`findobj`

Finds visible graphics objects by property values.

Syntax

h = findobj

Returns the root and all visible objects.

h = findobj(Name, Value)

Returns objects anywhere whose property matches.

h = findobj(parent, Name, Value)

Searches parent and its descendants only.

h = findobj(parent, '-depth', d, ___)

Limits how many levels below parent are searched.

Description

A common use is picking one line out of a plot by Tag or DisplayName to change it afterwards. Objects with HandleVisibility set to 'off' are skipped; use findall to include them.

Input arguments

parent: Figure, axes or other object to search under.
Name, Value: Property and the value to match; several pairs are combined with AND (use '-or' for OR).

Output arguments

h: Column array of handles; empty if nothing matches.

Example

Pick a line by tag

f = figure;
ax = axes;
l1 = plot(1:3, 'Tag', 'one');
hold on
l2 = plot(3:-1:1, 'Tag', 'two');
o = findobj(ax, 'Tag', 'two');
disp(o == l2)
disp(numel(findobj(f, 'Type', 'line')))

Output

   1
     2

findobj