Optional Arguments

Options in a PLOT statement affect all graphs that are produced by that statement. You can specify as many options as you want and list them in any order. If you use a BY statement on the procedure, the options in each PLOT statement affect all graphs produced by that BY statement.

ANNOTATE= Annotate-data-set

specifies an Annotate data set to enhance the charts produced by the PLOT statement.

Alias:ANNO=

Restriction:Partially supported by Java and ActiveX

See:GANNO Procedure

Annotate Function Dictionary

Annotate Variable Dictionary

Annotate Macro Dictionary

AUTOHREF

displays reference lines originating at the major tick marks on the horizontal axis.

Restriction:Not supported by Java

AUTOLABEL | AUTOLABEL=(autolabel_suboptions)

labels the contour lines. Autolabel suboptions enable you to control the appearance of these labels.

The label for each contour line is the value of the z variable for that contour level. The labels are displayed in BEST format. The FORMAT statement enables you to change the display format.

You can also use the SYMBOL statement to control the appearance and text of contour labels and lines.

When AUTOLABEL is used with the LLEVELS= option, LLEVELS is ignored.

When AUTOLABEL is used with the CLEVELS= option, AUTOLABEL is ignored.

Restriction:Not supported by Java and ActiveX

See:AUTOLABEL= Suboptions

Example:Labeling Contour Lines, Modifying the Horizontal Axis, Modifying the Legend

AUTOVREF

displays reference lines originating at the major tick marks on the vertical axis.

Restriction:Not supported by Java

CAUTOHREF=reference-line-color

specifies a color for all the reference lines displayed by the AUTOHREF option. The default color is retrieved from the current style or from the device's color list if the NOGSTYLE option is specified.

Restriction:Not supported by Java

CAUTOVREF=reference-line-color

specifies a color for all the reference lines displayed by the AUTOVREF option. The default color is retrieved from the current style or from the device's color list if the NOGSTYLE option is specified

Restriction:Not supported by Java

CAXIS=axis-color

specifies a color for axis lines, axis tick marks, and the frame around the plot. The default color is retrieved from the current style or from the device's color list if the NOGSTYLE option is specified.

Restriction:Partially supported by Java

CFRAME=background-color

fills the axis area with the specified color. The default color is retrieved from the current style or from the device's color list if the NOGSTYLE option is specified.

Alias:CFR=

CHREF=reference-line-color | (reference-line-color) | (reference-line-color list)

specifies a color or colors for reference lines drawn with the HREF= option and the AUTOHREF option. Colors are specified as follows:

• specifying a single color without parentheses applies that color to all reference lines drawn with the HREF= option and the AUTOHREF option
• specifying a single color within parentheses applies the color to the first reference line drawn with the HREF= option only
• specifying a list of colors within parentheses applies the colors sequentially to the reference lines drawn with the HREF= option only

The default color is retrieved from the current style or from the device's color list if the NOGSTYLE option is specified.

Alias:CH=

Restriction:Not supported by Java

CLEVELS=color(s)

specifies a color or list of colors for the contour levels. GCONTOUR substitutes user-defined colors in the ODS style. If more colors are needed, GCONTOUR uses the next color in the ODS style until all lines have an associated color. The default color is retrieved from the current style or from the device's color list if the NOGSTYLE option is specified.

Restriction:Not supported by Java and partially supported by ActiveX

COUTLINE=outline-color

specifies a color for outlining filled areas. This option is ignored unless the PATTERN option is also used. COUTLINE=SAME creates a plot with outlines that are the same color as the adjacent fill color.

Restriction:Not supported by Java and ActiveX

Note:The outline color is the only distinction between empty patterns. Use of this option makes the patterns look the same when VALUE=EMPTY in PATTERN definitions.

Example:Using Patterns and Joins

CTEXT=text-color

specifies a color for the axis labels, axis tick mark values, legend labels, and legend value descriptions. GCONTOUR uses the first color that it finds in the following list:

• colors specified for labels and values on assigned AXIS and LEGEND statements.
• the color specified by the CTEXT= option in the PLOT statement.
• the color specified by the CTEXT= option in a GOPTIONS statement.
• the color specified in the current style, or if the NOGSTYLE system option is specified, the default color is the first color in the color list for each device.

The LEGEND statement's VALUE= color is used for legend values, and its LABEL= color is used for legend labels.

The AXIS statement's VALUE= color is used for legend values, and its LABEL= color is used for legend labels. However, if the AXIS statement specifies only general axis colors with its COLOR= option, the CTEXT= color overrides the general COLOR= specification. In this case CTEXT= is used for axis labels and values. Meanwhile, the COLOR= color is still used for all other axis colors, such as tick marks.

Note:If you use a BY statement in the procedure, the color of the BY variables' labels is controlled by the CBY= option in the GOPTIONS statement.

