matplotlib
diff --git a/‎doc/users/next_whats_new/widget_dragging.rst
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+9Lines changed: 9 additions & 0 deletions b/‎doc/users/next_whats_new/widget_dragging.rst
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diff --git a/‎lib/matplotlib/tests/test_widgets.py
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+30Lines changed: 30 additions & 0 deletions b/‎lib/matplotlib/tests/test_widgets.py
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diff --git a/‎lib/matplotlib/widgets.py
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+21-6Lines changed: 21 additions & 6 deletions b/‎lib/matplotlib/widgets.py
Copy file name to clipboardExpand all lines: lib/matplotlib/widgets.py
+21-6Lines changed: 21 additions & 6 deletions
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+Dragging selectors
+------------------
+
+The `~matplotlib.widgets.RectangleSelector` and
+`~matplotlib.widgets.EllipseSelector` have a new keyword argument,
+``select_whole_region``, which when set to `True` allows you to click and drag
+from anywhere inside the selector to move it. Previously it was only possible
+to move it by either activating the move modifier button, or clicking on the
+central handle.
@@ -44,6 +44,36 @@ def test_rectangle_selector():
     check_rectangle(rectprops=dict(fill=True))
 
 
+@pytest.mark.parametrize('select_whole_region, new_center',
+                         [[True, (100, 100)],
+                          [False, (50, 50)]])
+def test_rectangle_drag(select_whole_region, new_center):
+    ax = get_ax()
+
+    def onselect(epress, erelease):
+        pass
+
+    tool = widgets.RectangleSelector(ax, onselect, interactive=True,
+                                     select_whole_region=select_whole_region)
+    # Create rectangle
+    do_event(tool, 'press', xdata=0, ydata=0, button=1)
+    do_event(tool, 'onmove', xdata=100, ydata=100, button=1)
+    do_event(tool, 'release', xdata=100, ydata=100, button=1)
+    assert tool.center == (50, 50)
+    # Drag inside rectangle, but away from centre handle to make sure rectangle
+    # is still moved
+    do_event(tool, 'press', xdata=25, ydata=25, button=1)
+    do_event(tool, 'onmove', xdata=75, ydata=75, button=1)
+    do_event(tool, 'release', xdata=75, ydata=75, button=1)
+    assert tool.center == new_center
+    # Check that in both cases, dragging outside the rectangle draws a new
+    # rectangle
+    do_event(tool, 'press', xdata=175, ydata=175, button=1)
+    do_event(tool, 'onmove', xdata=185, ydata=185, button=1)
+    do_event(tool, 'release', xdata=185, ydata=185, button=1)
+    assert tool.center == (180, 180)
+
+
 def test_ellipse():
     """For ellipse, test out the key modifiers"""
     ax = get_ax()
 
@@ -2189,7 +2189,8 @@ def __init__(self, ax, onselect, drawtype='box',
                  minspanx=0, minspany=0, useblit=False,
                  lineprops=None, rectprops=None, spancoords='data',
                  button=None, maxdist=10, marker_props=None,
-                 interactive=False, state_modifier_keys=None):
+                 interactive=False, state_modifier_keys=None,
+                 select_whole_region=False):
         r"""
         Parameters
         ----------
@@ -2261,13 +2262,18 @@ def onselect(eclick: MouseEvent, erelease: MouseEvent)
               default: "ctrl".
 
             "square" and "center" can be combined.
+
+        select_whole_region : bool, optional
+            If `True`, the widget can be moved by clicking anywhere within
+            its bounds.
         """
         super().__init__(ax, onselect, useblit=useblit, button=button,
                          state_modifier_keys=state_modifier_keys)
 
         self.to_draw = None
         self.visible = True
         self.interactive = interactive
+        self.select_whole_region = select_whole_region
 
         if drawtype == 'none':  # draw a line but make it invisible
             drawtype = 'line'
@@ -2407,8 +2413,9 @@ def _onmove(self, event):
                 y2 = event.ydata
 
         # move existing shape
-        elif (('move' in self.state or self.active_handle == 'C')
-              and self._extents_on_press is not None):
+        elif (('move' in self.state or self.active_handle == 'C' or
+               (self.select_whole_region and self._contains(event))) and
+              self._extents_on_press is not None):
             x1, x2, y1, y2 = self._extents_on_press
             dx = event.xdata - self.eventpress.xdata
             dy = event.ydata - self.eventpress.ydata
@@ -2536,19 +2543,23 @@ def _set_active_handle(self, event):
         e_idx, e_dist = self._edge_handles.closest(event.x, event.y)
         m_idx, m_dist = self._center_handle.closest(event.x, event.y)
 
-        if 'move' in self.state:
+        contains = self._contains(event)
+        if 'move' in self.state or (self.select_whole_region and contains):
             self.active_handle = 'C'
             self._extents_on_press = self.extents
-
         # Set active handle as closest handle, if mouse click is close enough.
         elif m_dist < self.maxdist * 2:
+            # Prioritise center handle over other handles
             self.active_handle = 'C'
-        elif c_dist > self.maxdist and e_dist > self.maxdist:
+        elif (c_dist > self.maxdist and e_dist > self.maxdist) or not contains:
+            # Not close to any handles
             self.active_handle = None
             return
         elif c_dist < e_dist:
+            # Closest to a corner handle
             self.active_handle = self._corner_order[c_idx]
         else:
+            # Closest to an edge handle
             self.active_handle = self._edge_order[e_idx]
 
         # Save coordinates of rectangle at the start of handle movement.
@@ -2560,6 +2571,10 @@ def _set_active_handle(self, event):
             y1, y2 = y2, event.ydata
         self._extents_on_press = x1, x2, y1, y2
 
+    def _contains(self, event):
+        """Return True if event is within the patch."""
+        return self.to_draw.contains(event, radius=0)[0]
+
     @property
     def geometry(self):
         """