Sending HTML Data Frames via Email with sendmailR in R

Transform Your Emails with Scrollable HTML Data Frames

Imagine you’ve just completed a detailed analysis in R and have a large ready to share. 📊 Your first instinct might be to attach it as an Excel file, but what if the recipient could view it in a neatly formatted HTML table within the email body?

Using the package, this is not only possible but can also be enhanced with the powerful styling capabilities of the package. Adding a scroll box is a game-changer for presenting large data frames, keeping them readable without overwhelming the email.

In this article, we’ll explore how to use R to send an email that includes a beautifully formatted, scrollable HTML table. Whether you’re sharing results with colleagues or clients, this method ensures your data is presented professionally and accessibly. 🎯

We’ll dive into a step-by-step example, showcasing how to integrate with . Along the way, I’ll share practical tips and tricks for making this process seamless, even if you’re new to sending styled tables via email.

Command	Example of Use
scroll_box()	This function from the package wraps a table in a scrollable box. It's particularly useful for large tables, as it allows scrolling within fixed dimensions.
kable_styling()	Used to apply styling options to tables created with kbl(). It provides customizable appearance options such as borders, width, and alignment.
sendmail()	A core function from the package that facilitates sending emails. It supports multiple arguments like sender, recipient, subject, and body content.
kbl()	Creates a basic HTML or LaTeX table from a data frame or matrix. This is the starting point for adding styling and exporting tables with .
attach.files	An argument in the function that allows attaching files to an email. It accepts file paths as inputs.
write.xlsx()	Part of the package, this function writes a data frame or matrix to an Excel file, which can be attached to an email.
set.seed()	Sets the random number generator's seed in R to ensure reproducibility of random numbers generated during script execution.
tibble()	Creates modern, enhanced data frames with improved printing and subsetting functionalities. A part of the ecosystem.
smtplib()	A key component in the email control setup with . Specifies the SMTP server used to send emails, ensuring delivery.
%>%	A pipe operator from the package, used to chain multiple operations together for cleaner and more readable code.

Creating Dynamic HTML Emails with R

The scripts provided demonstrate how to send a via email in R by embedding it as an HTML table or attaching it as an Excel file. The first step involves generating a sample data frame using the function, which creates a modern and user-friendly table structure. This data is formatted into an HTML table using the package. This package allows for advanced table styling, such as adding a scroll box, which is particularly helpful for large data sets. For instance, if you’ve worked on a customer dataset with hundreds of rows, a scrollable HTML table makes it accessible directly within an email. 📧

Next, the package is employed to compose and send the email. This package enables defining the sender, recipient, subject, and message body. By integrating the styled HTML table generated by and its extensions, we ensure the email content is visually appealing. For instance, imagine you are sharing monthly sales data with your team; a well-styled table in the email body enhances comprehension and reduces the need for additional file downloads. The function is pivotal here, as it prevents the email from being overwhelmed by excessive content. 🌟

For those who prefer attachments, the second script highlights how to export the data frame as an Excel file using the function from the package. This approach is beneficial when working with collaborators who need the raw data for analysis. After creating the file, the script attaches it to the email using the argument in the sendmail() function. For example, a project manager could use this method to share project timelines or budget data with external stakeholders in a universally accepted format like Excel.

Finally, both scripts emphasize the importance of reproducibility and clarity. Using ensures that the random data generated is consistent across multiple runs, which is crucial for debugging and collaboration. Additionally, the modular structure of the scripts allows for customization, such as changing the email subject or SMTP server settings. Whether you’re a data analyst presenting findings or a business owner sharing KPIs, these scripts offer a professional and efficient way to communicate data.

# Load necessary libraries
library(dplyr)
library(kableExtra)
library(sendmailR)
# Generate sample dataframe
set.seed(123)
random_df <- tibble(
  column1 = sample(1:100, 10, replace = TRUE),
  column2 = runif(10, min = 0, max = 1),
  column3 = sample(LETTERS, 10, replace = TRUE),
  column4 = rnorm(10, mean = 50, sd = 10)
)
# Define the scrollable HTML table
html_table <- random_df %>%
  kbl() %>%
  kable_styling(full_width = TRUE) %>%
  scroll_box(width = "500px", height = "300px")
# Set up email control
mailControl <- list(smtpServer = "your.smtp.server")
# Send the email
sendmail(
  from = "your_email@example.com",
  to = "recipient@example.com",
  subject = "HTML Data Frame Example",
  msg = list(html_table),
  control = mailControl
)

# Load necessary libraries
library(dplyr)
library(openxlsx)
library(sendmailR)
# Generate sample dataframe
set.seed(123)
random_df <- tibble(
  column1 = sample(1:100, 10, replace = TRUE),
  column2 = runif(10, min = 0, max = 1),
  column3 = sample(LETTERS, 10, replace = TRUE),
  column4 = rnorm(10, mean = 50, sd = 10)
)
# Save dataframe to Excel file
file_path <- "random_df.xlsx"
write.xlsx(random_df, file_path)
# Set up email control
mailControl <- list(smtpServer = "your.smtp.server")
# Send the email with attachment
sendmail(
  from = "your_email@example.com",
  to = "recipient@example.com",
  subject = "Excel Attachment Example",
  msg = "Please find the attached data frame.",
  attach.files = file_path,
  control = mailControl
)

Enhancing Data Presentation in Emails with Advanced HTML Tables

One often overlooked aspect of sending data via email is ensuring that the recipient can easily interact with and comprehend the data. Using the package to add features like column highlighting, bold headers, and alternating row colors can significantly enhance readability. This becomes especially important when sharing datasets with multiple variables or large amounts of information. For instance, imagine sending a weekly performance report to your team where key columns are visually distinguished — this immediately draws attention to the most critical metrics. 📈

Another advanced feature of is the ability to integrate tooltips and hyperlinks directly within the table. Tooltips allow additional information to appear when hovering over a cell, providing context without cluttering the table. Hyperlinks are perfect for linking related documents or resources. For example, you could share sales data where each product name links to a detailed specification page, making your email both interactive and informative. 🌐

Finally, it's worth exploring how HTML tables can be adapted for mobile responsiveness. By tweaking the dimensions in the function, you can ensure your table adjusts gracefully to smaller screens. In a world where many recipients check emails on their phones, this feature ensures your data remains accessible and professional. Combining these elements results in emails that are not only functional but also polished and user-friendly.

1. How do I ensure my email tables are visually appealing?
2. Use the function to apply features like bold headers, borders, or column alignment.
3. Can I attach files along with HTML tables?
4. Yes, the function supports the argument to include attachments.
5. What if my table is too wide to fit in an email?
6. Wrap it in a to allow horizontal scrolling without compromising layout.
7. How can I send emails to multiple recipients?
8. Use a vector of email addresses in the parameter of the function.
9. Is it possible to include images in the email body?
10. Yes, by embedding HTML tags in the argument, you can include images along with the table.

Using tools like and empowers you to deliver complex data in a simple yet elegant format. By embedding styled HTML tables, you make information easy to understand and accessible for any audience.

For larger datasets, incorporating features like scroll boxes or adding attachments as Excel files enhances flexibility. These techniques are perfect for team reports, client updates, or collaborative projects, ensuring that your message is both professional and effective. 🚀