Example:Using Patterns and Joins

CVREF=reference-line-color | (reference-line-color) | (reference-line-color list)

specifies a color or colors for reference lines drawn with the VREF= option and the AUTOVREF option. Colors are specified as follows:

• specifying a single color without parentheses applies that color to all reference lines drawn with the VREF= option and the AUTOVREF option
• specifying a single color within parentheses applies the color to the first reference line drawn with the VREF= option only
• specifying a list of colors within parentheses applies the colors sequentially to the reference lines drawn with the VREF= option only

Alias:CV=

Restriction:Not supported by Java

DESCRIPTION=“description”

specifies a description of the output. The maximum length for description is 256 characters. The description does not appear in the output. The descriptive text is shown in each of the following:

• the Table of Contents that is generated when you use the CONTENTS= option on an ODS HTML statement, assuming that the output is generated while the contents page is open
• the description and the properties for the output in the Results window
• the description and properties for the catalog entry in the SAS Explorer
• the Description field of the PROC GREPLAY window

The description can include the #BYLINE, #BYVAL, and #BYVAR substitution options, which work as they do when used on TITLE, FOOTNOTE, and NOTE statements. Refer to Substituting BY Line Values in a Text String. The 256-character limit applies before the substitution takes place for these options. Thus, if in the SAS program the description text exceeds 256 characters, it is truncated to 256 characters, and then the substitution is performed.

Alias:DES=

Default:PLOT OF y*x=z, where y*x=z is the request specified in the PLOT statement.

GRID

draws reference lines at all major tick marks on both axes. This option produces the same result as would be achieved with specifying both the AUTOHREF and AUTOVREF options.

Restriction:Not supported by Java

HAXIS=AXIS<1...99>

assigns axis characteristics from the corresponding axis definition to the horizontal x axis. If the AXIS statement specifies the REFLABEL= option, labels are applied in sequence to all reference lines generated with the HREF= option.

Restriction:Partially supported by Java and ActiveX

See:AXIS Statement

Example:Labeling Contour Lines, Modifying the Horizontal Axis, Modifying the Legend

HMINOR=number-of-minor-tick marks

specifies the number of minor tick marks to draw between each major tick mark on the horizontal x axis.

Alias:HM=

Interaction:The HMINOR= option overrides the MINOR= option in an AXIS definition assigned to the horizontal axis

Example:Specifying Contour Levels

HREF=value | (value) | (value-list)

displays up to 100 reference lines originating on the horizontal x axis at specified values within the x axis range. Any values specified beyond the axis range are not drawn, and a warning is issued to the log. To specify labels for this option, use the HAXIS= option. The value-list can be an explicit list of values, a starting value and an ending value with an interval increment, or a combination of both forms:

• n <... n >.
• n TO n <BY increment >.
• n <... n > TO n <BY increment > n <... n >.

Restriction:Not supported by Java

HREVERSE

specifies that the order of the values on the horizontal x axis be reversed.

Restriction:Not supported by Java

JOIN

combines adjacent grid cells with the same pattern to form a single pattern area.

Restriction:This option is ignored unless the PATTERN option is also used.

Note:Java and ActiveX support the JOIN option without the pattern option.

LAUTOHREF=reference-line-type

specifies a line type for reference lines specified by the AUTOHREF option. The reference-line-type value is any integer from 1 to 46. A value of 1 specifies a solid line; values 2 through 46 specify dashed lines.

Default:1 (solid)

Restriction:Not supported by Java

See:Specifying Line Types for available line types

LAUTOVREF=reference-line-type

specifies a line type for reference lines specified by the AUTOVREF option. The reference-line-type value is any integer from 1 to 46. A value of 1 specifies a solid line; values 2 through 46 specify dashed lines.

Restriction:Not supported by Java

See:Specifying Line Types for available line types

LEGEND=LEGEND<1...99>

assigns legend characteristics from the corresponding legend definition to the plot's legend. To suppress the legend, use the NOLEGEND option. The LEGEND= option is ignored if the specified LEGEND definition is not currently in effect.

Restriction:Partially supported by Java (always displayed on the right side of plot) and ActiveX

Interaction:If you use the SHAPE= option in a LEGEND statement, the value LINE is valid. If you use the PATTERN option, SHAPE=BAR is also valid.

See:LEGEND Statement

Example:Labeling Contour Lines, Modifying the Horizontal Axis, Modifying the Legend

LEVELS=value-list

specifies up to 100 values for the z variable. Because GCONTOUR uses the z variable to calculate plot contour levels, you can use the LEVELS= option to change the number of contour levels plotted.

The value-list can be an explicit list of values, a starting and an ending value with an interval increment, or a combination of both forms:

• n <... n >.
• n TO n <BY increment >.
• n <... n > TO n <BY increment > n <... n >.

If a variable has an associated format, the specified values must be the unformatted values.

