topic Re: Highlight a certain boxplot background in a group of boxplots and make the graph narrower in Graphics Programming

Highlight a certain boxplot background in a group of boxplots and make the graph narrower

emera86 — Thu, 18 May 2017 15:45:58 GMT

Hi there,

I'm looking for a way to tune this PROC SGPLOT produced graph. I don't mind changing to a different procedure while the result remains the same.

Firstly, and more importantly, I would like to find a way to change the color of a custom background area of the plot in order to highlight a certain boxplot from a group of boxplots (see the attached figure).
Secondly, I haven't found a way to control the x axis width when there is no scale on it (as in my boxplot example) because in that case the "xaxis min=0 max=6" statement doesn't make sense (I have shown also in the attached figure what I would like to achieve)

Thanks in advance for all your help and comments!!

Re: Highlight a certain boxplot background in a group of boxplots and make the graph narrower

Jay54 — Thu, 18 May 2017 17:35:44 GMT

It is hard to say what your x-axis range is as you have turned the axis off. If the axis is numeric 1-6, then you could set the values=(1 to 4 by 1). Or, you can reduce the min and max offsets.

For the highlighting, place a "X" reference line behind the box plot with x value ='Global', and increase the line thickness. Use transparency and color you want.

proc sgplot data=sashelp.heart;
  refline 'Coronary Heart Disease' / axis=x 
          lineattrs=(thickness=70 color=yellow) transparency=0.5 ;
  vbox cholesterol / category=deathcause;
run;

Re: Highlight a certain boxplot background in a group of boxplots and make the graph narrower

emera86 — Fri, 19 May 2017 11:44:06 GMT

Thanks a lot @Jay54 for your help!!

The offset attribute wasn't working for me because it just moves the the plot towards one side or another, but you gave me a clue on where to search for a proper solution. I finally solved it changing the THRESHOLDMIN and THRESHOLDMAX values, which control the spacing between the left and right border of the plot respectively.

About the line reference, it totally solved my problem in a very simple way. Thanks for such an ingenious solution!!

Thanks again!!

Re: Highlight a certain boxplot background in a group of boxplots and make the graph narrower

Jay54 — Fri, 19 May 2017 13:55:18 GMT

You are welcome. For future reference, it is easier to help if you attach your code and some sample data. Then we can see what you are getting and how to help. Version of SAS also helps.

The RefLine thickness will impact the offsets. You can set the offsetmin and offsetmax to control the white space.

proc sgplot data=sashelp.heart;
  refline 'Coronary Heart Disease' / axis=x 
          lineattrs=(thickness=70 color=yellow) transparency=0.5 ;
  vbox cholesterol / category=deathcause;
  yaxis offsetmin=0.05 offsetmax=0.05;
run;