Find unused plot color

Find the first unused default color in a plot or generate a random one.

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Whenever plots are generated inside a loop with the figure put on hold, the normal plot command plots everything in the same color. When a different color is wanted, normally a color-vector needs to be generated.
With this function it is possible to call the color inside the plot command, using
plot(x,y,'color', which_color(gca))

It first uses all the specified colors in the ColorOrder. If all of them are used it generates a random color.

Cite As

Deborah (2026). Find unused plot color (https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/37137-find-unused-plot-color), MATLAB Central File Exchange. Retrieved .

General Information

MATLAB Release Compatibility

  • Compatible with any release

Platform Compatibility

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux
Version Published Release Notes Action
1.1.0.0

Simplified the way the color was determined thanks to Jan's suggestions.

1.0.0.0