Menu
Method 1: Using := A column can be added to an existing data table using := operator. Here ':' represents the fixed values and '=' represents the assignment of values. So, they together represent the assignment of fixed values. Therefore, with the help of “:=” we will add 2 columns in the above table.
More specifically, you will learn 1) to add a column using base R (i.e., by using the $-operator and brackets, 2) add a column using the add_column() function (i.e., from tibble), 3) add multiple columns, and 4) to add columns from one dataframe to another.
To concatenate two columns you can use the <code>paste()</code> function. For example, if you want to combine the two columns A and B in the dataframe df you can use the following code: <code>df['AB'] <- paste(df$A, df$B)</code>.
This now works in v1.8.3 on R-Forge. Thanks for highlighting it!
x <- data.table(a = 1:3, b = 1:6)
f <- function(x) {list("hi", "hello")}
x[ , c("col1", "col2") := f(), by = a][]
# a b col1 col2
# 1: 1 1 hi hello
# 2: 2 2 hi hello
# 3: 3 3 hi hello
# 4: 1 4 hi hello
# 5: 2 5 hi hello
# 6: 3 6 hi hello
x[ , c("mean", "sum") := list(mean(b), sum(b)), by = a][]
# a b col1 col2 mean sum
# 1: 1 1 hi hello 2.5 5
# 2: 2 2 hi hello 3.5 7
# 3: 3 3 hi hello 4.5 9
# 4: 1 4 hi hello 2.5 5
# 5: 2 5 hi hello 3.5 7
# 6: 3 6 hi hello 4.5 9
mynames = c("Name1", "Longer%")
x[ , (mynames) := list(mean(b) * 4, sum(b) * 3), by = a]
# a b col1 col2 mean sum Name1 Longer%
# 1: 1 1 hi hello 2.5 5 10 15
# 2: 2 2 hi hello 3.5 7 14 21
# 3: 3 3 hi hello 4.5 9 18 27
# 4: 1 4 hi hello 2.5 5 10 15
# 5: 2 5 hi hello 3.5 7 14 21
# 6: 3 6 hi hello 4.5 9 18 27
x[ , get("mynames") := list(mean(b) * 4, sum(b) * 3), by = a][] # same
# a b col1 col2 mean sum Name1 Longer%
# 1: 1 1 hi hello 2.5 5 10 15
# 2: 2 2 hi hello 3.5 7 14 21
# 3: 3 3 hi hello 4.5 9 18 27
# 4: 1 4 hi hello 2.5 5 10 15
# 5: 2 5 hi hello 3.5 7 14 21
# 6: 3 6 hi hello 4.5 9 18 27
x[ , eval(mynames) := list(mean(b) * 4, sum(b) * 3), by = a][] # same
# a b col1 col2 mean sum Name1 Longer%
# 1: 1 1 hi hello 2.5 5 10 15
# 2: 2 2 hi hello 3.5 7 14 21
# 3: 3 3 hi hello 4.5 9 18 27
# 4: 1 4 hi hello 2.5 5 10 15
# 5: 2 5 hi hello 3.5 7 14 21
# 6: 3 6 hi hello 4.5 9 18 27
Older version using the with argument (we discourage this argument when possible):
x[ , mynames := list(mean(b) * 4, sum(b) * 3), by = a, with = FALSE][] # same
# a b col1 col2 mean sum Name1 Longer%
# 1: 1 1 hi hello 2.5 5 10 15
# 2: 2 2 hi hello 3.5 7 14 21
# 3: 3 3 hi hello 4.5 9 18 27
# 4: 1 4 hi hello 2.5 5 10 15
# 5: 2 5 hi hello 3.5 7 14 21
# 6: 3 6 hi hello 4.5 9 18 27
The following shorthand notation might be useful. All credit goes to Andrew Brooks, specifically this article.
dt[,`:=`(avg=mean(mpg), med=median(mpg), min=min(mpg)), by=cyl]
If you love us? You can donate to us via Paypal or buy me a coffee so we can maintain and grow! Thank you!
Donate Us With