How to Read and Save Data in R
In data analysis, the very first step is always bringing data into R. Your data may come from CSV files, Excel spreadsheets, SPSS files, JSON, databases, or APIs. After analysis, you’ll also need to export your results for reports or further use.
In this tutorial, you will learn how to: Import data from CSV, Import data from Excel, Import data from SPSS, Import data from JSON, Import data from URLs / APIs, Export data back to files.
Import Data from CSV
Read CSV file
data_csv <- read.csv("data.csv")
#using seperator
data_csv <- read.csv("data.csv", sep = ";")Import Data from Excel
Use the readxl package:
install.packages("readxl")
library(readxl)
data_xlsx <- read_excel("data.xlsx")
head(data_xlsx)
#To read a specific sheet:
data_xlsx <- read_excel("data.xlsx", sheet = 2)Import Data from SPSS (.sav)
install.packages("haven")
library(haven)
data_spss <- read_sav("data.sav")
head(data_spss)Import Data from JSON
Use the jsonlite package:
install.packages("jsonlite")
library(jsonlite)
data_json <- fromJSON("data.json")
head(data_json)Import Data from URL / API
library(jsonlite)
url <- "https://api.example.com/data"
data_api <- fromJSON(url)
head(data_api)Export Data to csv
write.csv(data_csv, "output.csv", row.names = FALSE)Export Data to Excel
install.packages("openxlsx")
library(openxlsx)
write.xlsx(data_csv, "output.xlsx")Export Data to SPSS
library(haven)
write_sav(data_csv, "output.sav")Export Data to JSON
library(jsonlite)
write_json(data_csv, "output.json", pretty = TRUE, auto_unbox = TRUE)