Combine: creates disastrous figure

[Mario Ferri]

Dear all

I am using the following code for the time series graph, and I am having some issues combining multiple graphs.

The code produces a wonderful graph for publication exactly as I would like it if it were single, but when I attempt to combine the same graph for a number of plots, something disastrous is happening. Labels, overlaid on each other, anything you could imagine—I would like to combine 17 plots into the same figure. For time savings, I provide data for the first plot; just assume that this needs to be reproduced and combined all together. The code I use, and a data sample, are below. It is the same for the first subplot, repeated 17 times for the graph combination. The results I get are in this figure. As you can see, it is a totally unproductive graph. Note that I used the altshrink option to shrink labels without results.

I would greatly appreciate it if you could be of any help on this.



Best



Mario

Best



Mario

 tsset year
  
  twoway (tsline lp, lpattern(solid) lcolor(navy) lw(medthick) yaxis(1) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", axis(1))) (tsline  lpr, lpattern(dash) lcolor(black) lw(medthick yaxis(1))) (tsline pri,lpattern(dash_dot) yaxis(2) ) (tsline gri, lpattern(shortdash) yaxis(2) ) (tsline pec ,lpattern(longdash) yaxis(2)) (tsline gec , lpattern(dash_dot_dot) yaxis(2) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" , axis(2)) ) if inrange(year,1970,2010) , graphr(c(white)) ///
 legend(order(1 "Growth rate of labor productivity" 2 "WHATEVER EVER LONG LONG TITLE GOES HERE" 3 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 4 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 5 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 6 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE") col(6) size(4) ring(0) pos(1) region(lcolor(none))) ///
 title("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", size(medsmall)) xsize(4) ysize(1)  xlabel(1970(5)2010)  nodraw name(MOD1)

 

  
 
  
  twoway (tsline lp, lpattern(solid) lcolor(navy) lw(medthick) yaxis(1) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", axis(1))) (tsline  lpr, lpattern(dash) lcolor(black) lw(medthick yaxis(1))) (tsline pri,lpattern(dash_dot) yaxis(2) ) (tsline gri, lpattern(shortdash) yaxis(2) ) (tsline pec ,lpattern(longdash) yaxis(2)) (tsline gec , lpattern(dash_dot_dot) yaxis(2) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" , axis(2)) ) if inrange(year,1970,2010) , graphr(c(white)) ///
 legend(order(1 "Growth rate of labor productivity" 2 "WHATEVER EVER LONG LONG TITLE GOES HERE" 3 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 4 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 5 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 6 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE") col(6) size(4) ring(0) pos(1) region(lcolor(none))) ///
 title("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", size(medsmall)) xsize(4) ysize(1)  xlabel(1970(5)2010)  nodraw name(MOD2)

 
  
  twoway (tsline lp, lpattern(solid) lcolor(navy) lw(medthick) yaxis(1) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", axis(1))) (tsline  lpr, lpattern(dash) lcolor(black) lw(medthick yaxis(1))) (tsline pri,lpattern(dash_dot) yaxis(2) ) (tsline gri, lpattern(shortdash) yaxis(2) ) (tsline pec ,lpattern(longdash) yaxis(2)) (tsline gec , lpattern(dash_dot_dot) yaxis(2) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" , axis(2)) ) if inrange(year,1970,2010) , graphr(c(white)) ///
 legend(order(1 "Growth rate of labor productivity" 2 "WHATEVER EVER LONG LONG TITLE GOES HERE" 3 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 4 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 5 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 6 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE") col(6) size(4) ring(0) pos(1) region(lcolor(none))) ///
 title("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", size(medsmall)) xsize(4) ysize(1)  xlabel(1970(5)2010)  nodraw name(MOD3)

