PGF/TikZ conflict with French Babel (Beamer)

Question

I am trying to include a TikZ figure in a French-language presentation. The Beamer script, without specifying the language, is as follows:

\documentclass{beamer}
\usetheme[progressbar=frametitle]{metropolis}
\setbeamertemplate{frame numbering}[fraction]
\useoutertheme{metropolis}
\useinnertheme{metropolis}
\usefonttheme[onlymath]{serif}
\usecolortheme{spruce}
\setbeamercolor{background canvas}{bg=white}
%\usepackage[french]{babel}
\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}
\usepackage{ragged2e,mathtools,tikz,amsfonts}
\addtobeamertemplate{block begin}{}{\justifying}
\metroset{block=fill}
\useinnertheme{tcolorbox}
\justifying
\title{Probabilité}
\subtitle{Lois Continues}
\date[]{}
\usepackage{amsmath} 
\usepackage{pgfplots} 
\usepackage[outline]{contour} 
\contourlength{1.2pt}
\tikzset{>=latex} 
\usetikzlibrary{positioning, calc}
\pgfmathdeclarefunction{gauss}{3}{%
  \pgfmathparse{1/(#3sqrt(2pi))exp(-((#1-#2)^2)/(2#3^2))}%
}
% to fill an area under function
\usepgfplotslibrary{fillbetween}
\usetikzlibrary{patterns}
\AtEndPreamble{
    \pgfplotsset{compat=1.12}
}
\begin{document}
\begin{frame}{Frame Title}
    \begin{figure}[h]
        \caption{\large Densité de la loi normale $N(\mu, \sigma)$}
        \centering
        \begin{tikzpicture}[scale=1.2]
            \def\N{50}
            \def\B{11}
            \def\Bs{3.0}
            \def\xmax{\B+3.2\Bs}
            \def\ymin{{-0.1gauss(\B,\B,\Bs)}}
            \def\h{0.08*gauss(\B,\B,\Bs)}
        \begin{axis}[
            every axis plot post/.append style={
                mark=none,
                domain={-0.05*(\xmax)}:{1.08*\xmax},
                samples=\N,
                smooth
            },
            xmin={-0.1*(\xmax)}, xmax=\xmax,
            ymin=\ymin, ymax={1.1*gauss(\B,\B,\Bs)},
            axis y line*=left,
            axis x line*=bottom,
            axis line style={draw=none},
            ticks=none,
            every axis x label/.style={
                at={(current axis.right of origin)},
                anchor=north
            },
            width=0.85*\textwidth, 
            height=0.55*\textwidth,
            y=700pt,
            clip=false
        ]

            % PLOTS
            \addplot[blue, thick, name path=B] {gauss(x,\B,\Bs)};

            % FILL
            \path[name path=xaxis]
                (0,0) -- (\pgfkeysvalueof{/pgfplots/xmax},0); 
            \addplot[blue!50] fill between[of=xaxis and B, soft clip={
                domain={\B-3*\Bs}:{\B+3*\Bs}}
            ];
            \addplot[blue!25] fill between[of=xaxis and B, soft clip={
                domain={\B-2*\Bs}:{\B+2*\Bs}}
            ];
            \addplot[blue!10] fill between[of=xaxis and B, soft clip={
                domain={\B-1*\Bs}:{\B+1*\Bs}}
            ];

