Command-Line Interface (CLI)

LabPlot can be run from the command line for automation, batch processing, and integration with CI/CD pipelines. This enables headless operation without the GUI, making it ideal for scripting and server environments.

Command-Line Parameters

Input/Output Options

--input <file>: Input data file (CSV, HDF5, FITS, etc.) or project file (.lml). Can also be provided as a positional argument.

--output <file>: Output file for export. Auto-exports the first worksheet in the project. File extension determines format unless --format is specified.

--export-worksheet <name>: Export a specific worksheet by name (useful when a project contains multiple worksheets).

--export-all: Export all worksheets in the project. Requires --output-dir to specify where to save files.

--output-dir <directory>: Output directory for multiple exported files (used with --export-all).

Format Control

--format <type>: Output format: pdf, png, svg, or eps. Auto-detected from output file extension if not specified.

--dpi <value>: Output resolution in DPI for raster formats (PNG). Default: 300.

Plot Customization

--template <file>: Apply a plot style template (.labplot_template file). Templates define colors, line styles, axis formatting, grids, legend position, and other styling. When used with CSV import, data curves are automatically added to the template plot.

--title <text>: Set the plot title.

--xlabel <text>: Set the X-axis label.

--ylabel <text>: Set the Y-axis label.

Execution Mode

--no-gui: Run in headless mode without GUI. The application exits after operations complete. Required for automation and scripting.

--no-splash: Disable splash screen (GUI mode only).

--presenter: Start in presenter mode (GUI mode only).

Usage Examples

Quick CSV to Plot Export

Import a CSV file, auto-create a plot, and export to PNG:

labplot data.csv --output plot.png --no-gui

LabPlot automatically uses the first column as X-axis data and creates curves for all remaining columns.

Custom Labels and High-Resolution Export

Export a plot with custom labels and high DPI for publication:

labplot data.csv --output figure1.pdf \
  --title "Temperature vs Time" \
  --xlabel "Time (s)" \
  --ylabel "Temperature (°C)" \
  --dpi 600 --no-gui

Apply Template Styling

Load a style template and apply it to imported data:

labplot data.csv --template ~/publication_style.labplot_template \
  --output plot.pdf --no-gui

Templates allow consistent styling across multiple figures. They can be created in the GUI via Plot Area → New from Template → Save Template.

Batch Export from Project

Export all worksheets from a project file to individual SVG files:

labplot analysis.lml --export-all --output-dir ./exports \
  --format svg --no-gui

This creates one SVG file per worksheet in the ./exports directory.

Export Specific Worksheet

Export a specific worksheet from a project:

labplot project.lml --export-worksheet "Results Plot" \
  --output results.png --dpi 150 --no-gui

Template with Custom Labels

Combine template styling with runtime label customization:

labplot data.csv --template corporate_theme.labplot_template \
  --title "Q4 Sales Data" --xlabel "Month" --ylabel "Revenue ($)" \
  --output report.pdf --no-gui

Automation Workflows

CI/CD Integration

Generate plots during continuous integration or deployment:

#!/bin/bash
# Generate test result plots in CI pipeline

for datafile in test_results/*.csv; do
    basename=$(basename "$datafile" .csv)
    labplot "$datafile" \
      --template ci_template.labplot_template \
      --title "Test Run: $basename" \
      --output "plots/${basename}.png" \
      --no-gui || exit 1
done

Batch Processing

Process multiple data files with consistent styling:

#!/bin/bash
# Process all CSV files in a directory

for file in data/*.csv; do
    output="results/$(basename "$file" .csv).pdf"
    labplot "$file" \
      --template style.labplot_template \
      --output "$output" --dpi 300 --no-gui
    echo "Processed: $file → $output"
done

Automated Reporting

Generate daily reports from sensor data:

#!/bin/bash
# Daily temperature monitoring report

DATE=$(date +%Y-%m-%d)

labplot "sensor_data_${DATE}.csv" \
  --title "Temperature Monitoring - ${DATE}" \
  --xlabel "Time (hours)" \
  --ylabel "Temperature (°C)" \
  --template monitoring_template.labplot_template \
  --output "reports/temp_${DATE}.pdf" \
  --dpi 300 --no-gui

Exit Codes

LabPlot returns specific exit codes for scripting integration:

Code	Meaning
0	Success
1	General error
2	Invalid command-line argument
3	File not found
4	Export failed
5	Project load failed
6	Template application failed
8	Worksheet not found

Example script with error handling:

#!/bin/bash

labplot data.csv --output plot.png --no-gui
EXIT_CODE=$?

if [ $EXIT_CODE -eq 0 ]; then
    echo "Success!"
elif [ $EXIT_CODE -eq 3 ]; then
    echo "Error: Input file not found"
elif [ $EXIT_CODE -eq 4 ]; then
    echo "Error: Export failed"
else
    echo "Error: Operation failed with code $EXIT_CODE"
fi

exit $EXIT_CODE

File Formats

Supported Input Formats

Data files: CSV, TSV, HDF5, NetCDF, FITS, ROOT, Apache Arrow/Parquet, ORC, Matlab MAT, Excel (XLSX), JSON, and more
Project files: .lml (LabPlot native format)

Supported Output Formats

PDF: Vector format, ideal for publications and printing
SVG: Vector format, editable in Inkscape/Illustrator
PNG: Raster format with transparency support
EPS: Not directly supported; use PDF or SVG instead

Notes and Limitations

Auto-plot behavior: When importing CSV files, LabPlot automatically creates a plot using the first column as X-axis and all remaining columns as Y-axis curves.
Template compatibility: When using --template, the auto-plot is skipped and data curves are added directly to the template plot.
Headless requirement: The --no-gui flag is required when using --output, --export-worksheet, or --export-all for automation scenarios.
Project structure: LabPlot projects can contain multiple worksheets, spreadsheets, and matrices. Use --export-worksheet or --export-all to control which worksheets are exported.