Understanding the Issue with gt() Summary Tables and tufte_handout

The gt() package is a popular R-based data visualization library that allows users to create a wide range of tables, from simple summary statistics to complex, interactive visualizations. One of its strengths is its ability to easily customize table layouts and designs using various themes and options.

However, in recent weeks, we’ve noticed an increasing number of users encountering issues with gt() summary tables when knitting them to the tufte_handout template. In this article, we’ll delve into the specifics of this problem, explore possible solutions, and provide guidance on how to troubleshoot similar issues.

What is tufte_handout?

tufte_handout is a R Markdown template provided by the gt package itself. It’s designed for creating publications and presentations with a clean, modern design. When you choose this template for your document, it generates a layout with a large header area, a prominent table or graph section, and a smaller footer.

The Problem: Sub-Total Rows in gt() Tables

When we create a gt() summary table using the summary_rows() function and specify sub-total rows, everything seems to work as expected. However, when knitting this table to the tufte_handout template, something strange happens. Instead of having the sub-totals displayed directly below their respective group headers, they’re shifted to a new line and surrounded by horizontal lines.

Let’s take a closer look at how we can create such a summary table in R using the gt package:

---
title: "stuff - ppt"
date: "04/08/2020"
output:
  html_document:
    df_print: paged
    dev: CairoPNG
    fig_caption: yes
    fig_height: 16
    fig_width: 20
---


tib <- tibble(Categ = c("A","B","C","B","B","C","A","A","A"),
              Subcateg=c("A1","B1","C2","B2","B3","C2","A1","A1","A3"),
              Id=c("AA","BB","CC","DD","EE","FF","GG","HH","II"))

tib %>%
  count(Subcateg, Categ) %>%
  mutate(prop = round((n / sum(n)) * 100, 2)) %>%
  gt(rowname_col = "Subcateg", groupname_col = "Categ")  %>% 
  summary_rows(
    groups = TRUE,
    columns = vars(n, prop),
    fns = list(total = ~sum(., na.rm = TRUE))
  ) %>% 
  summary_rows(
    groups = TRUE,
    columns = vars(n),
    fns = list(total = ~sum(., na.rm = TRUE)),
    formatter = fmt_number,
    decimals = 0) %>% 
  tab_options(
    row_group.font.weight = "bold"
  ) %>% 
  
  cols_label(
    Subcateg = "Classification",
    n = "Frequency",
    prop = "Percentage"
  ) %>%
  tab_spanner(
    label = "Number of stuff",
    columns = vars(n, prop)
  ) %>%
  tab_header(
    title = "Classification",
    subtitle = md(" ")
  )  %>% 
  as_latex()

Troubleshooting the Issue

After creating this table in R and knitting it to tufte_handout, we notice that there’s an issue with how sub-total rows are displayed. Let’s explore some possible solutions:

Option 1: Specifying Row Grouping

We can try adjusting our summary_rows() function call by explicitly specifying the row grouping behavior.

summary_rows(
  groups = TRUE,
  columns = vars(n, prop),
  fns = list(total = ~sum(., na.rm = TRUE)),
  formatter = fmt_number,
  decimals = 0,
  show_grouped_levels = TRUE
)

Option 2: Using the group_name Argument

In some cases, using the group_name argument might help resolve issues with sub-total rows. We can add this argument to our summary_rows() call like so:

summary_rows(
  groups = TRUE,
  columns = vars(n, prop),
  fns = list(total = ~sum(., na.rm = TRUE)),
  formatter = fmt_number,
  decimals = 0,
  group_name = "Categ"
)

Option 3: Using the group_position Argument

Another possible solution involves adjusting the group_position argument within our summary_rows() call. Here’s how we can modify this function to achieve better results:

summary_rows(
  groups = TRUE,
  columns = vars(n, prop),
  fns = list(total = ~sum(., na.rm = TRUE)),
  formatter = fmt_number,
  decimals = 0,
  group_position = "below",
  show_grouped_levels = TRUE
)

Summary and Conclusion

By exploring the possibilities mentioned above, we can successfully troubleshoot issues with sub-total rows in gt() tables when knitting them to the tufte_handout template. The key takeaway here is that sometimes, small adjustments to function parameters or arguments within our summary_rows() call can make a significant difference in how these tables are displayed.

If you’re experiencing similar issues with your own summary tables, don’t hesitate to experiment with different options until the desired behavior is achieved. Happy coding!

Last modified on 2024-03-16