copyUIAxes

Copy UIAxes (eg. AppDesigner) and most properties to a new figure and recreate the legend and colorbar if they exist.

Version 4.0.1 (193 KB)
2K Downloads
(21)
17 Mar 2021

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Editor's Note: This file was selected as MATLAB Central Pick of the Week

Use copyUIAxes() to copy plots in AppDesigner or any UIAxes onto regular axes which can be easily saved, printed, or modified.

copyUIAxes copies all children and most properties of a UIAxes to regular axes. If the UIAxes has a legend or colorbar, they can be recreated in the new axes, too.

copyUIAxes(ax) creates a new figure and copies the UIAxes (ax) content to the new figure.

copyUIAxes(ax, destination) copies the UIAxes to the destination which can be a figure or axis handle.

copyUIAxes(ax, 'copyPosition', true) will copy the position properties so the copied axes have the same position relative to the figure as the UIAxes or App.

See the file's help section and the demo document for other optional inputs and demos.

--------------------------------Notes--------------------------------
In r2020a Matlab released exportgraphics() and copygraphics() which can be used to copy uiaxes and uifigures which makes parts of copyUIAxes() obsolete.

For discussion on this topic:
https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/281318-how-can-i-save-a-figure-within-app-designer

Cite As

Adam Danz (2026). copyUIAxes (https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/73103-copyuiaxes), MATLAB Central File Exchange. Retrieved .

Acknowledgements

Inspired by: export_fig

Inspired: BoxPlotPro, Phase Portrait Plotter, BOS Setup Generator

Categories

Find more on Develop Apps Using App Designer in Help Center and MATLAB Answers

General Information

MATLAB Release Compatibility

  • Compatible with R2016a to R2020b

Platform Compatibility

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux
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Version Published Release Notes
4.0.1

Fixed error with Matlab version check in r2021a.

4.0.0

Now supports yyaxis plots & copies subtitles. PositionConstraint no longer copied.

3.0.0

copyPosition input added to copy the axes position within the figure. Other minor changes.

2.0.0.1

Updated release compatibility fields; no changes to code.

2.0.0

Updated for changes made to Matlab r2020a
1.2.0.1

Announcement: Update for r2020a coming soon.

1.2.0

Now works with categoricalHistograms; new warning message appears if there's a problem copying a property; drawnow() added prior to copying; axis visibility is set at the end only when the UIAxis visibility is 'on'.

1.1.1

Changed thumbnail image only.

1.1.0

Destination figure handle returned in output structure; improved error handling; improved listIgnoredProps text.
1.0.1

Edited description; no change to code.

1.0.0