histogram - xline and normal density plot

[Dai Grove-White]

I wish to draw a histogram with a normal density plot and a line indicating the mean value. I am using Stata 18

I have used the following code (to obtain the mean value) and try to draw the normal density plot (dlwg6 is the continuous variable of interest)
summ dlwg6
local a= r(mean)
hist dlwg6, normal gap(5) xline(`a')

however with the above command I get the plot without the xline
But if I omit the normal density option I get the histogram with the xline at the mean value - it seems I can have one but not both!

[Nick Cox]

I can't see your dlwg6 so let's discuss a reproducible example -- and on the way cut out the middle macro.

sysuse auto, clear 
summ mpg 
hist mpg, normal gap(5) xline(`r(mean)')

I have two guesses at what's biting you. I will hold one guess and try the simpler guess first. Your added line may be obscured by the tallest histogram bar. It's supposed to be a feature of Stata's added lines that they aren't placed on top of any data element. (Ways of getting the opposite will be discussed in a Stata Journal Tipunder development.)

[Dai Grove-White]

Thanks Nick
It worked perfectly - I think it may have been cutting out the middle macro that sorted it - the line was not hidden by the tallest bar