Exporting Graphs for use in InDesign

[Bo Hanfgarn Eriksen]

Dear STATA-listers
I have a challenge when I export any graph as pdf or eps.

The context is that my team and I publish (as in printing them) an annual statistical review for each of the 22 municipalities in our region. That requires that we produce the same graph in 22 different versions for multiple graphs (in total more than 1.000 graphs are required).

Our problem is that we cannot get rid of the background layer when we export the graphs. It works within Stata by just adding the option "graphregion(fcolor(none))". Of course that is not visible to the eye so we can check it with, say "graphregion(fcolor(red%10))" which adds a transparent red background.

The reason why we need to get rid of the background is that we use the graphs in InDesign where we do not want the graphs to collide with say text or other objects.


When a graph is exported "graph export "X:\...\Graph.pdf", as(pdf) name("Graph") replace, the background is not removed.


Does anyone know whether this issue is fixable?


It is possible to remove the background manually in e.g. Adobe Illustrator but that would be very time consuming, and we are better off using excel where backgrounds can be removed.

Best regard

[Bo Hanfgarn Eriksen]

Dear STATA-listers

Stata Tech Support suggests using svg as the image format . This format has a -bgfill()- option that allows you to ignore the background fill color:

Example:

line mpg weight, graphregion(fcolor(none)) plotregion(fcolor(none)) graphregion(color(none)) plotregion(color(none))
graph export Graph.svg, bgfill(off)

We have tested the solution - it works! Our printer informs us that SVG is suitable for printing.

Hence, problem solved.