            % LINES
            \addplot[black, dotted, thick]
                coordinates {({\B-3*\Bs},{1*gauss(\B-3*\Bs,\B,\Bs)}) ({\B-3*\Bs},{-\h})}
                node[below=-3pt, scale=0.8] {\strut$\mu-3\sigma$};
            \addplot[black, dotted, thick]
                coordinates {({\B-2*\Bs},{1*gauss(\B-2*\Bs,\B,\Bs)}) ({\B-2*\Bs},{-\h})}
                node[below=-3pt, scale=0.8] {\strut$\mu-2\sigma$};
            \addplot[black, dotted, thick]
                coordinates {({\B-1*\Bs},{1*gauss(\B-\Bs,\B,\Bs)}) ({\B-1*\Bs},{-\h})}
                node[below=-3pt, scale=0.8] at ({\B-\Bs},{-\h}) {\strut$\mu-\sigma$};
            \addplot[black, dotted, line width=0.7pt]
                coordinates {(\B,{1*gauss(\B,\B,\Bs)}) (\B,{-\h})}
                node[below=-3pt, scale=0.8] {\strut$\mu$};
            \addplot[black, dotted, thick]
                coordinates {({\B+1*\Bs},{1*gauss(\B+\Bs,\B,\Bs)}) ({\B+1*\Bs},{-\h})}
                node[below=-3pt, scale=0.8] at ({\B+\Bs},{-\h}) {\strut$\mu+\sigma$};
            \addplot[black, dotted, thick]
                coordinates {({\B+2*\Bs},{1*gauss(\B+2*\Bs,\B,\Bs)}) ({\B+2*\Bs},{-\h})}
                node[below=-3pt, scale=0.8] at ({\B+2*\Bs},{-\h}) {\strut$\mu+2\sigma$};
            \addplot[black, dotted, thick]
                coordinates {({\B+3*\Bs},{1*gauss(\B+3*\Bs,\B,\Bs)}) ({\B+3*\Bs},{-\h})}
                node[below=-3pt, scale=0.8] at ({\B+3*\Bs},{-\h}) {\strut$\mu+3\sigma$};

        \end{axis}
    \end{tikzpicture}
\end{figure}

\end{frame}
\end{document}

This code as you see works as intended, but once I specify the language by uncommenting the following line:

%\usepackage[french]{babel}

it gives me this error message:

I tried to circumvent the problem by including \shorthandoff{;} after \begin{tikzpicture}, as recommended in this answer, but the problem persists; the figure does not appear. I also tried this answer, but it also doesn't work for me.

Any clue as to how to fix this problem would be appreciated.

In the future, please directly post the non-working code so we don't have to read all the lengthy code to find the place where one needs to uncomment something to recreate the problem. — samcarter_is_at_topanswers.xyz, Dec 13 '23 at 22:27
@samcarter_is_at_topanswers.xyz thank you for the comment. I usually paste the whole code as I don't know where exactly the problem is. — Saïd Maanan, Dec 13 '23 at 22:54
Most problems can be narrowed down rather easily: remove parts of the code, check if the problem is still there, remove other parts etc. However what I meant to say: it would be much more convenient if you had posted your code with the \usepackage[french]{babel} uncommented so one does not need to search for it just to remove the % sign. This way one could directly reproduce your problem. — samcarter_is_at_topanswers.xyz, Dec 13 '23 at 22:59

samcarter_is_at_topanswers.xyz · Accepted Answer · 2024-02-01T12:43:25.327

You can avoid the problem by using the babel tikz library and a fragile frame:

\documentclass{beamer}
\usetheme[progressbar=frametitle]{moloch}% modern fork of the metropolis theme
\setbeamertemplate{page number in head/foot}[totalframenumber]
\usefonttheme[onlymath]{serif}
\usecolortheme{spruce}
\setbeamercolor{background canvas}{bg=white}
\usepackage[french]{babel}
\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}
\usepackage{ragged2e,mathtools,tikz,
%amsfonts
}
\addtobeamertemplate{block begin}{}{\justifying}
\useinnertheme{tcolorbox}
\justifying
\title{Probabilité}
\subtitle{Lois Continues}
\date[]{}
\usepackage{amsmath} 
\usepackage{pgfplots} 
\usepackage[outline]{contour} 
\contourlength{1.2pt}
\tikzset{>=latex} 
\usetikzlibrary{positioning, calc}
\pgfmathdeclarefunction{gauss}{3}{%
  \pgfmathparse{1/(#3sqrt(2pi))exp(-((#1-#2)^2)/(2#3^2))}%
}
% to fill an area under function
\usepgfplotslibrary{fillbetween}
\usetikzlibrary{patterns}
\AtEndPreamble{
    \pgfplotsset{compat=1.12}
}
\usetikzlibrary{babel}
\begin{document}
\begin{frame}[fragile]
\frametitle{Frame Title}
    \begin{figure}%[h]
        \caption{\large Densité de la loi normale $N(\mu, \sigma)$}
        \centering
        \begin{tikzpicture}[scale=1.2]
            \def\N{50}
            \def\B{11}
            \def\Bs{3.0}
            \def\xmax{\B+3.2\Bs}
            \def\ymin{{-0.1gauss(\B,\B,\Bs)}}
            \def\h{0.08*gauss(\B,\B,\Bs)}
        \begin{axis}[
            every axis plot post/.append style={
                mark=none,
                domain={-0.05*(\xmax)}:{1.08*\xmax},
                samples=\N,
                smooth
            },
            xmin={-0.1*(\xmax)}, xmax=\xmax,
            ymin=\ymin, ymax={1.1*gauss(\B,\B,\Bs)},
            axis y line*=left,
            axis x line*=bottom,
            axis line style={draw=none},
            ticks=none,
            every axis x label/.style={
                at={(current axis.right of origin)},
                anchor=north
            },
            width=0.85*\textwidth, 
            height=0.55*\textwidth,
            y=700pt,
            clip=false
        ]

