Create user function for ggplot

Question

I am trying to create a function to edit the look of a ggplot.

Here is a example of what I would like to create with a function (obviously the function I am trying to create is more complex, but this is for demonstration).

library(ggplot2)
library(dplyr)
group_by(iris, Species) %>%
  summarise(m = mean(Sepal.Width)) %>%
  ggplot(aes(x = Species, y = m)) +
  geom_col() + 
  xlab("") + ylab("")

Here is the function I am trying to make:

name_axis <- function(){
  xlab(label = "") + 
  ylab(label = "")   
}

group_by(iris, Species) %>%
  summarise(m = mean(Sepal.Width)) %>%
  ggplot(aes(x = Species, y = m)) +
  geom_col() + 
  name_axis()

I know I could just do this by first save the plot to a object and then pass the plot to the new function. But I want to skip that step and use the "+" instead.

Yes in this example. I am trying to create a family of 'look-functions' for ggplot to standardize looks. So one function will have arguments for names of the axis, and if the y-axis should show percents or not etc. — Helgi Guðmundsson
– Helgi Guðmundsson, Commented Jun 28, 2019 at 10:19

Carles · Accepted Answer · 2019-06-28 09:43:43Z

2

You can do that with

a list():

    name_axis <- list(
      xlab(label = "Nothing"),  
      ylab(label = ""))

    group_by(iris, Species) %>%
      summarise(m = mean(Sepal.Width)) %>%
      ggplot(aes(x = Species, y = m)) +
      geom_col() + 
      name_axis

passing a list inside the function:

  name_axis <- function(){
      list(xlab(label = ""), 
        ylab(label = "hello"))   
    }

   group_by(iris, Species) %>%
      summarise(m = mean(Sepal.Width)) %>%
      ggplot(aes(x = Species, y = m)) +
      geom_col() + 
      name_axis()```

edited Jun 28, 2019 at 9:43

answered Jun 28, 2019 at 9:31

Carles

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1 Comment

Helgi Guðmundsson Over a year ago

wow, okay, I did not know you could use lists for this task. Thanks a lot for that tip. This solved my problem. Thank you.

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