How to set default node shape to box instead of oval?

Question

I have some long labels in my graph written in dot language. As a result, (the default shape being oval) I have some not very practical thin really long oval in my graph which take much space.

I would like to set the default shape to box for all my nodes, unless specified otherwise.

I have seen the node notation, but it requires to list any node impacted by the styles.

Is it possible in dot language ?

score 58 · Accepted Answer · answered Oct 24 '14 at 18:14

58

using the node notation without listing the impacted nodes make the node shape style applied by default.

digraph ExampleGraph
{
    node [shape="box"];

    a -> b -> c -> d;
}

answered Oct 24 '14 at 18:14

Stephane Rolland

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score 6 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 20 '16 at 07:35

6

Btw, if you only need to change part of the nodes, you can use a subgraph like this:

digraph ExampleGraph
{
  {
    // only change a and d
    node [shape="box"]; a; d;
  }
    a -> b -> c -> d;
}

answered Jun 20 '16 at 07:35

cn123h

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Thanks. This is what I was looking for – hbobenicio Apr 19 '17 at 14:03
2

This question asks for the **default** node shape, not how to change the shape of a specific node. – user5365075 Jan 04 '18 at 14:47

score 4 · Answer 3 · answered Jan 19 '18 at 21:59

4

Mind that you also can specify default node shape (or any other attribute) on the dot tool command line using -N switch, e.g.:

dot -Nshape=box graph.dot -Tpng -o graph.png

answered Jan 19 '18 at 21:59

pfalcon

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How to set default node shape to box instead of oval?

3 Answers3