            % PLOTS
            \addplot[blue, thick, name path=B] {gauss(x,\B,\Bs)};

            % FILL
            \path[name path=xaxis]
                (0,0) -- (\pgfkeysvalueof{/pgfplots/xmax},0); 
            \addplot[blue!50] fill between[of=xaxis and B, soft clip={
                domain={\B-3*\Bs}:{\B+3*\Bs}}
            ];
            \addplot[blue!25] fill between[of=xaxis and B, soft clip={
                domain={\B-2*\Bs}:{\B+2*\Bs}}
            ];
            \addplot[blue!10] fill between[of=xaxis and B, soft clip={
                domain={\B-1*\Bs}:{\B+1*\Bs}}
            ];

            % LINES
            \addplot[black, dotted, thick]
                coordinates {({\B-3*\Bs},{1*gauss(\B-3*\Bs,\B,\Bs)}) ({\B-3*\Bs},{-\h})}
                node[below=-3pt, scale=0.8] {\strut$\mu-3\sigma$};
            \addplot[black, dotted, thick]
                coordinates {({\B-2*\Bs},{1*gauss(\B-2*\Bs,\B,\Bs)}) ({\B-2*\Bs},{-\h})}
                node[below=-3pt, scale=0.8] {\strut$\mu-2\sigma$};
            \addplot[black, dotted, thick]
                coordinates {({\B-1*\Bs},{1*gauss(\B-\Bs,\B,\Bs)}) ({\B-1*\Bs},{-\h})}
                node[below=-3pt, scale=0.8] at ({\B-\Bs},{-\h}) {\strut$\mu-\sigma$};
            \addplot[black, dotted, line width=0.7pt]
                coordinates {(\B,{1*gauss(\B,\B,\Bs)}) (\B,{-\h})}
                node[below=-3pt, scale=0.8] {\strut$\mu$};
            \addplot[black, dotted, thick]
                coordinates {({\B+1*\Bs},{1*gauss(\B+\Bs,\B,\Bs)}) ({\B+1*\Bs},{-\h})}
                node[below=-3pt, scale=0.8] at ({\B+\Bs},{-\h}) {\strut$\mu+\sigma$};
            \addplot[black, dotted, thick]
                coordinates {({\B+2*\Bs},{1*gauss(\B+2*\Bs,\B,\Bs)}) ({\B+2*\Bs},{-\h})}
                node[below=-3pt, scale=0.8] at ({\B+2*\Bs},{-\h}) {\strut$\mu+2\sigma$};
            \addplot[black, dotted, thick]
                coordinates {({\B+3*\Bs},{1*gauss(\B+3*\Bs,\B,\Bs)}) ({\B+3*\Bs},{-\h})}
                node[below=-3pt, scale=0.8] at ({\B+3*\Bs},{-\h}) {\strut$\mu+3\sigma$};

        \end{axis}
    \end{tikzpicture}
\end{figure}

\end{frame}
\end{document}

Your answer works. Can I ask you why did you comment out \useoutertheme{metropolis} and \useinnertheme{metropolis}? — Saïd Maanan, Dec 13 '23 at 23:13
@SaïdMaanan You already load the complete metropolis theme, which includes the inner and outer sub-themes. No need to load them again. — samcarter_is_at_topanswers.xyz, Dec 13 '23 at 23:16
@SaïdMaanan Please note that I also commented the amsfonts package, which is not needed, as beamer automatically loads it and I also commented the [h] floating specifier as beamer does not have a floating mechanism — samcarter_is_at_topanswers.xyz, Dec 13 '23 at 23:18

