matplotlib · dstansby · Feb 2, 2024 · Jan 24, 2024 · story645 · Jan 29, 2024
diff --git a/doc/users/next_whats_new/update_arrow_patch.rst b/doc/users/next_whats_new/update_arrow_patch.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+Update the position of arrow patch
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+Adds a setter method that allows the user to update the position of the
+`.patches.Arrow` object without requiring a full re-draw.
+
+.. plot::
+    :include-source: true
+    :alt: Example of changing the position of the arrow with the new ``set_data`` method.
+
+    import matplotlib as mpl
+    import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
+    from matplotlib.patches import Arrow
+    import matplotlib.animation as animation
+
+    fig, ax = plt.subplots()
+    ax.set_xlim(0, 10)
+    ax.set_ylim(0, 10)
+
+    a = mpl.patches.Arrow(2, 0, 0, 10)
+    ax.add_patch(a)
+
+
+    # code for modifying the arrow
+    def update(i):
+        a.set_data(x=.5, dx=i, dy=6, width=2)
+
+
+    ani = animation.FuncAnimation(fig, update, frames=15, interval=90, blit=False)
+
+    plt.show()
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/patches.py b/lib/matplotlib/patches.py
@@ -1297,19 +1297,47 @@ def __init__(self, x, y, dx, dy, *, width=1.0, **kwargs):
             properties.
         """
         super().__init__(**kwargs)
-        self._patch_transform = (
-            transforms.Affine2D()
-            .scale(np.hypot(dx, dy), width)
-            .rotate(np.arctan2(dy, dx))
-            .translate(x, y)
-            .frozen())
+        self.set_data(x, y, dx, dy, width)
 
     def get_path(self):
         return self._path
 
     def get_patch_transform(self):
         return self._patch_transform
 
+    def set_data(self, x=None, y=None, dx=None, dy=None, width=None):
+        """
+        Set `.Arrow` x, y, dx, dy and width.
+        Values left as None will not be updated.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        x, y : float or None, default: None
+            The x and y coordinates of the arrow base.
+
+        dx, dy : float or None, default: None
+            The length of the arrow along x and y direction.
+
+        width : float or None, default: None
+            Width of full arrow tail.
+        """
+        if x is not None:
+            self._x = x
+        if y is not None:
+            self._y = y
+        if dx is not None:
+            self._dx = dx
+        if dy is not None:
+            self._dy = dy
+        if width is not None:
+            self._width = width
+        self._patch_transform = (
+            transforms.Affine2D()
+            .scale(np.hypot(self._dx, self._dy), self._width)
+            .rotate(np.arctan2(self._dy, self._dx))
+            .translate(self._x, self._y)
+            .frozen())
+
 
 class FancyArrow(Polygon):
     """

diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/patches.pyi b/lib/matplotlib/patches.pyi
@@ -181,7 +181,14 @@ class Arrow(Patch):
     def __init__(
         self, x: float, y: float, dx: float, dy: float, *, width: float = ..., **kwargs
     ) -> None: ...
-
+    def set_data(
+        self,
+        x: float | None = ...,
+        y: float | None = ...,
+        dx: float | None = ...,
+        dy: float | None = ...,
+        width: float | None = ...,
+    ) -> None: ...
 class FancyArrow(Polygon):
     def __init__(
         self,

diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_patches.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_patches.py
@@ -931,3 +931,32 @@ def test_modifying_arc(fig_test, fig_ref):
     fig_test.subplots().add_patch(arc2)
     arc2.set_width(.5)
     arc2.set_angle(20)
+
+
+def test_arrow_set_data():
+    fig, ax = plt.subplots()
+    arrow = mpl.patches.Arrow(2, 0, 0, 10)
+    expected1 = np.array(
+       [[1.9,  0.],
+        [2.1, -0.],
+        [2.1, 8.],
+        [2.3, 8.],
+        [2., 10.],
+        [1.7, 8.],
+        [1.9, 8.],
+        [1.9, 0.]]
+    )
+    assert np.allclose(expected1, np.round(arrow.get_verts(), 2))
+
+    expected2 = np.array(
+        [[0.39, 0.04],
+         [0.61, -0.04],
+         [3.01, 6.36],
+         [3.24, 6.27],
+         [3.5, 8.],
+         [2.56, 6.53],
+         [2.79, 6.44],
+         [0.39, 0.04]]
+    )
+    arrow.set_data(x=.5, dx=3, dy=8, width=1.2)
+    assert np.allclose(expected2, np.round(arrow.get_verts(), 2))