Skip labels on an axis

Creates a labeller function that removes every n-th label on an ggplot2 axis. Useful for reducing overlapping labels while keeping the major ticks.

Usage

label_skip(n = 2, start = "left", labeller = NULL)

Arguments

n

Integer. Display every nth label. Default is 2.

start

Where to start the pattern. Either "left" for first tick (default), "right" for last tick, or an integer position (i.e. 1 for first tick, 2 for second tick, etc.).

labeller

Optional function to transform labels before applying skip pattern. For example label_date(). For more complex labeller combinations use scales::compose_label().

Value

A function that takes a vector of labels and returns a vector with skipped labels replaced by empty strings.

Examples

library(ggplot2)
# Default skip labels
ggplot(mtcars, aes(x = mpg, y = wt)) +
  geom_point() +
  scale_x_continuous(labels = label_skip())


# Skip date labels, while keep ticks
ggplot(economics, aes(x = date, y = unemploy)) +
  geom_line() +
  scale_x_date(
    date_breaks = "2 years",
    labels = label_skip(start = "right", labeller = label_date(format = "%Y"))
  ) +
  theme_bw()