 
  
  twoway (tsline lp, lpattern(solid) lcolor(navy) lw(medthick) yaxis(1) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", axis(1))) (tsline  lpr, lpattern(dash) lcolor(black) lw(medthick yaxis(1))) (tsline pri,lpattern(dash_dot) yaxis(2) ) (tsline gri, lpattern(shortdash) yaxis(2) ) (tsline pec ,lpattern(longdash) yaxis(2)) (tsline gec , lpattern(dash_dot_dot) yaxis(2) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" , axis(2)) ) if inrange(year,1970,2010) , graphr(c(white)) ///
 legend(order(1 "Growth rate of labor productivity" 2 "WHATEVER EVER LONG LONG TITLE GOES HERE" 3 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 4 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 5 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 6 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE") col(6) size(4) ring(0) pos(1) region(lcolor(none))) ///
 title("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", size(medsmall)) xsize(4) ysize(1)  xlabel(1970(5)2010)  nodraw name(MOD4)

  
  twoway (tsline lp, lpattern(solid) lcolor(navy) lw(medthick) yaxis(1) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", axis(1))) (tsline  lpr, lpattern(dash) lcolor(black) lw(medthick yaxis(1))) (tsline pri,lpattern(dash_dot) yaxis(2) ) (tsline gri, lpattern(shortdash) yaxis(2) ) (tsline pec ,lpattern(longdash) yaxis(2)) (tsline gec , lpattern(dash_dot_dot) yaxis(2) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" , axis(2)) ) if inrange(year,1970,2010) , graphr(c(white)) ///
 legend(order(1 "Growth rate of labor productivity" 2 "WHATEVER EVER LONG LONG TITLE GOES HERE" 3 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 4 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 5 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 6 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE") col(6) size(4) ring(0) pos(1) region(lcolor(none))) ///
 title("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", size(medsmall)) xsize(4) ysize(1)  xlabel(1970(5)2010)  nodraw name(MOD5)

  
  twoway (tsline lp, lpattern(solid) lcolor(navy) lw(medthick) yaxis(1) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", axis(1))) (tsline  lpr, lpattern(dash) lcolor(black) lw(medthick yaxis(1))) (tsline pri,lpattern(dash_dot) yaxis(2) ) (tsline gri, lpattern(shortdash) yaxis(2) ) (tsline pec ,lpattern(longdash) yaxis(2)) (tsline gec , lpattern(dash_dot_dot) yaxis(2) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" , axis(2)) ) if inrange(year,1970,2010) , graphr(c(white)) ///
 legend(order(1 "Growth rate of labor productivity" 2 "WHATEVER EVER LONG LONG TITLE GOES HERE" 3 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 4 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 5 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 6 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE") col(6) size(4) ring(0) pos(1) region(lcolor(none))) ///
 title("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", size(medsmall)) xsize(4) ysize(1)  xlabel(1970(5)2010)  nodraw name(MOD6)

  
  twoway (tsline lp, lpattern(solid) lcolor(navy) lw(medthick) yaxis(1) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", axis(1))) (tsline  lpr, lpattern(dash) lcolor(black) lw(medthick yaxis(1))) (tsline pri,lpattern(dash_dot) yaxis(2) ) (tsline gri, lpattern(shortdash) yaxis(2) ) (tsline pec ,lpattern(longdash) yaxis(2)) (tsline gec , lpattern(dash_dot_dot) yaxis(2) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" , axis(2)) ) if inrange(year,1970,2010) , graphr(c(white)) ///
 legend(order(1 "Growth rate of labor productivity" 2 "WHATEVER EVER LONG LONG TITLE GOES HERE" 3 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 4 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 5 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 6 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE") col(6) size(4) ring(0) pos(1) region(lcolor(none))) ///
 title("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", size(medsmall)) xsize(4) ysize(1)  xlabel(1970(5)2010)  nodraw name(MOD7)

  
  twoway (tsline lp, lpattern(solid) lcolor(navy) lw(medthick) yaxis(1) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", axis(1))) (tsline  lpr, lpattern(dash) lcolor(black) lw(medthick yaxis(1))) (tsline pri,lpattern(dash_dot) yaxis(2) ) (tsline gri, lpattern(shortdash) yaxis(2) ) (tsline pec ,lpattern(longdash) yaxis(2)) (tsline gec , lpattern(dash_dot_dot) yaxis(2) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" , axis(2)) ) if inrange(year,1970,2010) , graphr(c(white)) ///
 legend(order(1 "Growth rate of labor productivity" 2 "WHATEVER EVER LONG LONG TITLE GOES HERE" 3 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 4 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 5 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 6 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE") col(6) size(4) ring(0) pos(1) region(lcolor(none))) ///
 title("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", size(medsmall)) xsize(4) ysize(1)  xlabel(1970(5)2010)  nodraw name(MOD8)

