topic Formatting of x-axis labels in Graphics Programming

Formatting of x-axis labels

UshaLatha — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 05:24:03 GMT

Hi all,

I need some help while creating the graph plots. I am using the following code.

ods graphics on / width=8in height=6in outputfmt=gif imagemap=on border=off;

title1 "SGPLOT Output for &name.";

proc sgplot data=out_ds ;

series x=quarter y=default_flag/ legendlabel="Default Rate" markers lineattrs=(thickness=2);

series x=quarter y=Varname/y2axis legendlabel="Unemployment rate" markers lineattrs=(thickness=2);

xaxis type=discrete display=(noline noticks) grid label="Time Period";

yaxis display=(noline) grid label="Default Rate" ;

y2axis label="Unemployment rate";

run;

The x-axis "quarter" contains the values 2001Q1, 2001Q2, 2001Q3, 2001Q4, 2002Q1..... so on

My input data contains values from 1995Q1 to 2020Q4. So the values of x-axis labels in the graph are coming too close. Since this is character values, I am not able to use values= option.

Is there any way , I can get skip quarters and print only years (with four ticks for each quarter).

Or any other easy way so that the labels are not too close.

Thanks

Re: Formatting of x-axis labels

DanH_sas — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 05:49:15 GMT

Your best option here is to use a data step to create a temporary data set that uses an informat on your "quarter" column to turn it into a true datetime value. Then, assign a YYQ. format to that column and let SGPLOT create a time axis for you on the X axis (remove the type=discrete). You might also need to set INTERVAL=QUARTER on that axis statement to get what you want.

Hope this helps!

Dan

Re: Formatting of x-axis labels

UshaLatha — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 06:12:30 GMT

Thanks Dan !! this works perfectly..