:

Select a single plot.
If labels are not already displayed on the plot, check the Display labels box on the Labels tab in the Property Manager.
Click the Graph Tools | Plot Tools | Move Labels command or right-click and select Move Labels.
Click on a label and drag it to a new location.
When you have finished positioning labels, press the ESC key.

NOTE: If you need to move several labels because they overlap, consider using the Disperse Labels command.

To Move Graph Titles:

Select a graph.
If a graph title is not already displayed, click on the Title tab in the Property Manager.
Click the Editor button next to the Title command.
In the dialog, type the graph title and click OK.
Click the Graph Tools | Plot Tools | Move Labels command or right-click and select Move Title.
Click on the graph title and drag it to a new location.
When you have finished positioning the graph title, press the ESC key to make the change.

To Move Axis Titles or Axis Labels:

Select a single axis.
If tick labels are not already displayed on the axis, check the Show labels boxes on the Tick Labels tab in the Property Manager.
If axis titles are not already displayed on the axis, click the Editor button next to the Title command on the Axis tab in the Property Manager.
In the dialog, type the axis title and click OK.
Click the Graph Tools | Plot Tools | Move Labels command or right-click and select Move Labels.
Click on a tick label or axis title and drag it to a new location.
When you have finished positioning tick labels or the axis title, press the ESC key to make the change.

To Move Legend Titles or Entries:

Select a single legend.
Click the Graph Tools | Plot Tools | Move Labels command or right-click and select Move Labels.
Click on the legend title or entry and drag it to a new location.
When you have finished positioning the legend title and entries, press the ESC key to make the change.