Introduction
DataGraph is a professional graphing and data analysis application for scientists, engineers, and analysts. A DataGraph file is like a workbook that contains data, notes, settings, commands, and graphics, all in one adjustable panel display. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.
Help Notes
The first time you open DataGraph you will see a new file that is populated with help bubbles. This built-in getting started guide will take about 10 to 15 minutes to read through.
Start reading the help bubbles in the Data Panel on the left. You will need to scroll down the Data panel and Command List sections to see all the notes.
When you add columns of data, variables, commands, or new graphs, relevant sections of the help bubbles disappear. Create a new document to see them again.
Turn on/off from Help > Show Help Notes for New Files.
The help notes give an overview of the strucure of the program. In the Command List section, you’ll find a detailed break down of the main options in the Plot command. The On-Line help and Manual provide more detailed help when you need it.
User Interface
When the help notes are not active, a new blank file looks like this. A new blank file will contain access to commands and settings but does not have any data or graph elements.
The user interface has several options for customization, such as detaching the active graph window, swapping the data and commands, or using the alternate screen mode designed for small screens.
Enter Data
Data can be entered manually into the data table or using a simple copy and paste. To enter data manually, you will first need to add a column from either of the four main types: number, text, expression, or dates.
Import Data
As noted in the center of the Help Notes, you can import data in several ways, including:
- Copy and Paste
- Drag and Drop
- Importing from the Data menu
- Right-clicking on CSV or Excel files in the Finder
Edit Data
DataGraph has lots of actions for common data manipulation tasks. The Editing Data section of the Knowledge Base has several articles to illustrate how these techniques. Start by learning how to hide columns from view.
Drawing Commands
Creating a graph is a combination of layering different drawing commands and varying command options. Each command is essentially a drawing layer. You can add as many as you like to a graph. The layers are drawn from top to bottom in the command list.
In the example below, two number columns are selected and a Plot command is added from the toolbar. The command draws the line. The command options are customized for color, line thickness, and points.
Commands can also analyze data, such as drawing histograms, calculating summary statistics, or fitting data to functions. They can also be used to annotate your graph with text, regions, and legends.
Click the Draw and Label icons to see the full list of commands. Click the Add button to add commands to the active graph. Click the question mark to the right to access the help article for that command.
Start by learning about the Plot command.
Layout Settings
You can also control the size, labels, font, colors, gridlines, and more using the Layout settings.
- Style settings
- Axis settings, and
- Canvas settings.
Start learning about the Style settings.
Export Images
You can quickly get an image from DataGraph to another program by copying and pasting. Use Edit > Copy Figure (⇧⌘C) or control-click on the graph itself and select Copy > Copy Figure. Once copied, you can paste the image into documents or presentations directly.
To export an image file, select File > Export Graphic. Select from png, tiff, jpg, svg, eps, or pdf. Export one graph at a time or batch export a series of graphs.