Overlapping Annotations in Matplotlib: A Comprehensive Solution

In the realm of data visualization, it is common to encounter the issue of overlapping annotations, where text labels obscure one another, making it difficult to interpret the graph. To address this challenge, various approaches have been proposed, yet for complex graphs like those with overlapping lines, finding a suitable solution can be difficult. This post presents a comprehensive solution using the 'adjustText' library, offering a more robust and versatile approach than traditional methods.

The Overlapping Annotation Problem

In matplotlib, annotating data points with text labels is a valuable feature. However, when the graph becomes complex and lines overlap, the annotations can also overlap, hindering readability. To illustrate this issue, consider the sample code provided in the original question:

for x,y,z in together:
    plt.annotate(str(x), xy=(y, z), size=8)

When this code is executed, the resulting graph displays overlapping annotations, as shown in the image below:

[Image of overlapping annotations]

The 'adjustText' Library

The 'adjustText' library provides an elegant solution to the overlapping annotation problem. It automatically adjusts the positions of text labels to minimize overlap while maintaining their legibility. The library offers a range of options to customize the adjustment process, allowing users to fine-tune the positioning of annotations.

Implementation of the Solution

To implement the 'adjustText' library, simply import it into your code:

from adjustText import adjust_text

Once imported, you can use the 'adjust_text' function to automatically adjust the positions of text annotations. The example code below demonstrates how to use the library:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
from adjustText import adjust_text

# Create the text annotations
texts = []
for x, y, s in zip(eucs, covers, text):
    texts.append(plt.text(x, y, s))

# Adjust the text positions
adjust_text(texts, only_move={'points':'y', 'texts':'y'})

Example of the Solution

The following image shows the result of using the 'adjustText' library to adjust the positions of annotations in the sample graph:

[Image of well-positioned annotations]

As you can see, the annotations are now spaced apart and no longer overlap. The 'adjustText' library provides a simple and effective solution to the overlapping annotation problem, allowing you to create visually appealing and informative graphs.