Zarko · Answer 2 · 2023-12-15T22:02:59.317

Edit:

After rewriting your MWE to simpler, much shorter and clear code and adding shorthands=off, to babel options, it works fine.
For filling area below Gauss function is used \closedcycle instruction, which draw closed path and enable simple coloring obtained shape by fill=<color option in the addplot macro:

\documentclass{beamer}
\usetheme[progressbar=frametitle]{metropolis}
\setbeamertemplate{frame numbering}[fraction]
\usefonttheme[onlymath]{serif}
\usecolortheme{spruce}
\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}
\usepackage[shorthands=off, french]{babel}
\usepackage{pgfplots}
\usetikzlibrary{babel}
% function
\pgfmathdeclarefunction{gauss}{3}{%
  \pgfmathparse{1/(#3sqrt(2pi))exp(-((#1-#2)^2)/(2#3^2))}%
}
\newcommand\GH[1]{{gauss(#1,\B,\Bs)}}
%---------------------------------------------------------------%
% make metropolis compatible with pgfplots                    %
\AtEndPreamble{\pgfplotsset{compat=1.18}}
%---------------------------------------------------------------%
\begin{document}
\begin{frame}%[fragile]
\frametitle{Diagram of the Gauss density function}
    \begin{figure}
\caption{Densité de la loi normale $\mathcal{N}(\mu,\sigma)$} % or just $N(\mu,\sigma)$
\centering
    \begin{tikzpicture}[
lbl/.style = {inner sep=2pt, font=\scriptsize, below},
arr/.style = {draw=red, very thin, shorten >=\tl},
                       ]
%
\def\B{11}              % median, $\mu$
\def\Bs{3}              % standard deviation, $\sigma$
%
\def\N{101}             % number of samples
\def\xmax{\B+3.2\Bs}   % width of function domain
\def\tl{-2mm}           % tick length
%
\begin{axis}[
    width=0.85\textwidth, height=0.55\textwidth,
%
    axis lines=none,
%
        xmin=0, xmax={1.2\xmax},
        ymin=0, ymax={1.1gauss(\B,\B,\Bs)},
%
    samples=\N, no marks, 
    clip=false
            ]
% PLOTS
    \scoped[draw=none]
{
\addplot [domain=0:{1.1\xmax},     fill=blue!45] {\GH{x}}  \closedcycle;
\addplot [domain=\B-2\Bs:\B+2\Bs, fill=blue!30] {\GH{x}}  \closedcycle;
\addplot [domain=\B-\Bs:\B+\Bs,     fill=blue!15] {\GH{x}}  \closedcycle;
}
\addplot [domain=0:{1.1*\xmax}, draw=blue, thick] {gauss(x,\B,\Bs)};
\draw[arr]  (\B-3\Bs,\tl)  node[lbl] {$\mu-3\sigma$} -- + (0,0)    -- + (0, \GH{\B-3\Bs});
\draw[arr]  (\B-2\Bs,\tl)  node[lbl] {$\mu-2\sigma$} -- + (0,-\tl) -- + (0, \GH{\B-2\Bs});
\draw[arr]  (\B-\Bs,\tl)    node[lbl] {$\mu-\sigma$}  -- + (0,-\tl) -- + (0, \GH{\B-\Bs});
\draw[arr]  (\B,\tl)        node[lbl] {$\mu$}         -- + (0,-\tl) -- + (0, \GH{\B});
\draw[arr]  (\B+\Bs,\tl)    node[lbl] {$\mu+\sigma$}  -- + (0,-\tl) -- + (0, \GH{\B-\Bs});
\draw[arr]  (\B+2\Bs,\tl)  node[lbl] {$\mu+2\sigma$} -- + (0,-\tl) -- + (0, \GH{\B-2\Bs});
\draw[arr]  (\B+3\Bs,\tl)  node[lbl] {$\mu+3\sigma$} -- + (0,0)    -- + (0, \GH{\B-3\Bs});
                 \end{axis}
    \end{tikzpicture}
    \end{figure}
\end{frame}
\end{document}

Thank you for your answer. – Saïd Maanan Dec 13 '23 at 23:13 — Saïd Maanan, Dec 13 '23 at 23:13

PGF/TikZ conflict with French Babel (Beamer)

2 Answers2