How to Reset the Hold on MATLAB

Use the "hold" function to plot multiple graphs in the same figure.

MATLAB is a software environment that allows you to create professional-quality technical figures as well as simulation and analysis. By default, each new graphing command renders into a new figure window, but this does not allow you to plot multiple curves on a single graph. Use the “hold” function in MATLAB to plot multiple curves in a single figure window.

Instructions

1. Create a new figure by executing the "figure()" command.

2. Plot the data from your first curve using the "plot()" command for 2-D line plots.

   plot(x,y1,'--b')

   The "--b" parameter creates a line plot with no point markers in the color blue.

3. Execute the command "hold on" to direct subsequent plotting command to the same figure.

4. Plot a second set of data using a plot() or other graphing command. For example, to plot a second set of data in red:

   plot(x,y2,'--r')

5. Turn the hold function off by executing the command "hold off."

References

• The MathWorks Inc.: MATLAB Documentation: Figure
• The MathWorks Inc.: MATLAB Documentation: Plot
• The MathWorks Inc.: MATLAB Documentation: Hold