Software

VennDiagram: a package for the generation of highly-customizable Venn and Euler diagrams in R

Hanbo Chen and Paul C Boutros^*

• * Corresponding author: Paul C Boutros Paul.Boutros@oicr.on.ca

Author Affiliations

Informatics and Biocomputing Platform, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, MaRS Centre, South Tower, 101 College Street, Suite 800, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 0A3, Canada

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BMC Bioinformatics 2011, 12:35 doi:10.1186/1471-2105-12-35

Published: 26 January 2011

Abstract

Background

Visualization of orthogonal (disjoint) or overlapping datasets is a common task in bioinformatics. Few tools exist to automate the generation of extensively-customizable, high-resolution Venn and Euler diagrams in the R statistical environment. To fill this gap we introduce VennDiagram, an R package that enables the automated generation of highly-customizable, high-resolution Venn diagrams with up to four sets and Euler diagrams with up to three sets.

Results

The VennDiagram package offers the user the ability to customize essentially all aspects of the generated diagrams, including font sizes, label styles and locations, and the overall rotation of the diagram. We have implemented scaled Venn and Euler diagrams, which increase graphical accuracy and visual appeal. Diagrams are generated as high-definition TIFF files, simplifying the process of creating publication-quality figures and easing integration with established analysis pipelines.

Conclusions

The VennDiagram package allows the creation of high quality Venn and Euler diagrams in the R statistical environment.