Fix: Plotly_chart Kwargs Deprecation Warning

Understanding the st.plotly_chart Deprecation Warning

Hey guys, let's dive into a common hiccup you might encounter when using st.plotly_chart in Streamlit. You may have noticed a deprecation warning related to kwargs, even when you're not explicitly passing any of them. This is what we're going to break down, so stick with me! The goal here is to make sure your Streamlit apps run smoothly without those pesky warnings popping up.

First off, what's st.plotly_chart? It's Streamlit's awesome function for displaying interactive charts created with Plotly. Plotly is a fantastic library for making all sorts of cool visuals, from simple bar charts to complex 3D plots. When you use st.plotly_chart, you're essentially telling Streamlit, "Hey, take this Plotly figure and show it on the page." Pretty straightforward, right?

Now, let's talk about the deprecation warning. It's a friendly nudge from Streamlit, letting you know that a certain way of doing things is on its way out. Specifically, the warning tells you that using variable keyword arguments (kwargs) with st.plotly_chart is being deprecated. This means that in future versions of Streamlit, this method might not work. The warning encourages you to use the config argument instead to specify Plotly configuration options. Think of it as Streamlit saying, "Hey, we're updating how things work, and you should too!"

Why are we seeing this warning?

The root of the problem often lies in how we specify the width or height of the chart. For example, when you use width="content", you're telling Streamlit to size the chart based on its content. This is a super handy feature, but under the hood, there might be some interaction that triggers the kwargs warning, even if you're not intentionally using keyword arguments. It's a bit of a behind-the-scenes thing.

I want you to know that I'm also including all of the solutions that are relevant to this issue in the following paragraphs. I'll make sure to get this warning to be fixed.

Reproducible Code and the Issue

Let's get practical with a code example and show you how to reproduce the warning. Then we'll cover the steps to get rid of it!

Here's a simple, reproducible code snippet that triggers the warning:

import plotly.graph_objects as go
import streamlit as st

fig = go.Figure()
fig.add_trace(go.Barpolar(r=[1], theta=[0], width=[120]))
fig.update_layout(width=500, height=360)

st.plotly_chart(fig, width="content")

In this code:

• We create a basic Plotly figure with a polar bar chart.
• We set the figure's dimensions using fig.update_layout(width=500, height=360).
• We display the figure in Streamlit using st.plotly_chart(fig, width="content"). This is where the warning shows up.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Copy and paste the code into your Streamlit app.
2. Run the app.
3. Check the console or your app's output. You should see the deprecation warning related to kwargs. Boom! You've successfully reproduced the issue.

How to Fix the st.plotly_chart Deprecation Warning

Alright, let's roll up our sleeves and get rid of that warning! Here's how to tackle it, with some different approaches that you can use. The key is to understand how st.plotly_chart and its parameters work.

1. Using the use_container_width Parameter

One of the most straightforward solutions is to use the use_container_width parameter. This parameter, which accepts a boolean value, tells Streamlit whether to make the chart fill the width of its container. This often resolves the warning, and it's super easy to implement.

Here's how to modify the code:

import plotly.graph_objects as go
import streamlit as st

fig = go.Figure()
fig.add_trace(go.Barpolar(r=[1], theta=[0], width=[120]))
fig.update_layout(width=500, height=360)

st.plotly_chart(fig, use_container_width=True)

By setting use_container_width=True, you're telling Streamlit to automatically handle the width of the chart. This often removes the need for the width="content" parameter, avoiding the warning.

2. Adjusting the Figure's Layout

Another approach is to manage the chart's dimensions within the Plotly figure itself. This is done using fig.update_layout(). By explicitly setting the width and height within the layout, you can control the chart's size without relying on Streamlit's width parameter.

Here's how to do it:

import plotly.graph_objects as go
import streamlit as st

fig = go.Figure()
fig.add_trace(go.Barpolar(r=[1], theta=[0], width=[120]))
fig.update_layout(width=500, height=360)

st.plotly_chart(fig)

In this case, we simply remove the width="content" parameter from st.plotly_chart(). Because the width and height are already defined in fig.update_layout(), the chart will render correctly without triggering the warning.

3. Checking Streamlit and Plotly Versions

Sometimes, the warning might be related to version compatibility issues. If you're still seeing the warning after trying the above solutions, make sure you have the latest versions of Streamlit and Plotly.

You can update these libraries using pip:

pip install --upgrade streamlit plotly

Updating your libraries can fix any underlying compatibility problems that might be causing the warning.

Best Practices and Considerations

Let's wrap things up with some best practices to keep in mind when working with st.plotly_chart and avoiding deprecation warnings.

1. Prioritize use_container_width

If you're unsure which approach to use, start with use_container_width=True. It's a simple and effective way to manage the chart's width and often resolves the warning without any complex adjustments.

2. Explicitly Set Dimensions in Plotly

For more control, manage the chart's dimensions within the Plotly figure's layout. This keeps your sizing logic in one place and avoids potential conflicts with Streamlit's parameters.

3. Stay Updated

Keep your Streamlit and Plotly libraries up-to-date. This ensures you have the latest features, bug fixes, and compatibility improvements.

4. Review the Streamlit Documentation

Always refer to the official Streamlit documentation for the most up-to-date information on st.plotly_chart and its parameters. The documentation is your go-to resource for understanding how to use the function correctly and avoid any deprecated features.

5. Test Your App Thoroughly

After making any changes, test your Streamlit app thoroughly to ensure the charts render as expected and there are no unexpected issues. Test on different browsers and screen sizes.

Wrapping Up

So, there you have it, guys! We've tackled the st.plotly_chart deprecation warning. By understanding the issue, using the right parameters, and following best practices, you can keep your Streamlit apps clean, efficient, and free from those annoying warnings.

Remember to choose the approach that best suits your needs and always stay updated with the latest Streamlit and Plotly versions. Happy coding!

I hope that this helped you with your issue, if you have any further questions don't hesitate to ask!