File path issues in R using Windows (“Hex digits in character string” error)

Question

I run R on Windows, and have a csv file on the Desktop. I load it as follows,

x<-read.csv(\"C:\\Users\\surfcat\\Desktop\\2006_dissimilarity.csv\",header=T         


        

Answer 1

I know this is really old, but if you are copying and pasting anyway, you can just use:

read.csv(readClipboard())

readClipboard() escapes the back-slashes for you. Just remember to make sure the ".csv" is included in your copy, perhaps with this:

read.csv(paste0(readClipboard(),'.csv'))

And if you really want to minimize your typing you can use some functions:

setWD <- function(){
  setwd(readClipboard())
}


readCSV <- function(){
  return(readr::read_csv(paste0(readClipboard(),'.csv')))
} 

#copy directory path
setWD()

#copy file name
df <- readCSV()