Table of Contents
TL; DR
RStudio has some wonderful features! Here are some tips and tricks for new learneRs to get started with regards to customizing your interface, getting started with R Markdown, and a bit of troubleshooting.
Background
Gif’s were captured in May 2019, likely with RStudio version 1.2.1335-1. Keyboard shortcuts are for Windows users, Mac users may differ. For Windows users, I also recommend changing your default settings to show file extensions.
And if you are not familiar with it, please allow me introduce you to Will Smith’s 1998 hit “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It.” 🎵Na na na na na na na nana 🎵
Customizing the interface
Adjusting panels
Re-arrange panels
Tools -> Global Options -> Panel Layout
Recover lost panels
Font size/resolution
View -> Zoom in / Zoom out / Actual size
Personalization
Tools -> Global Options -> Appearance
Margin column
Tools -> Global Options -> Code -> Display -> Show margin -> Margin column 80
Consider placing a margin column at 80 characters as a reminder for code formatting. Keeping code within 80 characters can make it easier to read when switching displays or sharing code.
R Markdown
Opening a new R Markdown
File -> New file -> R Markdown or 
-> R Markdown
Knitting an R Markdown
Preview an R Markdown
Personalizing R Markdown
Inserting/splitting code chunks
or Ctrl + Alt + I
Chunk anatomy
Chunk names
Chunk names allow you to quickly navigate code, automatically name figures, and troubleshoot errors. Chunk names must be unique! If no name is provided, a default numbered chunk name will be assigned.
Chunk execution
or Ctrl + Enter
Chunk options
R Markdown Troubleshooting
YAML error
Chunk error
Chunk error for duplicate chunk name
Layout error
Let your markdown breathe! If something doesn’t look right, try adding white space.
R code error
The end
Acknowledgments
Thumbnail artwork adapted from @allison_horst.
The phrase IDE was removed from the title and body of this post on Sep. 8, 2020 per @TrashBirdEcol’s suggestion.