Changing subplot axis label using subplot handle

I have a figure with 2 subplots, and I'd like to set the axis labels. I have assigned the handles P1 and P2 to the two subplots, e.g.

P1 = subplot(2,1,1);
P2 = subplot(2,1,2);

After plotting my data, I can do things like:

set(P1, 'YLim', [0 2])

but when I try changing the xlabel,

set(P1, 'Xlabel', 'This is the X label')

I get an error:

??? Error using ==> set Value must be a handle

I've tried changing case 'xlabel' and a few other things, but the documentation wasn't any help. Any ideas?

Answer 1

[Geoff]

That's because the value for 'XLabel' is actually a handle to another object. To see its properties, do this:

get( get(P1,'XLabel') );

Now, there's a property in there called 'String'. You should do this:

set( get(P1,'XLabel'), 'String', 'This is the X label' );

[Earl]

Thank you! I might have spent hours trying to work this out.

Answer 2

[Image Analyst]

Earl, there is a function called xlabel() and it takes a handle.

xlabel(P1, 'This is the X Label');

I believe this is the preferred, simpler way. If you set it right after you call subplot, then you don't even need to pass in the axes

suplot(1,2,1);
plot(x,y);
xlabel('X axis #1', 'FontSize', 20);

suplot(1,2,2);
plot(x,y);
xlabel('X axis #2', 'FontSize', 14);

[Geoff]

+1: Thanks =) I didn't know that one.

Answer 3

[Nguyen Thien An]

This syntax work with me:

ax = subplot (2,2,1)
ax.XLabel.String = 'This is your label';