Move Labels

The Graph Tools | Plot Tools | Move Labels command is used to move individual plot labels, axis tick mark labels, axis titles, graph titles, legend entries, and legend titles. This is useful when the labels or titles overlap each other. End Move Labels mode by pressing the ESC key, clicking Graph Tools | Plot Tools | Move Labels again, or by clicking the Select Tool.

The plot window cannot be panned with the middle mouse button when Move Labels mode is active. If you need to change the view, use the vertical and horizontal scroll bars to change the view. You can also zoom in and out in Move Labels mode by rolling the mouse wheel.

The plot window auto-scrolls when a label is dragged into the edge of the plot window. The plot window auto-scrolls in increments while in Move Labels mode. If you need to move a label outside of the current view, slowly drag the label to the edge of the plot window. Drag the label back into the plot window, and then drag the label to the edge of the plot window again. Repeat this process until the location where you want the label is visible in the plot window. Finally, drag the label to the desired position.

Return labels, titles, or entries to their default locations by selecting an object and clicking the Reset Positions command.

To Move Plot Labels:

  1. Select a single plot.
  2. If labels are not already displayed on the plot, check the Display labels box on the Labels tab in the Property Manager.
  3. Click the Graph Tools | Plot Tools | Move Labels command or right-click and select Move Labels.
  4. Click on a label and drag it to a new location.
  5. When you have finished positioning labels, press the ESC key.

NOTE: If you need to move several labels because they overlap, consider using the Disperse Labels command.

To Move Graph Titles:

  1. Select a graph.
  2. If a graph title is not already displayed, click on the Title tab in the Property Manager.
  3. Click the Editor button next to the Title command.
  4. In the dialog, type the graph title and click OK.
  5. Click the Graph Tools | Plot Tools | Move Labels command or right-click and select Move Title.
  6. Click on the graph title and drag it to a new location.
  7. When you have finished positioning the graph title, press the ESC key to make the change.

To Move Axis Titles or Axis Labels:

  1. Select a single axis.
  2. If tick labels are not already displayed on the axis, check the Show labels boxes on the Tick Labels tab in the Property Manager.
  3. If axis titles are not already displayed on the axis, click the Editor button next to the Title command on the Axis tab in the Property Manager.
  4. In the dialog, type the axis title and click OK.
  5. Click the Graph Tools | Plot Tools | Move Labels command or right-click and select Move Labels.
  6. Click on a tick label or axis title and drag it to a new location.
  7. When you have finished positioning tick labels or the axis title, press the ESC key to make the change.

To Move Legend Titles or Entries:

  1. Select a single legend.
  2. Click the Graph Tools | Plot Tools | Move Labels command or right-click and select Move Labels.
  3. Click on the legend title or entry and drag it to a new location.
  4. When you have finished positioning the legend title and entries, press the ESC key to make the change.

See Also

Disperse Labels

Reset Positions

Property Manager

Object Manager

Graph Tools Tab Commands