  
  twoway (tsline lp, lpattern(solid) lcolor(navy) lw(medthick) yaxis(1) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", axis(1))) (tsline  lpr, lpattern(dash) lcolor(black) lw(medthick yaxis(1))) (tsline pri,lpattern(dash_dot) yaxis(2) ) (tsline gri, lpattern(shortdash) yaxis(2) ) (tsline pec ,lpattern(longdash) yaxis(2)) (tsline gec , lpattern(dash_dot_dot) yaxis(2) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" , axis(2)) ) if inrange(year,1970,2010) , graphr(c(white)) ///
 legend(order(1 "Growth rate of labor productivity" 2 "WHATEVER EVER LONG LONG TITLE GOES HERE" 3 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 4 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 5 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 6 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE") col(6) size(4) ring(0) pos(1) region(lcolor(none))) ///
 title("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", size(medsmall)) xsize(4) ysize(1)  xlabel(1970(5)2010)  nodraw name(MOD9)

  
  twoway (tsline lp, lpattern(solid) lcolor(navy) lw(medthick) yaxis(1) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", axis(1))) (tsline  lpr, lpattern(dash) lcolor(black) lw(medthick yaxis(1))) (tsline pri,lpattern(dash_dot) yaxis(2) ) (tsline gri, lpattern(shortdash) yaxis(2) ) (tsline pec ,lpattern(longdash) yaxis(2)) (tsline gec , lpattern(dash_dot_dot) yaxis(2) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" , axis(2)) ) if inrange(year,1970,2010) , graphr(c(white)) ///
 legend(order(1 "Growth rate of labor productivity" 2 "WHATEVER EVER LONG LONG TITLE GOES HERE" 3 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 4 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 5 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 6 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE") col(6) size(4) ring(0) pos(1) region(lcolor(none))) ///
 title("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", size(medsmall)) xsize(4) ysize(1)  xlabel(1970(5)2010)  nodraw name(MOD10)

  
  twoway (tsline lp, lpattern(solid) lcolor(navy) lw(medthick) yaxis(1) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", axis(1))) (tsline  lpr, lpattern(dash) lcolor(black) lw(medthick yaxis(1))) (tsline pri,lpattern(dash_dot) yaxis(2) ) (tsline gri, lpattern(shortdash) yaxis(2) ) (tsline pec ,lpattern(longdash) yaxis(2)) (tsline gec , lpattern(dash_dot_dot) yaxis(2) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" , axis(2)) ) if inrange(year,1970,2010) , graphr(c(white)) ///
 legend(order(1 "Growth rate of labor productivity" 2 "WHATEVER EVER LONG LONG TITLE GOES HERE" 3 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 4 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 5 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 6 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE") col(6) size(4) ring(0) pos(1) region(lcolor(none))) ///
 title("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", size(medsmall)) xsize(4) ysize(1)  xlabel(1970(5)2010)  nodraw name(MOD11)

  
  twoway (tsline lp, lpattern(solid) lcolor(navy) lw(medthick) yaxis(1) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", axis(1))) (tsline  lpr, lpattern(dash) lcolor(black) lw(medthick yaxis(1))) (tsline pri,lpattern(dash_dot) yaxis(2) ) (tsline gri, lpattern(shortdash) yaxis(2) ) (tsline pec ,lpattern(longdash) yaxis(2)) (tsline gec , lpattern(dash_dot_dot) yaxis(2) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" , axis(2)) ) if inrange(year,1970,2010) , graphr(c(white)) ///
 legend(order(1 "Growth rate of labor productivity" 2 "WHATEVER EVER LONG LONG TITLE GOES HERE" 3 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 4 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 5 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 6 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE") col(6) size(4) ring(0) pos(1) region(lcolor(none))) ///
 title("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", size(medsmall)) xsize(4) ysize(1)  xlabel(1970(5)2010)  nodraw name(MOD12)

  
  twoway (tsline lp, lpattern(solid) lcolor(navy) lw(medthick) yaxis(1) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", axis(1))) (tsline  lpr, lpattern(dash) lcolor(black) lw(medthick yaxis(1))) (tsline pri,lpattern(dash_dot) yaxis(2) ) (tsline gri, lpattern(shortdash) yaxis(2) ) (tsline pec ,lpattern(longdash) yaxis(2)) (tsline gec , lpattern(dash_dot_dot) yaxis(2) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" , axis(2)) ) if inrange(year,1970,2010) , graphr(c(white)) ///
 legend(order(1 "Growth rate of labor productivity" 2 "WHATEVER EVER LONG LONG TITLE GOES HERE" 3 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 4 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 5 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 6 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE") col(6) size(4) ring(0) pos(1) region(lcolor(none))) ///
 title("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", size(medsmall)) xsize(4) ysize(1)  xlabel(1970(5)2010)  nodraw name(MOD13)

