Use a specific Plotly version in notebook outputs

Use this guide when a Plotly chart in Orion does not match what you see in another notebook tool, or when your Python environment uses a newer or older Plotly feature than Orion's built-in chart renderer supports.

Orion renders normal Plotly notebook output with its own bundled plotly.js. Your Python plotly package still creates the figure data, but it does not automatically change the JavaScript version Orion uses to draw the chart.

When you need this

• A Plotly chart appears blank, incomplete, or different in Orion but works in JupyterLab, VS Code, or a browser export.
• Your notebook depends on a Plotly feature from a specific plotly / plotly.js version.
• You need a chart to render with a pinned Plotly JavaScript file, such as one hosted by Plotly's CDN or your organization.

Steps

1. First, try the normal Plotly output:

   fig.show()

   This is the most reliable option when your chart works with Orion's bundled Plotly renderer.

2. If the chart needs a specific Plotly JavaScript version, display Plotly HTML instead of the default Plotly JSON output:

   from IPython.display import display
   
   html = fig.to_html(
       include_plotlyjs="https://cdn.plot.ly/plotly-2.35.2.min.js",
       full_html=False,
   )
   
   display({"text/vnd.plotly.v1+html": html}, raw=True)

   Replace the URL with the Plotly JavaScript version you want to use. Use only URLs you trust.

3. Re-run the cell in Orion.

4. If your workspace blocks external scripts or network access, use one of these alternatives:

   • Ask your organization to allow the trusted Plotly JavaScript URL.
   • Host the approved Plotly JavaScript file on an internal URL and use that URL in include_plotlyjs.
   • Export a static image when interactivity is not required.

Notes

• Installing a different Python plotly version changes the figure data produced by Python. It does not, by itself, change Orion's bundled plotly.js renderer.
• HTML output can run JavaScript. Only load Plotly JavaScript from sources you trust.
• Results may differ across machines if a notebook depends on a script URL that is unavailable, blocked, or later changed.

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Last updated April 2026.