matplotlib · jkseppan · Feb 8, 2015 · Jan 12, 2015 · Jan 13, 2015 · Jan 13, 2015
diff --git a/doc/users/whats_new/pdfpages_notes.rst b/doc/users/whats_new/pdfpages_notes.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+Per-page pdf notes in multi-page pdfs (PdfPages)
+------------------------------------------------
+
+Add a new method attach_note to the PdfPages class, allowing the
+attachment of simple text notes to pages in a multi-page pdf of
+figures. The new note is visible in the list of pdf annotations in a
+viewer that has this facility (Adobe Reader, OSX Preview, Skim,
+etc.). Per default the note itself is kept off-page to prevent it to
+appear in print-outs.
+
+PdfPages.attach_note needs to be called before savefig in order to be
+added to the correct figure.
diff --git a/examples/pylab_examples/multipage_pdf.py b/examples/pylab_examples/multipage_pdf.py
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@
     x = np.arange(0, 5, 0.1)
     plt.plot(x, np.sin(x), 'b-')
     plt.title('Page Two')
+    pdf.attach_note("plot of sin(x)")  # you can add a pdf note to
+                                       # attach metadata to a page
     pdf.savefig()
     plt.close()
 

diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_pdf.py b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_pdf.py
@@ -480,6 +480,9 @@ def __init__(self, filename):
 
         self.paths = []
 
+        self.pageAnnotations = []  # A list of annotations for the
+                                   # current page
+
         # The PDF spec recommends to include every procset
         procsets = [Name(x)
                     for x in "PDF Text ImageB ImageC ImageI".split()]
@@ -507,7 +510,8 @@ def newPage(self, width, height):
                    'Contents': contentObject,
                    'Group': {'Type': Name('Group'),
                              'S': Name('Transparency'),
-                             'CS': Name('DeviceRGB')}
+                             'CS': Name('DeviceRGB')},
+                   'Annots': self.pageAnnotations,
                    }
         pageObject = self.reserveObject('page')
         self.writeObject(pageObject, thePage)
@@ -519,6 +523,20 @@ def newPage(self, width, height):
         # graphics context: currently only the join style needs to be set
         self.output(GraphicsContextPdf.joinstyles['round'], Op.setlinejoin)
 
+        # Clear the list of annotations for the next page
+        self.pageAnnotations = []
+
+    def newTextnote(self, text, positionRect=[-100, -100, 0, 0]):
+        # Create a new annotation of type text
+        theNote = {'Type': Name('Annot'),
+                   'Subtype': Name('Text'),
+                   'Contents': text,
+                   'Rect': positionRect,
+                   }
+        annotObject = self.reserveObject('annotation')
+        self.writeObject(annotObject, theNote)
+        self.pageAnnotations.append(annotObject)
+
     def close(self):
         self.endStream()
         # Write out the various deferred objects
@@ -2445,6 +2463,15 @@ def get_pagecount(self):
         """
         return len(self._file.pageList)
 
+    def attach_note(self, text, positionRect=[-100, -100, 0, 0]):
+        """
+        Add a new text note to the page to be saved next. The optional
+        positionRect specifies the position of the new note on the
+        page. It is outside the page per default to make sure it is
+        invisible on printouts.
+        """
+        self._file.newTextnote(text, positionRect)
+
 
 class FigureCanvasPdf(FigureCanvasBase):
     """