R Language using Excel Files

INTRODUCTION:

This document highlights the process of reading excel files using R language. There are several

ambiguous suggestions already prevailing in the web. So, we have tried to figure out 2 best

possible ways to solve the ambiguities. Here, they are described in brief:

READING EXCEL FILES:

1ST

SOLUTION:

install.packages("gdata") [ It can be done manually too. Go to Packages at the

top. Select any location, preferably USA (CA 1).

Then select gdata from the list. ]

library(gdata) [ Use of Library for reading an Excel file. ]

setwd("D:/R Statistics") [ Set working directory ]

y=read.xls("iris.xls") [Read the .xls/.xlsx file that is present in the working

directory. ]

y [ Print the contents of the excel file. ]

2ND

SOLUTION:

install.packages("xlsx") [ It can be done manually too. Go to Packages at the

top. Select any location, preferably USA (CA 1).

Then select xlsx from the list. ]

require(xlsx) [ Ask for xlsx functionalities. ]

file=system.file("tests","test_import.xlsx",package ="xlsx")

[ “tests” is the name of folder where the xlsx file is

saved. “test_import.xlsx” is the xlsx file belonging

to the package “xlsx”. Folder, file and package

name may be other than these. ]

a=read.xlsx(file,1) [ We have to read the file , at the same time mention

its sheet no , i.e. 1,2,3…… ]

a [ Print the contents of the excel file. ]

CONCLUSION:

The above mentioned 2 ways are really worth reading an Excel file using R. Writing in an Excel

file using R is still under supervision.