Not write out all dates on an axis, Matplotlib

Question

Take a look at this example:

import datetime as dt
from matplotlib import pyplot as plt 
import matplotlib.dates as mdates
x = []
d = dt.datetime(2013, 7, 4)
for i in range(30):
        d = d+dt.timedelta(days=1)
        x.append(d)

y = range(len(x))
plt.gca().xaxis.set_major_formatter(mdates.DateFormatter('%d-%m-%Y'))
plt.gca().xaxis.set_major_locator(mdates.DayLocator())
plt.gcf().autofmt_xdate()
plt.bar(x,y)
plt.show()

The code writes out dates on the x-axis in the plot, see the picture below. The problem is that the dates get clogged up, as seen in the picture. How to make matplotlib to only write out every fifth or every tenth coordinate?

enter image description here

What about rotating the date labels 90 degrees? plt.xticks(rotation=90). — wflynny
– wflynny, Commented Jul 3, 2013 at 15:37

sodd · Accepted Answer · 2013-07-03 15:49:50Z

19

You can specify an interval argument to the DateLocator as in the following. With e.g. interval=5 the locator places ticks at every 5th date. Also, place the autofmt_xdate() after the bar method to get the desired output.

import datetime as dt
from matplotlib import pyplot as plt 
import matplotlib.dates as mdates
x = []
d = dt.datetime(2013, 7, 4)
for i in range(30):
        d = d+dt.timedelta(days=1)
        x.append(d)

y = range(len(x))
plt.gca().xaxis.set_major_formatter(mdates.DateFormatter('%d-%m-%Y'))
plt.gca().xaxis.set_major_locator(mdates.DayLocator(interval=5))
plt.bar(x, y, align='center') # center the bars on their x-values
plt.title('DateLocator with interval=5')
plt.gcf().autofmt_xdate()
plt.show()

Bar plot with ticks at every 5th date.

With interval=3 you will get a tick for every 3rd date:

Bar plot with ticks at every 3rd date.

edited Jul 3, 2013 at 15:49

answered Jul 3, 2013 at 15:43

sodd

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2 Comments

3kstc Over a year ago

Are we able to define the start date and end date?

Phil Goetz Over a year ago

Worked for me! Spent SO much time trying to find this out. Thanks!

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