The contour lines on the plot represent the intersection of a plane formed by the (x,y) variables, and the surface that is formed by the values of the z variable.

LHREF=reference-line-type | (reference-line-type) | (reference-line-type list)

specifies line types for reference lines originating on the horizontal axis. The reference-line-type value is any integer from 1 to 46. A value of 1 specifies a solid line; values 2 through 46 specify dashed lines. When using this option, the following is true:

• specifying a single line type without parentheses applies that line type to all reference lines drawn with the HREF= option and the AUTOHREF option
• specifying a single line type within parentheses applies the line type to the first reference line drawn with the HREF= option only
• specifying a list of line types within parentheses applies the line types sequentially to the reference lines drawn with the HREF= option only
• the LAUTOHREF= option overrides the LHREF= option for lines drawn with the AUTOHREF option

Alias:LH=

Restriction:Not supported by Java and partially supported by ActiveX

See:Specifying Line Types for available line types

LJOIN

displays filled contour areas with contour lines.

Restriction:Supported by Java and ActiveX only

LLEVELS=line-type-list

lists line types for plot contour lines. Each line type represents one contour level. If fewer line types are specified than the number of levels in the plot, GCONTOUR provides additional line types. Valid values for line-type-list are integers from 1 to 46. A value of 1 specifies a solid line; values 2 through 46 specify dashed lines.

Default:1 (solid)

Restriction:Not supported by Java and partially supported by ActiveX

See:Specifying Line Types for the line types represented by each number.

Example:Specifying Contour Levels

LVREF=reference-line-type | (reference-line-type) | (reference-line-type-list)

specifies line types for reference lines originating on the vertical axis. Valid values for line-type-list are integers from 1 to 46. A value of 1 specifies a solid line; values 2 through 46 specify dashed lines. When using this option the following is true:

• specifying a single line type without parentheses applies that line type to all reference lines drawn with the VREF= option and the AUTOVREF option
• specifying a single line type within parentheses applies the line type to the first reference line drawn with the VREF= option only
• specifying a list of line types within parentheses applies the line types sequentially to the reference lines drawn with the VREF= option only
• the LAUTOVREF= option overrides the LVREF= option for lines drawn with the AUTOVREF option

Alias:LV=

Restriction:Partially supported by Java and ActiveX

See:Specifying Line Types for the line types represented by each number

NAME=“name”

specifies the name of the GRSEG catalog entry and the name of the graphics output file, if one is created. The name can be up to 256 characters long, but the GRSEG name is truncated to eight characters. Uppercase characters are converted to lowercase. Periods are converted to underscores. If you specify DEVICE=ACTIXIMG or DEVICE=JAVAIMG, then the name that you specify is used for the graphics output file even if the file exists. If the name duplicates an existing GRSEG name, then SAS/GRAPH adds a number to the name to create a unique entry name. An example is GCONTOU1.

If the name specified is exactly eight characters long, then the last character of the image output filename is replaced with a number. For example, myimages is changed to myimage1.

Default:GCONTOUR

See:About Filename Indexing

Example:Specifying Contour Levels

NLEVELS=number-of-levels

specifies the number of contour levels to plot. Valid values are integers from 1 to 100.

There are 2 algorithms used to compute the contour levels, where L represents an array of levels.

If the value of NLEVELS= is less than 7, then the algorithm is as follows:

D = (Zmax - Zmin) / NLEVELS
d= 0.5 * D
L[0] = Zmin + d, L[i] = L[i-1] + D

In this algorithm, each level is the midpoint of a number of ranges equal to the value of the NLEVELS= option. These ranges exactly cover the range of the z variable.

If the value of NLEVELS= is greater than or equal to 7, then the algorithm is as follows:

e= 0.05 * (100 - NLEVELS) / 93
d = (Zmax - Zmin) * e
D = ((Zmax - Zmin - 2*d) / (NLEVELS - 1)
L[0] = Zmin + d, L[i] = L[i-1] + D

Default:20 for Java, 6 for ActiveX, 7 for all other devices

Restriction:Partially supported by Java and ActiveX

Example:Specifying Contour Levels

NOAXIS

specifies that a plot have no axis values, axis labels, or axis tick marks. The frame is displayed around the plot unless you use the NOFRAME option.

Alias:NOAXES

Restriction:Partially supported by Java

NOFRAME

suppresses the frame that is drawn around the plot area.

Restriction:Not supported by Java

NOLEGEND

suppresses the legend that describes the plot by displaying the z variable name or label, the legend values, and legend value descriptions.

Default:LEGEND

PATTERN

specifies that the plot contour levels are represented by rectangles filled with patterns. The pattern for each rectangle is determined by calculating the mean of the values of the z variable for the four corners of the rectangle. The pattern is then assigned for the level closest to the mean.

