Matplotlib: How to clear a plot element using its handle

Question

I don't understand why this is so hard, but I can't figure out how to do it. If I have multiple lines or points plotted and want to clear one of them, how is that done? Other posts point to remove(), but this is not working in my case. See example:

Python 2.7.5 (default, Apr  2 2020, 13:16:51) 
[GCC 4.8.5 20150623 (Red Hat 4.8.5-39)] on linux2
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>> import numpy as np
>>> import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
>>> 
>>> plt.ion()
>>> x = np.arange(100.) / 99
>>> y = np.sin(x)
>>> fig, ax = plt.subplots()
>>> h = ax.plot(x, y)
>>> h.remove()
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "<stdin>", line 1, in <module>
TypeError: remove() takes exactly one argument (0 given)

Probably you want h, = ax.plot(x, y) as plot() returns a list (containing one element). See matplotlib 2d line line,=plot comma meaning — JohanC
– JohanC, Commented Nov 11, 2020 at 22:03

Zoe - Save the data dump · Accepted Answer · 2021-11-13 08:52:11Z

2

I think JohanC's answer is indeed correct.
You can simply try putting a print(h) just before h.remove() line. We will notice a list object being returned. However, if you use h = ax.plot(x, y) instead and then use print(h), we will see only one object like Line2D being returned (not a list) and h.remove() should work.

edited Nov 13, 2021 at 8:52

Zoe - Save the data dump

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answered Nov 13, 2021 at 1:53

Roy

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1 Comment

Mastiff Over a year ago

Do you mean to say "h, = ax.plot(x,y)", with the comma?

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