  
  twoway (tsline lp, lpattern(solid) lcolor(navy) lw(medthick) yaxis(1) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", axis(1))) (tsline  lpr, lpattern(dash) lcolor(black) lw(medthick yaxis(1))) (tsline pri,lpattern(dash_dot) yaxis(2) ) (tsline gri, lpattern(shortdash) yaxis(2) ) (tsline pec ,lpattern(longdash) yaxis(2)) (tsline gec , lpattern(dash_dot_dot) yaxis(2) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" , axis(2)) ) if inrange(year,1970,2010) , graphr(c(white)) ///
 legend(order(1 "Growth rate of labor productivity" 2 "WHATEVER EVER LONG LONG TITLE GOES HERE" 3 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 4 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 5 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 6 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE") col(6) size(4) ring(0) pos(1) region(lcolor(none))) ///
 title("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", size(medsmall)) xsize(4) ysize(1)  xlabel(1970(5)2010)  nodraw name(MOD14)

  
  twoway (tsline lp, lpattern(solid) lcolor(navy) lw(medthick) yaxis(1) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", axis(1))) (tsline  lpr, lpattern(dash) lcolor(black) lw(medthick yaxis(1))) (tsline pri,lpattern(dash_dot) yaxis(2) ) (tsline gri, lpattern(shortdash) yaxis(2) ) (tsline pec ,lpattern(longdash) yaxis(2)) (tsline gec , lpattern(dash_dot_dot) yaxis(2) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" , axis(2)) ) if inrange(year,1970,2010) , graphr(c(white)) ///
 legend(order(1 "Growth rate of labor productivity" 2 "WHATEVER EVER LONG LONG TITLE GOES HERE" 3 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 4 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 5 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 6 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE") col(6) size(4) ring(0) pos(1) region(lcolor(none))) ///
 title("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", size(medsmall)) xsize(4) ysize(1)  xlabel(1970(5)2010)  nodraw name(MOD15)

  
  twoway (tsline lp, lpattern(solid) lcolor(navy) lw(medthick) yaxis(1) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", axis(1))) (tsline  lpr, lpattern(dash) lcolor(black) lw(medthick yaxis(1))) (tsline pri,lpattern(dash_dot) yaxis(2) ) (tsline gri, lpattern(shortdash) yaxis(2) ) (tsline pec ,lpattern(longdash) yaxis(2)) (tsline gec , lpattern(dash_dot_dot) yaxis(2) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" , axis(2)) ) if inrange(year,1970,2010) , graphr(c(white)) ///
 legend(order(1 "Growth rate of labor productivity" 2 "WHATEVER EVER LONG LONG TITLE GOES HERE" 3 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 4 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 5 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 6 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE") col(6) size(4) ring(0) pos(1) region(lcolor(none))) ///
 title("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", size(medsmall)) xsize(4) ysize(1)  xlabel(1970(5)2010)  nodraw name(MOD16)

  
  twoway (tsline lp, lpattern(solid) lcolor(navy) lw(medthick) yaxis(1) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", axis(1))) (tsline  lpr, lpattern(dash) lcolor(black) lw(medthick yaxis(1))) (tsline pri,lpattern(dash_dot) yaxis(2) ) (tsline gri, lpattern(shortdash) yaxis(2) ) (tsline pec ,lpattern(longdash) yaxis(2)) (tsline gec , lpattern(dash_dot_dot) yaxis(2) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" , axis(2)) ) if inrange(year,1970,2010) , graphr(c(white)) ///
 legend(order(1 "Growth rate of labor productivity" 2 "WHATEVER EVER LONG LONG TITLE GOES HERE" 3 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 4 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 5 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 6 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE") col(6) size(4) ring(0) pos(1) region(lcolor(none))) ///
 title("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", size(medsmall)) xsize(4) ysize(1)  xlabel(1970(5)2010)  nodraw name(MOD17)
 
