Issues using ggplot2 aes_string with box plots

Question

I seem to be having problems using ggplot2.

I get the following error while trying to plot box plots with the aes_string:

Error: stat_boxplot requires the following missing aesthetics: x, y

Here is an example:

x='group'
y='value'
df=data.frame(group=c('A','A','B','B','C','C'),value=c(1,2,3,4,5,6))
ggplot(data=df,aes_string(x,y)) + geom_boxplot() #returns the error
ggplot(data=df,aes(x,y)) + geom_boxplot() #plots nonsense (naturally)
ggplot(data=df,aes(group,value)) + geom_boxplot() #works, but not strings

Any suggestions on how I can make this work with strings?

-1 for crossposting without reference: groups.google.com/d/topic/ggplot2/p4EFpLKqQMc/discussion — Brian Diggs
– Brian Diggs, Commented Jan 11, 2013 at 19:18

Boris Gorelik · Accepted Answer · 2013-11-21 13:03:22Z

7

aes allows the first two arguments to be unnamed and are assumed to be x and y (respectively); aes_string does not have this shortcut, and so all arguments must be named. Try:

ggplot(data=df,aes_string(x='group',y='value')) + geom_boxplot()

edited Nov 21, 2013 at 13:03

Boris Gorelik

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answered Jan 10, 2013 at 21:44

Harpal

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3 Comments

egor.ananyev Over a year ago

The only question is - why?

bdemarest Over a year ago

ggplot(data=df, aes_string(x=x,y=y)) + geom_boxplot() also works.

Brian Diggs Over a year ago

aes allows the first two arguments to be unnamed and are assumed to be x and y (respectively); aes_string does not have this shortcut, and so all arguments must be named.

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