A Step-by-Step Guide to Publishing a Shiny App: Learn with an Example on shinyapps.io

A Step-by-Step Guide to Publishing a Shiny App: Learn with an Example on shinyapps.io

Introduction:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the development of interactive apps and dashboards has become increasingly popular. If you have created a Shiny app and want to know how to publish it, this article will guide you through the process. Using the shinyapps.io platform, you can easily deploy your Shiny app online. This step-by-step guide will show you how to create an account, upload your app, and make it available for others to use. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced R user, you’ll find this method simple and effective. So, let’s get started and share your Shiny app with the world!

Full Article: A Step-by-Step Guide to Publishing a Shiny App: Learn with an Example on shinyapps.io

How to Publish a Shiny App: A Step-by-Step Guide

With the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, many individuals have taken to creating interactive apps and dashboards to visualize and analyze data related to the virus. In response to a reader’s request, we will outline the process of publishing a Shiny app. This guide will provide step-by-step instructions on how to publish your Shiny app online, ensuring that others can easily access and use it. Before diving into the deployment process, you can check out the final result of published Shiny apps created by the author here.

Please note that the screenshots provided in this guide were taken on a Mac operating system, and the instructions may vary slightly on other operating systems such as Windows. If you encounter any discrepancies, feel free to leave a comment and let us know.

Step 1: Create a New Shiny App in RStudio
To begin, open RStudio and create a new Shiny app by following these steps:

– Open RStudio and navigate to the top toolbar.
– Click on “File” and select “New File.”
– Choose “Shiny Web App” from the dropdown menu.
– Provide a name for your app (without spaces) and select a location to save it.
– Click on the “Create” button to generate the app.

Step 2: Run the Basic Shiny App
Once the app is created, the initial code for a basic Shiny app will automatically be generated. To run the app and see the result, follow these steps:

– Click on the “Run App” button (a green arrow) in the top right corner of the code editor.
– The basic Shiny app will open in a separate window.

Step 3: Publish the App
If you are satisfied with the results and want to publish the app, follow these steps:

– Click on the “Publish” button located in the top right corner of the app window.

Step 4: Link Your Account on shinyapps.io
If this is your first time publishing a Shiny app, the “Publish From Account” box will be empty, indicating that you need to link your shinyapps.io account. Follow these steps:

– Click on the “Add New Account” button.
– Select the first option, “ShinyApps.io,” from the alternatives provided.
– Click on the link provided to access your shinyapps.io account.

Step 5: Log in to Your ShinyApps Account
To log in to your ShinyApps account, follow these steps:

– Click on the “Dashboard” button to access your account.

Step 6: Retrieve Your Token
Once you are logged in to your account, retrieve your token by following these steps:

– Click on your name displayed in the top right corner of the dashboard.
– From the dropdown menu, select “Tokens.”

Step 7: Create a New Token
If this is your first time using an app with your ShinyApps account, you will not have any tokens created. Follow these steps:

– Click on the “Add Token” button to create a new token.
– Click on the “Show” button to reveal the token.
– Click on the “Show Secret” button to reveal the complete code.
– Click on the “Copy to clipboard” button to save the code to your clipboard.
– Click on the “OK” button to proceed.

Step 8: Authorize Your Computer
Return to RStudio and paste the token code you retrieved into the console. This will authorize your computer to deploy applications to your shinyapps.io account.

Step 9: Publish Your App
To publish your app, follow these steps:

– Return to the window where you can publish your app.
– Provide a title for your app (without spaces).
– Click on the “Publish” button to initiate the deployment process.

Step 10: Access Your Published App
After a few moments (depending on the size of your app), the Shiny app will appear in your internet browser, indicating it has been successfully published.

Step 11: Modify and Republish Your App
You can make changes to your app by editing the code within the RStudio interface. To do so, follow these steps:

– Edit the code as desired.
– Click on the “Run App” button to preview the modified app.
– Once you are satisfied with the changes, click on the “Publish” button to republish the app.

Settings and Dataset Publication

While the above steps cover the basics of publishing a Shiny app, there are additional features you should be aware of:

Changing App Settings: To modify the settings of your Shiny app, access your shinyapps.io dashboard and click on the app you wish to modify. Explore the different tabs at the top of the window to access and adjust various settings. The URL field will contain the link to your app.

Publishing Datasets: In many cases, Shiny apps rely on datasets that are not automatically loaded in R. To ensure your app functions properly with its associated dataset, you will need to publish the dataset along with the app. In the publishing process, you can select the checkbox that corresponds to your data.

Alternatively, if you require more flexibility, you can host the dataset online. If you have a website, you can publish the dataset on your site. If not, you can utilize GitHub to host the dataset. To import the data into your app, modify the code accordingly, indicating the new dataset’s URL.

By following these steps, you can successfully publish your Shiny app using the shinyapps.io platform. Remember to consider the limitations of the free plan, such as the maximum number of active applications and monthly usage hours. Plan accordingly and upgrade your plan if necessary.

Summary: A Step-by-Step Guide to Publishing a Shiny App: Learn with an Example on shinyapps.io

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in the creation of interactive apps and dashboards. This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to publish a Shiny app using the shinyapps.io platform. The guide includes screenshots and instructions on how to create a new app, link your shinyapps.io account, and publish your app. It also provides additional information on how to customize your app settings and publish your dataset along with the app. By following this guide, you can easily deploy your own Shiny app online and share it with others.

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