 
 
 
 graph combine MOD1 MOD2 MOD3 MOD4 MOD5 MOD6 MOD7 MOD8 MOD9 MOD10 MOD11 MOD12 MOD13 MOD14 MOD15 MOD16 MOD17, graphr(c(white))   title("WHATEVER EVER  TITLE FOR THE PLOT GOES HERE", size(medsmall)) altshrink

----------------------- copy starting from the next line -----------------------

* Example generated by -dataex-. For more info, type help dataex
clear
input float(year pri gri pec gec lpr lp)
1970 -.11020923   1.122472 -1.6690977    -.609033  .0019841194  .28916454
1971 -.11784625 -1.4437325  -.6124067  -1.0307827    .01531744 -.18896055
1972  -.7309446  -.9740481   .4134553   -.3323314     .0065732 -.08211374
1973  -3.411802  -2.350223 -1.4371306   -.6980138   .001730442 -.17750692
1974   .6505284   .6891103    1.58546   1.1790892   .032778263 -.05131817
1975  -.5586438  1.0655098  -.6442625   -.1395919    .04823589  -.7042222
1976  4.4099493   2.783047   1.224238    .7382225  -.023154736 -1.0049963
1977  -.3375759   .3593845  .04653448   .40331775   -.02530527   .4274552
1978   .1781428   .2449851  -.4878092   -.2399677    .01596117 -.01406598
1979  1.0419207    .384033  1.2527897    .5596663  .0022716522 .036265373
1980   .9817587  1.5234034   .4267486    .5921825   .014349937  -.3305197
1981   .3842666 -.04288566  -.0588057  -.32790565    .04069948  -.5351281
1982   .3166945 -.17985135   .7687415    .8153216  -.012685776  -.3424797
1983   2.773745   2.571451   .9366226   1.1103046  -.005513668  .11159432
1984   .8404977  .30912805   .9496725    .8827789   -.01543522 -.12059069
1985    .723146   .8237398  .27580595   .59342194   .010739803   .3617719
1986  2.2070675  1.6060398  1.0589557    .9092412   -.01013136    -.46076
1987 -2.2916596 -1.3056936   -.185843  -.19152117  -.032797813  .27034593
1988 -1.9010205 -2.7576854 -1.1911068   -1.388949   .009019375  -.3210269
1989 -.52814835  -.7010194 -.15796614   -.2560501     .0247612  .29141963
1990  -.6228927  -.1756656  .06518078   .09402847    .10807419  .13970327
1991   .8834122   .6456485  -.4784899   -.3973651  -.012972832  -.7007768
1992   3.177523  2.8696516  .45812654    .2824707  -.027316093  -.6049224
1993   .9952512  -.6302409 -.34815645   -.6428354    .09747791 -.14088756
1994 -1.6830876  -.7722335  -.1210618    .3095286   -.05698776   .3404654
1995   .5467298  .59251714  .10209417    .4382772   -.08039331   .7159832
1996  2.0610332  2.3005147  -.3310671   .22561646   -.06083012   .7285892
1997 -2.2396195  -1.313446    .485805  -.04075527  -.007090092 .022037745
1998 -.04266119  .59297943  .17318916   .11773682   .034263134   .2918048
1999  -.7705345  -.5972691   .2707138    .3060293  -.065504074  -.3378398
2000 -.24594712  -1.568033   .1075697   -.4287343  -.018335342 -.16774917
2001 -1.9787233 -.02099192  -.4617829  -.18886852   .009590626  .51992583
2002   .6309826  .27881455  .18304157   -.3131309  -.003203869  -.2383342
2003   .1474272 -1.0245726 -1.4184122   -.6845551  -.009723663  .21169543
2004  .28387487  -.4557884  -.1893649 .0006072521  -.008559704   .1674969
2005 -2.1152122 -1.3046148   .7638936     .437777 -.0017728806  .22368503
2006  -2.541169 -2.1889184  -.4475203   -.3767607  .0019965172 -.13569331
2007  1.2422656  1.1198527 -.04471898   -.1028788   .002766609 -.05322909
2008 -.28497553 -2.1104822 -.16419554   -.8259983  .0022859573 .026313305
2009  1.0710404   2.011527  -.8857934   -.7744827   .025505066  -1.139676
end

