Transforming R Markdown Into Eye-Catching Documents

Transforming R Markdown Into Eye-Catching Documents

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Rendering Markdown Documents 2.1 The YAML Header 2.2 Knitting the Document
3. Customizing the Output 3.1 Modifying the HTML Document 3.2 Using Bootswatch Themes 3.3 Creating a Table of Contents 3.4 Floating Table of Contents
4. Using Other Styles and Templates 4.1 Distill Package 4.2 Clean Rmd Package
5. Conclusion

Rendering Markdown Documents

In this article, we will explore how to render our markdown documents into more visually appealing and enjoyable formats. By default, markdown documents are rendered as HTML documents. The top section of the document, known as the YAML header, is written in YAML, which is yet another markdown language. To make our markdown document consumable by others, we need to knit it. By clicking on the knit button, the raw text in the document is converted into a visually appealing HTML document.

Customizing the Output

While the default rendering of markdown documents is adequate, we can further enhance the appearance by customizing the output. This can be done by modifying the output header value and specifying a theme. We can create a theme either by using CSS or by selecting a bootswatch theme. Bootswatch provides predefined themes that can be easily integrated into the HTML document. By specifying the theme, we can make our markdown document more visually appealing.

Using Bootswatch Themes

To customize the appearance of our markdown document, we have the option to use bootswatch themes. These themes offer a range of predefined styles that can be applied to the HTML document. By specifying the theme in the output header, we can instantly change the look and feel of our document. Themes such as Journal, Darkly, Cerulean, and Yeti can make our markdown document stand out with different color schemes and visual elements.

Creating a Table of Contents

One way to improve the readability and navigation of our markdown document is by adding a table of contents. By setting the value of the html_document's toc parameter to true, we can generate a table of contents. However, the default table of contents disappears when a section is clicked. To address this, we can set the toc_float parameter to true. This will create a floating table of contents that remains visible even while scrolling through the document.

Using Other Styles and Templates

In addition to the built-in styling options provided by our markdown package, we can also use other packages to enhance the appearance of our markdown document. Packages such as Distill and Clean Rmd offer additional templates and styles that can be applied to the HTML output. By using these packages, we can create visually appealing documents with unique styles and layouts.

Conclusion

In this article, we have learned how to render our markdown documents into visually appealing and enjoyable formats. By customizing the output header and using bootswatch themes, we can give our documents a unique and professional look. Additionally, we explored the option of creating a table of contents, making it easier for readers to navigate through the document. Furthermore, we discovered packages like Distill and Clean Rmd that provide additional styles and templates for our markdown documents. With these tools and techniques, we can create compelling and engaging content that stands out.