how to change datatip from datenum format to datestr format

Hi everyone,

basically I'm trying to change datatip properties, in particular I'm trying to change the format of datatips for dates from datanum format to a string format (as 'dd/MM/yyyy').

In this case, the variables plotted are:

• 'dates': contains the dates as "datenum" format so its format is 'double';
• 'ptot_cumpl' and 'capInit' are 'double' format variables.
• I'm trying to understand how to do it for the "Total Portfolio" line that is the subplot1, then I'll do the same for all the others.

aa = plot(dates,ptot_cumpl+capInit,'k-','LineWidth',2);

xlim([dates(1) dates(end)+20]);
datetick ('x','mmm YYYY','keeplimits','keepticks');
grid on;
ytickformat('usd');

aa.DataTipTemplate.DataTipRows(1).Label = 'Date';
aa.DataTipTemplate.DataTipRows(2).Label = 'Cum Profit';
aa.DataTipTemplate.DataTipRows(2).Format = '%.0f';

Then I tried to change the values for "DataTipRows(1)" but I got this error:

aa1 = dataTipTextRow('Date',datestr(dates,'dd/MM/yyyy'));
aa.DataTipTemplate.DataTipRows(1) = aa1;

Error using matlab.graphics.datatip.DataTipTemplate/set.DataTipRows

Value must be a string scalar or a character vector with the name of a data property, such as 'XData', or it must be a vector or a function handle.

I tried also writing the last 2 lines as follows but it seems all the contained data is applied to each x axis step:

aa.DataTipTemplate.DataTipRows(1) = datestr(dates,'dd/MM/yyyy');

Warning: Error creating or updating Text

Error in value of property String

Text length might be too long to display.

Warning: Error creating or updating Text

Error in value of property String

Text length might be too long to display.

Warning: Error creating or updating Text

Error in value of property String

Text length might be too long to display.

Warning: Error creating or updating Text

Error in value of property String

Text length might be too long to display.

I tried then also converting the date variable to a string array but I get again an error.

aa.DataTipTemplate.DataTipRows(1) = string(datestr(dates));

Error using matlab.graphics.datatip.DataTipTemplate/set.DataTipRows

Label must be either a string scalar or character vector.

Thanks everyone! ;)

Answer 1

[Cris LaPierre]

I would suggest converting your dates to datetimes. Then you can just set the formatting of your displayed dates to be whatever you want.

dates = datetime(2012,01,01,0,0,0):days(1):datetime(2012,12,31,24,0,0);
temp = rand(size(dates));

aa = plot(dates,cumsum(temp));

aa.DataTipTemplate.DataTipRows(1).Label = 'Date';
aa.DataTipTemplate.DataTipRows(1).Format = "dd/MM/yyyy";
aa.DataTipTemplate.DataTipRows(2).Label = 'Cum Profit';

[endystrike]

solved following your suggestions, thanks a lot! ;)

date_ax = datetime(dates,'ConvertFrom','datenum');
aa = plot(date_ax,ptot_cumpl+capInit,'k-','LineWidth',2);
aa.DataTipTemplate.DataTipRows(1).Label = 'Date';
aa.DataTipTemplate.DataTipRows(1).Format = "dd/MM/yyyy";
aa.DataTipTemplate.DataTipRows(2).Label = 'Cum Profit';
aa.DataTipTemplate.DataTipRows(2).Format = '%.0f';

xlim([date_ax(1) date_ax(end)+20]);
datetick ('x', 'mmm YYYY', 'keeplimits', 'keepticks');
grid on;
ytickformat('usd');