save a pandas.Series histogram plot to file

Question

In ipython Notebook, first create a pandas Series object, then by calling the instance method .hist(), the browser displays the figure.

I am wondering how to save this figure to a file (I mean not by right click and save as, but the commands needed in the script).

Answer 1

Use the Figure.savefig() method, like so:

ax = s.hist()  # s is an instance of Series
fig = ax.get_figure()
fig.savefig('/path/to/figure.pdf')

It doesn't have to end in pdf, there are many options. Check out the documentation.

Alternatively, you can use the pyplot interface and just call the savefig as a function to save the most recently created figure:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
s.hist()
plt.savefig('path/to/figure.pdf')  # saves the current figure