Inspect Simulation Data
R2026bYou can use the Simulation Data Inspector to view and inspect signals from simulations or imported data. The Simulation Data Inspector provides a comprehensive view of your data by allowing you to arrange data from multiple simulations and sources on multiple subplots and tabs (since R2026b). You can zoom and pan within plots, use data cursors for close examination of signal values, and replay data to analyze signal relationships.
View Signals
The signal table on the Inspect pane lists all logged signals in rows, organized by simulation run. You can expand or collapse any of the runs to view the signals in a run. For more information on signal grouping, see Configure Simulation Data Inspector.
To select signals you want to plot, use the check boxes next to the signals in the table. When the signal you want to plot is easier to find in the model, and you have logged data using signal logging, you can click the logging badge for the signal to plot it in the Simulation Data Inspector.
When you simulate a model, the Simulation Data Inspector automatically moves prior runs into the archive and updates the plots across all tabs to display the signals from the latest run.
You can also use Browse Mode to quickly view all the signals in a run on time plots. For more information, see Visualize Many Logged Signals.
View Signals on Multiple Plots in a Single Tab
To view groups of signals on different subplots, use subplot layouts. For example, you can plot the same signal from different simulation runs on one subplot or view signals that have a similar range of values.
For more information on working with plots, see Create Plots Using Simulation Data Inspector.
Zoom, Pan, and Resize Plots
To closely inspect signals in a larger viewing area, maximize a subplot or expand the view to full screen.
— To expand the active subplot to occupy the entire
graphical viewing area, select Maximize .
— To view your entire layout using your whole screen, select Full Screen.
The Simulation Data Inspector automatically collapses the navigation pane so the view
of the layout is as large as possible.
You can zoom and pan within subplots that use a time plot visualization to inspect signal values and the relationships between signals. Access the zoom and pan controls from the toolbar above the plots or from the subplot menu.
To choose the behavior of the zoom tool, select the action from the drop-down menu.
— To zoom in on a selected area in the plot, select
Zoom In. While you have Zoom In selected,
the Simulation Data Inspector adapts the zoom action it performs based on the area of
the plot you select. To zoom only in the y dimension, drag
vertically. To zoom only in the t dimension, drag horizontally. You
can also click and drag to zoom in on a rectangular region.
To zoom in or out a fixed amount on both axes, click the plot area. You can also use the mouse wheel to adjust the zoom level.
— To zoom out a fixed amount from the center of the
subplot when you click inside the graphical viewing area, select Zoom
Out. You can also use Zoom Out to undo a previous
Zoom In operation.
— To make all mouse actions zoom on only the
t-axis, select Zoom in Time. To zoom in time
a fixed amount, click the subplot. To select a portion of the plot as the limits for
the t-axis, click and drag the graphical viewing area. Scrolling
with the mouse wheel zooms in and out on the t-axis.
— To make all mouse actions zoom on only the
y-axis, select Zoom in Y. To zoom in
y a fixed amount, click the subplot. To select a portion of the
plot as the limits for the y-axis, click and drag. Scrolling with
the mouse wheel zooms in and out on the y-axis.
To scale the axes, select the Fit to view.
— To scale both the y and
t-axes to accommodate your plotted data, select Fit to
View.
— To scale only the t-axis to fit
your data, select Fit to View in Time.
— To scale only the y-axis to fit
your data, select Fit to View in Y.
To pan or select a plotted signal, select Pan and select 
. Pan by clicking anywhere on the plot and dragging the
mouse.
Linked Subplots
Subplots are linked by default across all tabs. Linked plots have a synchronized response when you perform actions that change the time axis, including:
Any pan operation involving the t-axis
Any zoom operation involving the t-axis
Any fit to view operation involving the t-axis
Any adjustment to the t-axis limits
To inspect data independently in a subplot, you can unlink the subplot.
Select the subplot you want to unlink.
Click the Visualization Settings button in the upper right of the viewing area.
In the Limits section, clear the Link plot option. The broken link symbol
appears on the unlinked subplot.
Inspect Simulation Data Using Cursors
In the Simulation Data Inspector, you can inspect signals using data cursors. You can use one or two cursors to inspect your data. To add two cursors, select Two Cursors from the Show/hide data cursors drop-down list.
With two cursors, three time values are displayed: the times that corresponded to each cursor position and the time spanned by the cursors. Position cursors in one of these ways:
Drag the cursor to a point of interest.
Move the data cursor from sample to sample using the arrow keys.
Specify a specific point in time by clicking the label and entering the desired time value.
To move two cursors simultaneously, keeping the same distance between them, click the span label and drag. You can also set the span by typing the desired distance between the cursors into the label field.
If the signal does not have a sample at the point of interest, the Simulation Data Inspector interpolates the signal value for the indicated time. An asterisk in the data cursor label indicates that the displayed value is interpolated. For information regarding interpolation methods, see Interpolation.
When you have finished inspecting the data, click Show/hide data cursors
to remove the cursors from the viewing area.
Replay Data
To inspect signal value changes and relationships between signals, you can replay data
in the Simulation Data Inspector. Replaying data in the Simulation Data Inspector has no
effect on any models or simulations. To replay data, first show the replay controls by
clicking Show/hide replay controls 
. Then, press Replay 
.
The Simulation Data Inspector synchronously sweeps a cursor displaying the signal value across all subplots in the view across all tabs. By default, data replays at a rate of one second per second, which means that replaying one second of data takes one second of clock time. You can adjust the replay speed using the arrows on either side of the label or by clicking the label to type the desired speed. To inspect signal values sample by sample, pause the replay and use the step forward and step backward buttons. For a detailed example, see Replay Data in the Simulation Data Inspector.
