matplotlib plotting is not working in google colab

Question

I wanted to use matplotlib in colab but it didn't work. As this link says I tried both %matplotlib inline and %matplotlib notebook but they both didn't work. But can I ask why this link plots are working well? It seems it's just using normal matplotlib with %matplotlib inline. I want to know the difference.

Answer 1

According to colab docs:

In the IPython notebook, you also have the option of embedding graphics directly in the notebook, with two possible options:

%matplotlib notebook will lead to interactive plots embedded within the notebook.

%matplotlib inline will lead to static images of your plot embedded in the notebook.

Answer 2

Plotting from an IPython notebook

The IPython notebook is a browser-based interactive data analysis tool that can combine narrative, code, graphics, HTML elements, and much more into a single executable document.

Plotting interactively within an IPython notebook can be done with the %matplotlib command, and works in a similar way to the IPython shell. In the IPython notebook, you also have the option of embedding graphics directly in the notebook, with two possible options:

• %matplotlib notebook will lead to interactive plots embedded within the notebook

• %matplotlib inline will lead to static images of your plot embedded in the notebook

Answer 3

Selecting a GPU from the hardware accelaration tab solved the issue for me.

Go into Edit > Notebook Settings > Select GPU in the drop-down.