------------------ copy up to and including the previous line ------------------

[Devra Golbe]

Mario,

When I plot just the first graph of your 17, I don't see something wonderful. Maybe it's my mistake. The keys and legends overlap in a long unreadable line at the top. Try the code below. It may not be exactly what you want, but it's readable.

  twoway (tsline lp, lpattern(solid) lcolor(navy) lw(medthick) yaxis(1)  ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", axis(1))) (tsline  lpr, lpattern(dash) lcolor(black) lw(medthick yaxis(1))) (tsline pri,lpattern(dash_dot) yaxis(2) ) (tsline gri, lpattern(shortdash) yaxis(2) ) (tsline pec ,lpattern(longdash) yaxis(2)) (tsline gec , lpattern(dash_dot_dot) yaxis(2) ytitle("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" , axis(2)) ) if inrange(year,1970,2010) , graphr(c(white)) ///
 legend(order(1 "Growth rate of labor productivity" 2 "WHATEVER EVER LONG LONG TITLE GOES HERE" 3 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 4 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 5 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE" 6 "WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE")  size(4) ring(0) pos(1)  region(lcolor(none))) ///
 title("WHATEVER EVER GOES HERE", size(medsmall)) xsize(4) ysize(1)  xlabel(1970(5)2010)

I just copied the your code for the first graph and removed the col(6) just before size(4) ring(0) (as well as the nodraw and name.)

It might be easier to figure out what's happening if your long legends amd titles were not all so similar, if not identical. It would also help if you used more line breaks to make the code itself more readable.

[Nick Cox]

Why be surprised at the result? graph combine tries to do exactly what you say.

Some graphs can stand reduction in size, but not yours. Each individual graph already has absurdly long titles. I agree with Devra Golbe

There is no intelligence inside graph combine to act as a graph editor and remove repeated information, still less to make design choices to improve on your code. Shrinking text is useless if the text becomes unreadable.

Further, there isn't a way to rescue your design, assuming that what you really want is 17 graphs all broadly like the first. .

I am not an economist, but your data look like economic data and perhaps the problem you're moving towards is something like showing graphs for most or all of the regions of Italy. If so, the graph that work best may possibly be a 2 x 2 composite that shows about 4 or 5 regions in each panel, with direct labelling.

On the spaghetti problem, see for example

SJ-21-2 gr0087 . . Front-and-back plots to ease spaghetti and paella problems
(help fabplot if installed) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N. J. Cox
Q2/21 SJ 21(2):539--554
explores front-and-back plots, in which each subset of data
is shown separately with the other subsets as backdrop

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf...6867X211025838

SJ-19-4 gr0080 . . . . . . Some simple devices to ease the spaghetti problem
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N. J. Cox
Q4/19 SJ 19(4):989--1008 (no commands)
gives guidance on avoiding the spaghetti problem in graphics
(where multiple time series or other functional traces show
mostly a tangled mess)

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf...36867X19893641

In case it helps, here is a way to plot your data example. See also

SJ-20-4 gr0085 . The by() option of graph can work better than graph combine
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N. J. Cox
4/20 SJ 20(4):1016--1027 (no commands)
describes whether to use the by() option of graph or
graph combine for paneled figures

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf...36867X20976341

There is scope for longer and more informative subtitles.

