if else condition in ggplot to add an extra layer

What you are seeing is a syntax error. The most robust way I can think of is:

tmp.data<-c(1,2,3) 
if(tmp.data[1]!="no value") {
   p = p + geom_point()
}
p + geom_line()

So you compose the object p in a sequence, only adding geom_point() when the if statements yields TRUE.


This was done using ggplot2 2.1.0. I think you can do exactly what the OP wished, just by switching the parenthesis so that they encompass the entire if statement.

Here is an example that add a horizontal line depending on if Swtich is T or F. First, where the condition is TRUE

library(ggplot2)

df<-data.frame(x=1:10,y=11:20)
Switch=T

ggplot(df,aes(x,y))+
{if(Switch)geom_hline(yintercept=15)}+
  geom_point()

enter image description here

Now, the same thing but the condition is FALSE

df<-data.frame(x=1:10,y=11:20)
Switch=F

ggplot(df,aes(x,y))+
{if(Switch)geom_hline(yintercept=15)}+
  geom_point()

enter image description here