Dynamically add/create subplots in matplotlib

Solution 1:

Suppose you know total subplots and total columns you want to use:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

# Subplots are organized in a Rows x Cols Grid
# Tot and Cols are known

Tot = number_of_subplots
Cols = number_of_columns

# Compute Rows required

Rows = Tot // Cols 
Rows += Tot % Cols

# Create a Position index

Position = range(1,Tot + 1)

First instance of Rows accounts only for rows completely filled by subplots, then is added one more Row if 1 or 2 or ... Cols - 1 subplots still need location.

Then create figure and add subplots with a for loop.

# Create main figure

fig = plt.figure(1)
for k in range(Tot):

  # add every single subplot to the figure with a for loop

  ax = fig.add_subplot(Rows,Cols,Position[k])
  ax.plot(x,y)      # Or whatever you want in the subplot

plt.show()

Please note that you need the range Position to move the subplots into the right place.

Solution 2:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
from pylab import *
import numpy as np

x = np.linspace(0, 2*np.pi, 400)
y = np.sin(x**2)

subplots_adjust(hspace=0.000)
number_of_subplots=3

for i,v in enumerate(xrange(number_of_subplots)):
    v = v+1
    ax1 = subplot(number_of_subplots,1,v)
    ax1.plot(x,y)

plt.show()

This code works but you will need to correct the axes. I used to subplot to plot 3 graphs all in the same column. All you need to do is assign an integer to number_of_plots variable. If the X and Y values are different for each plot you will need to assign them for each plot.

subplot works as follows, if for example I had a subplot values of 3,1,1. This creates a 3x1 grid and places the plot in the 1st position. In the next interation if my subplot values were 3,1,2 it again creates a 3x1 grid but places the plot in the 2nd position and so forth.

Solution 3:

Based on this post, what you want to do is something like this:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

# Start with one
fig = plt.figure()
ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
ax.plot([1,2,3])

# Now later you get a new subplot; change the geometry of the existing
n = len(fig.axes)
for i in range(n):
    fig.axes[i].change_geometry(n+1, 1, i+1)

# Add the new
ax = fig.add_subplot(n+1, 1, n+1)
ax.plot([4,5,6])

plt.show() 

However, Paul H's answer points to the submodule called gridspec which might make the above easier. I am leaving that as an exercise for the reader ^_~.