Programmer's Reference > Sending data to DPlot from another application

Macro commands may be used either in macros or by sending the commands to DPlot via dynamic data exchange (DDE). Some commands are valid only in macros (noted by Macros Only). Commands sent to DPlot via DDE must be enclosed by square brackets [ ]. Macro commands should not include the brackets.

Command parameters shown in the descriptions below are placeholders for the actual values. Command parameters are either numeric values, equations that evaluate to numbers, or character strings. Character string parameters are always bound by double quotation marks. Equations must be preceded by an equals sign (=).

The pipe symbol (|) in the command syntax indicates that a parameter is optional, and should not be included in your macro unless otherwise noted.

All indices into arrays are 1-based, e.g. Curve1=1 refers to the first curve in a plot.

A 0x prefix for numbers in the descriptions below indicates hexadecimal notation; e.g. 0x0010 = 16.

JR/Viewer indicates that the command is supported by DPlot Jr or DPlot Viewer.
JR/Viewer indicates that the command is NOT supported by DPlot Jr or DPlot Viewer.

[XYZ(n,x1,y1,z1,x2,y2,z2,…,xn,yn,zn)]

JR Viewer

Adds n x,y,z triplets to a contour plot.

The maximum command string length that DPlot will process is 32768 characters, including the command itself and all delimiters and spaces. For this reason you should limit the number of points sent with XYZ to a maximum of about 1000.

NOTE: The maximum command string length for all tested versions of Microsoft Excel with DDEExecute is only 256 characters, which presents a few problems for this command. As an alternative, see the XYZEx command, which allows you to instruct DPlot as to whether the data should be triangulated and plotted or not.

You should not send a long series of XYZ commands with individual points. Instead, group the points into one XYZ command or, if that is not possible, use XYZEx to postpone generating a mesh until all points are sent.

If an error in the triangulation occurs (for example if all points are collinear) an error message is NOT generated. DPlot in this case assumes that one or more XYZ commands which would correct the situation will follow the current command.

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