To explicitly define patterns, use PATTERN definitions for map or plot patterns.

See:PATTERN Statement

Example:Using Patterns and Joins

SMOOTH

produces smooth gradient areas between levels.

Restriction:Supported by Java and ActiveX only

VAXIS=AXIS<1...99>

assigns axis characteristics from the corresponding axis definition to the vertical y axis. If the AXIS statement specifies the REFLABEL= option, labels are applied in sequence to all reference lines generated with the VREF= option.

Restriction:Partially supported by Java and ActiveX

See:AXIS Statement

Example:Specifying Contour Levels

VMINOR=number-of-minor-tick marks

specifies the number of minor tick marks located between each major tick mark on the vertical y axis. Value labels are not displayed for minor tick marks.

Alias:VM=

Interaction:The VMINOR= option overrides the MINOR= option in an AXIS definition that is assigned to the vertical axis.

Example:Specifying Contour Levels

VREF=value | (value) | (value-list)

displays up to 100 reference lines originating on the vertical y axis at specified values within the y axis range. Any values specified beyond the axis range are not drawn, and a warning is issued to the log. To specify labels for these reference lines, use the VAXIS= option. The value-list can be an explicit list of values, a starting value and an ending value with an interval increment, or a combination of both forms:

• n <... n >.
• n TO n <BY increment >.
• n <... n > TO n <BY increment > n <... n >.

Restriction:Not supported by Java

VREVERSE

specifies that the order of the values on the vertical axis be reversed.

Restriction:Not supported by Java

WAUTOHREF=reference-line-width

specifies a line width for reference lines specified by the AUTOHREF option. The reference-line-width can be any number greater than zero, and does not need to be an integer. If you specify a value that is less than zero, an error message is output to the SAS log.

Default:Current style setting, 1 if NOGSTYLE

Restriction:Not supported by Java and ActiveX

WAUTOVREF=reference-line-width

specifies a line width for reference lines specified by the AUTOVREF option. The reference-line-width can be any number greater than zero, and does not need to be an integer. If you specify a value that is less than zero, an error message is output to the SAS log.

Default:Current style setting, 1 if NOGSTYLE

Restriction:Not supported by Java and ActiveX

WHREF=reference-line-width | (reference-line-width) | (reference-line-width-list)

specifies a line width for reference lines specified by the HREF= option. The reference-line-width can be any integer that is greater than zero. If you specify a value that is less than zero or is not an integer value, an error message is output to the SAS log. Specifying a line width without parentheses applies that type to all reference lines drawn with the WAUTOHREF and HREF= options. Note that the WAUTOHREF= option overrides WHREF=reference-line-width for reference lines drawn with the WAUTOHREF option. Specifying a single line width in parentheses applies that line width to the first reference line drawn with the HREF= option. Specifying a line width list applies line widths in sequence to successive reference lines drawn with the HREF= option. The syntax of the line-width list requires parentheses and the line widths separated by spaces (width1 width2 ...widthN). The default line width is specified by the current style or by the AXIS statement's WIDTH= option. (By default, WIDTH=1.). To specify colors for these reference lines, use the CHREF= option.

Default:Current style setting, 1 if NOGSTYLE

Restriction:Not supported by Java and ActiveX

WVREF=reference-line-width | (reference-line-width) | (reference-line-width-list)

specifies a line width for reference lines specified by the VREF= option. The reference-line-width can be any integer that is greater than zero. If you specify a value that is less than zero or is not an integer value, an error message is output to the SAS log. Specifying a line width without parentheses applies that type to all reference lines drawn with the WAUTOVREF and VREF= options. Note that the WAUTOVREF= option overrides WVREF=reference-line-width for reference lines drawn with the WAUTOVREF option. Specifying a single line width in parentheses applies that line width to the first reference line drawn with the VREF= option. Specifying a line width list applies line widths in sequence to successive reference lines drawn with the HVEF= option. The syntax of the line-width list requires parentheses and the line widths separated by spaces (width1 width2 ...widthN). The default line width is specified by the current style or by the AXIS statement's WIDTH= option. (By default, WIDTH=1.). To specify colors for these reference lines, use the CVREF= option.

Default:Current style setting, 1 if NOGSTYLE

Restriction:Not supported by Java and ActiveX

XTICKNUM=number-of-major-tick-marks

specifies the number of major tick marks on the horizontal x axis. The value of number-of-major-tick–marks must be greater than or equal to 2. The MAJOR= and ORDER= options in an AXIS definition that is assigned to the horizontal x axis overrides the XTICKNUM= option.

YTICKNUM= number-of-major-tick-marks

specifies the number of major tick marks on the vertical y axis. The value of number-of-major-tick-marks must be greater than or equal to 2. The MAJOR= and ORDER= options in an AXIS definition that is assigned to the vertical y axis overrides the YTICKNUM= option.