* Example generated by -dataex-. For more info, type help dataex
clear
input float(year pri gri pec gec lpr lp)
1970 -.11020923   1.122472 -1.6690977    -.609033  .0019841194  .28916454
1971 -.11784625 -1.4437325  -.6124067  -1.0307827    .01531744 -.18896055
1972  -.7309446  -.9740481   .4134553   -.3323314     .0065732 -.08211374
1973  -3.411802  -2.350223 -1.4371306   -.6980138   .001730442 -.17750692
1974   .6505284   .6891103    1.58546   1.1790892   .032778263 -.05131817
1975  -.5586438  1.0655098  -.6442625   -.1395919    .04823589  -.7042222
1976  4.4099493   2.783047   1.224238    .7382225  -.023154736 -1.0049963
1977  -.3375759   .3593845  .04653448   .40331775   -.02530527   .4274552
1978   .1781428   .2449851  -.4878092   -.2399677    .01596117 -.01406598
1979  1.0419207    .384033  1.2527897    .5596663  .0022716522 .036265373
1980   .9817587  1.5234034   .4267486    .5921825   .014349937  -.3305197
1981   .3842666 -.04288566  -.0588057  -.32790565    .04069948  -.5351281
1982   .3166945 -.17985135   .7687415    .8153216  -.012685776  -.3424797
1983   2.773745   2.571451   .9366226   1.1103046  -.005513668  .11159432
1984   .8404977  .30912805   .9496725    .8827789   -.01543522 -.12059069
1985    .723146   .8237398  .27580595   .59342194   .010739803   .3617719
1986  2.2070675  1.6060398  1.0589557    .9092412   -.01013136    -.46076
1987 -2.2916596 -1.3056936   -.185843  -.19152117  -.032797813  .27034593
1988 -1.9010205 -2.7576854 -1.1911068   -1.388949   .009019375  -.3210269
1989 -.52814835  -.7010194 -.15796614   -.2560501     .0247612  .29141963
1990  -.6228927  -.1756656  .06518078   .09402847    .10807419  .13970327
1991   .8834122   .6456485  -.4784899   -.3973651  -.012972832  -.7007768
1992   3.177523  2.8696516  .45812654    .2824707  -.027316093  -.6049224
1993   .9952512  -.6302409 -.34815645   -.6428354    .09747791 -.14088756
1994 -1.6830876  -.7722335  -.1210618    .3095286   -.05698776   .3404654
1995   .5467298  .59251714  .10209417    .4382772   -.08039331   .7159832
1996  2.0610332  2.3005147  -.3310671   .22561646   -.06083012   .7285892
1997 -2.2396195  -1.313446    .485805  -.04075527  -.007090092 .022037745
1998 -.04266119  .59297943  .17318916   .11773682   .034263134   .2918048
1999  -.7705345  -.5972691   .2707138    .3060293  -.065504074  -.3378398
2000 -.24594712  -1.568033   .1075697   -.4287343  -.018335342 -.16774917
2001 -1.9787233 -.02099192  -.4617829  -.18886852   .009590626  .51992583
2002   .6309826  .27881455  .18304157   -.3131309  -.003203869  -.2383342
2003   .1474272 -1.0245726 -1.4184122   -.6845551  -.009723663  .21169543
2004  .28387487  -.4557884  -.1893649 .0006072521  -.008559704   .1674969
2005 -2.1152122 -1.3046148   .7638936     .437777 -.0017728806  .22368503
2006  -2.541169 -2.1889184  -.4475203   -.3767607  .0019965172 -.13569331
2007  1.2422656  1.1198527 -.04471898   -.1028788   .002766609 -.05322909
2008 -.28497553 -2.1104822 -.16419554   -.8259983  .0022859573 .026313305
2009  1.0710404   2.011527  -.8857934   -.7744827   .025505066  -1.139676
end

capture frame drop sandbox 

frame put *, into(sandbox) 

frame sandbox { 
    rename (pri-lp) (Y=)
    reshape long Y, i(year) j(WHICH) string 
    label def which 1 pri 2 gri 3 pec 4 gec 5 lpr 6 lp
    encode WHICH, label(which) gen(which)
    line Y year, by(which, yrescale note("")) ytitle("") xtitle("") scheme(stcolor)
}

[Mario Ferri]

Thank you both for the contributions. Indeed, I am trying to plot six time series lines together for Italian region macrodata to see their evolution over time and identify any patterns with the second y. I would be grateful if you could help me modify the code as follows

Based on the code recommended by Devra Golbe in #2 and given that four time series (pri, gri, pec, and gec) are common for all plots and only two time series change in each plot, here in the example, for the first subplot lp and lpr (in total 17 subplots), I had the thought that maybe they could be reported at the bottom right with their labels and line pattern, while the two variables that are different can be reported generally as objective and predicted, one-step, respectively, only by common color and line pattern. From the title of each subplot, one can easily understand what it refers to. Also, for the second y, instead of a title for the second y in each subplot, a generic title should be given to the second as "percentage deviation" when all the plots are combined.This also reduces the information and makes it easier to read.
Any other solution is acceptable.


I hope it is clear.

Thank you again

Mario

[Nick Cox]

Sorry, but I can't absorb what you want from this lengthy word description. If you can show just one of your graphs, you'll be most of the way in working out how far a portfolio of 17 such graphs could work well.