2  Quarto Documents

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October 20, 2024

3 Quarto Documents

Quarto documents are used for dynamic reporting, data analysis, and creating reproducible research. They are similar to R Markdown files but offer enhanced features and support for multiple programming languages, including R, Python, and Julia.

3.1 Key Features of Quarto Documents

  • Markdown Support: Quarto uses Markdown syntax for formatting text.
  • Code Chunks: You can include code from R, Python, or other languages, with output displayed inline or as separate results.
  • Multi-Format Output: You can render Quarto documents to various formats, including HTML, PDF, and Word.
  • Narrative Text: Use plain text formatted with Markdown for headings, lists, links, images, etc.
  • Embedded Outputs: Results from code chunks, like tables and plots, are embedded directly in the document.
  • Cross-references: Quarto supports cross-referencing figures, tables, and sections, enhancing document structure.

3.2 How to Use Quarto Documents

3.2.1 Step 1: Install Quarto

  • Download and install Quarto from the Quarto website.
  • If you use RStudio, update it to the latest version for compatibility.

3.2.2 Step 2: Create a New Quarto Document

  1. In RStudio:
    • Go to File > New File > Quarto Document.
    • Choose a template if prompted, and save the file with a .qmd extension.
  2. Using the Command Line:

    • Run the following command to create a new Quarto file:

      quarto create my_document.qmd

3.2.3 Step 3: Write Your Quarto Document

  • Header: At the top of the document, specify metadata in YAML format:

3.3 Narrative Text

Use Markdown to format your text, as shown below:

## Introduction

This is a simple Quarto document. You can use **bold** text, *italic* text, and create lists:

- Item 1
- Item 2
  • Code Chunks: Insert code chunks with the following syntax:
# R code example
#summary(cars)
# Python code goes here
#import numpy as np
#np.random.rand(5)

Step 4: Render the Document

To render the document into the desired output format (HTML, PDF, etc.), use the following command in the terminal or RStudio:

quarto render my_document.qmd --to html

If you want to open the rendered document immediately, use:

quarto render my_document.qmd --to html --open
Additional Tips

  • Customize Your Document: You can customize the appearance and layout of your Quarto documents using themes and templates. Refer to the Quarto documentation for more details.

  • Use Code Folding: Consider enabling code folding for long code chunks to make your document cleaner and more navigable.

  • Leverage Quarto’s Features: Take advantage of features like cross-references and citations to create a more dynamic and interconnected document.

  • Publishing: Quarto supports publishing documents directly to platforms like GitHub Pages or RStudio Connect.

  • Version Control: Integrate Quarto documents with Git and GitHub for version control and collaboration.

4 Conclusion

Quarto documents provide a powerful tool for combining narrative, code, and output in a single format. They facilitate reproducible research and make it easy to share your findings with others. Explore the Quarto documentation for more advanced features and capabilities. If you have specific questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!