PyCharm and Matplotlib: Solving the Plot Display Issue

When working with data visualization in Python, Matplotlib is a go-to library for many developers. It's powerful, flexible, and integrates well with a variety of data science tools. However, transitioning from a straightforward script execution in a terminal to running the same code within an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) like PyCharm can sometimes introduce unexpected behaviors. One common issue that baffles many newcomers and seasoned developers alike is when PyCharm does not display plots created with Matplotlib. This blog post aims to demystify this problem and provide a straightforward solution to ensure your visualizations appear as intended.

The Problem

Imagine you've written a simple script to visualize some data using Matplotlib. Running this script directly in a Python interpreter (e.g., command line or terminal) works flawlessly, displaying the intended plot. However, when you execute the same script in PyCharm, the plot doesn't show up. No error messages, no warnings – the plot simply doesn't appear, leaving you puzzled.

Understanding the Issue

The root of this problem lies in how PyCharm handles plot displays from Matplotlib. Unlike running a script in a terminal, PyCharm does not automatically display plots. This behavior is due to PyCharm's handling of graphical backends and its run configurations, which are not always immediately intuitive for all users.

The Solution

Fortunately, solving this issue is straightforward once you understand the cause. Here's a step-by-step guide to ensure your plots show up in PyCharm:

1. Ensure Matplotlib is Installed

First, make sure you have Matplotlib installed in your project's virtual environment. You can install it via PyCharm's terminal or the integrated package manager:

pip install matplotlib

2. Use the show() Function

When running scripts in a terminal, Matplotlib's plots are displayed by default. However, in an IDE like PyCharm, you need to explicitly call the show() function after your plotting commands. This function tells Matplotlib to render the plot. Here's a simple example:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

plt.plot([1, 2, 3], [4, 5, 6])
plt.show()  # This line is crucial in PyCharm

3. Configure PyCharm for Scientific Mode (Optional)

PyCharm offers a Scientific Mode that provides an enhanced interface for working with data science and analytical projects. This mode includes features like an integrated data viewer and improved plot interaction. To ensure plots are automatically displayed in PyCharm's Scientific Mode, follow these steps:

• Go to File > Settings (or Preferences on macOS).
• Navigate to Tools > Python Scientific.
• Check the box for “Show plots in tool window”.

With this setting enabled, PyCharm will display plots in a dedicated tool window, allowing for interactive exploration of your visualizations.

Conclusion

Not seeing your plots appear in PyCharm can be frustrating, but it's usually a simple fix away from being resolved. By ensuring you call the show() function in your scripts and adjusting PyCharm's settings as needed, you can seamlessly integrate Matplotlib's powerful visualization capabilities into your PyCharm development workflow. Happy plotting!