Grouped Box Chart Improvements in Origin 2025b

A Grouped Box Chart displays box plots for multiple categories grouped by one or more classification factors. In Origin 2025b we have introduced several enhancements to this graph template, including:

1. Separate Multiple Variables into Layers/Graphs

2. Split the box chart into Panels/Graphs based on grouping factor(s)

3.  Different coloring schemes within groups or between groups

4. Key statistical values (e.g., mean, median, sample size) can now be included as axis tick labels

In this blog, we will demonstrate how to use each of these new features in the Grouped Box Chart through a step-by-step example. Please first download the project file with the data and follow the steps. A full video demonstrating all the steps and operations is included at the end of this blog post.

Separate multiple variables into Layers/Graphs

In previous versions of Origin, multiple variables in a Grouped Box Chart were displayed as adjacent boxes within a single graph layer. In Origin 2025b, we’ve added support for plotting each variable in separate layers or in separate graph windows:

1. Open the project. Activate workbook Book1.
2. Select Col(D) (BP_Before) and Col(E) (BP_After) and select from menu Plot: Categorical: Grouped Box Charts – Indexed Data.
3. Set Group Plots by to Col(B) (Hospital).
4. Set Multiple Data to Separate Layers on Same Graph. 
5. Check the box Share Y. 
6. Click OK.

The two variables, BP_Before and BP_After, are plotted in separate layers with a shared Y axis.

Note:

• The graph is output as embedded graph in worksheet for better organization and visualization. You can double click the graph to open the Graph window for further customization and export.
• Mini toolbar is also added when clicking on graph to edit, change size, arrangement, send graphs to Word, PPT and Print.
• Multiple variations of the Grouped Box Chart—such as Grouped Column Scatter, Grouped Interval Plot, Grouped Violin, Grouped Mean Bar are also listed from the Plot menu for quick access. Or you can open the dialog from any of the menu and choose your preferred variations from the Graph Theme dropdown list in the dialog.

1. Click the green lock icon at the top-left corner of the report sheet and select Change Parameters… to reopen the dialog.
2. Change Multiple Data to Separate Graphs.
3. Click OK.

The two variables, BP_Before and BP_After, are plotted in separate Graphs. 

Split the box chart into Panels/Graphs based on a grouping factor

If the data contains additional factor column(s), they can be used to split the plot into multiple panels or graphs.

1.  Click the green lock icon at the top-left corner of the report sheet and select Change Parameters… to reopen the dialog.
2. Change Multiple Data back to Separate Layers on Same Graph.
3. Check the box Split Panels by and set it to Col(C) (AgeGroup).
4. Set Color Increment to Between Subgroup.
5. Click OK to apply the changes. 

A single graph with four panels is created, where each panel represents one of the two variables BP_Before or BP_After across the two age groups (Under 50 and 50+). Colors are used to differentiate between hospitals.

 

1. Click the green lock icon at the top-left corner of the report sheet and select Change Parameters… to reopen the dialog.
2. Uncheck the box Split Panels by.
3. Check the box Split Pages by and set it to Col(C).
4. Click the button to the right of Additional Info in Tick Labels, and select Mean and Std.dev,
5. Click OK.

Two graphs are generated, one for each age group. The mean and standard deviation for each box are displayed as tick labels along the bottom axis.

Demonstration video: