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In order to add non-ggplot2 element to a patchwork they can be converted to a compliant representation using the wrap_elements() function. This allows you to position either grobs, ggplot objects, patchwork objects, or even base graphics (if passed as a formula) in either the full area, the full plotting area (anything between and including the axis label), or the panel area (only the actual area where data is drawn). Further you can still add title, subtitle, tag, and caption using the same approach as with normal ggplots (using ggtitle() and labs()) as well as styling using theme(). For the latter, only the theme elements targeting plot margins and background as well as title, subtitle, etc styling will have an effect. If a patchwork or ggplot object is wrapped, it will be fixated in its state and will no longer respond to addition of styling, geoms, etc.. When grobs and formulas are added directly, they will implicitly be converted to wrap_elements(full = x).

Usage

wrap_elements(
  panel = NULL,
  plot = NULL,
  full = NULL,
  clip = TRUE,
  ignore_tag = FALSE
)

Arguments

panel, plot, full

A grob, ggplot, patchwork, formula, raster, nativeRaster, or gt object to add to the respective area.

clip

Should the grobs be clipped if expanding outside its area

ignore_tag

Should tags be ignored for this patch. This is relevant when using automatic tagging of plots and the content of the patch does not qualify for a tag.

Value

A wrapped_patch object

Examples

library(ggplot2)
library(grid)

# Combine grobs with each other
wrap_elements(panel = textGrob('Here are some text')) +
  wrap_elements(
    panel = rectGrob(gp = gpar(fill = 'steelblue')),
    full = rectGrob(gp = gpar(fill = 'goldenrod'))
  )


# wrapped elements can still get titles etc like ggplots
wrap_elements(panel = textGrob('Here are some text')) +
  wrap_elements(
    panel = rectGrob(gp = gpar(fill = 'steelblue')),
    full = rectGrob(gp = gpar(fill = 'goldenrod'))
  ) +
  ggtitle('Title for the amazing rectangles')


# You can also pass in ggplots or patchworks to e.g. have it fill out the
# panel area
p1 <- ggplot(mtcars) + geom_point(aes(mpg, disp))
p1 + wrap_elements(panel = p1 + ggtitle('Look at me shrink'))


# You can even add base graphics if you pass it as a formula (requires gridGraphics package)
if (requireNamespace("gridGraphics", quietly = TRUE)) {
  p1 + wrap_elements(full = ~ plot(mtcars$mpg, mtcars$disp))

  # Adding a grob or formula directly is equivalent to placing it in `full`
  p1 + ~ plot(mtcars$mpg, mtcars$disp)
}