TikZ style attribute for adding default node text?

Question

Is there a TikZ style attribute for adding default text to a node? For instance, I want to be able to do something like the following:

\begin{tikzpicture}[%
  stuff/.style={%
    draw,
    text=Bla bla
  },
]

\node at (0,0) [stuff] {};
\node at (0,1) [stuff] {};
\node at (0,2) [stuff] {};
\node at (0,3) [stuff] {};
\end{tikzpicture}

to produce a picture containing 4 nodes, each with the text "Bla bla". I want to be able to create nodes with the same text without having to add it manually.

I once looking into something like that. I can't remember the final outcome just now, but it wasn't very positive. This requires some serious hacking of the TikZ internals. — Martin Scharrer, Nov 13 '11 at 19:53
As a workaround, you could perhaps use a loop to make the nodes, iterating over coordinates. — Torbjørn T., Nov 13 '11 at 20:02
@TorbjørnT.: Yes, that would be the most reasonable solution in most instances, but I've encountered numerous situations where that's not possible because the nodes are not placed in areas where a \for can be used. — gablin, Nov 13 '11 at 20:53
For yet another alternative solution see Default node text with fill color — percusse, Mar 22 '12 at 11:45

score 23 · Accepted Answer · answered Nov 13 '11 at 20:11

23

It's not exactly what it was designed for, but you can add fixed text to the font parameter:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{tikz}
\begin{document}
 \begin{tikzpicture}[%
  stuff/.style={%
    draw,
    font={A}}
]

\node at (0,0) [stuff] {};
\node at (0,1) [stuff] {};
\node at (0,2) [stuff] {};
\node at (0,3) [stuff] {};
\end{tikzpicture}

\end{document}

output of code

answered Nov 13 '11 at 20:11

Alan Munn

218,180

9

If there were a "sneaky" badge, this would be my candidate for it. – Andrew Stacey Nov 13 '11 at 21:53
Also see tikzstyle default node text with fill color which provides a detailed explanation of the "hooks" available. – Peter Grill Mar 22 '12 at 15:17
Do you try align=right,font={$x+2$\\very bad idea }? – Alain Matthes Mar 22 '12 at 22:48
@Altermundus Well, it's already a trick, so expecting to put a \ inside is asking for trouble. :) – Alan Munn Mar 23 '12 at 00:34

score 15 · Answer 2 · answered Nov 26 '14 at 08:47

15

TikZ 3.0 introduced node contents option which replaces {...}

enter image description here

And another example to easily test it

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{tikz}
\begin{document}
 \begin{tikzpicture}[%
  stuff/.style={%
    draw,
    node contents={A}}
]

\node at (0,0) [stuff];
\node at (0,1) [stuff];
\node at (0,2) [stuff];
\node at (0,3) [stuff, node contents={B}];
\end{tikzpicture}

\end{document}

enter image description here

answered Nov 26 '14 at 08:47

Ignasi

136,588

1

The only inconvenience seems to be this way you can't write \node[stuff] at (0,0); (i.e. you really need to place the style declaration at the end). – glopes Jan 10 '16 at 12:22
1

@glopes: You're right, but if you prefer to indicate coordinates at the end, you can use option at=: \node[stuff, at={(0,0)}]; – Ignasi Jan 10 '16 at 17:29

TikZ style attribute for adding default node text?

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