R markdown workflow for PPT

[noamross]

The development version of pandoc now allows passing of raw openxml into powerpoint: jgm/pandoc@5547cd6

Using this, I've been able to make a quick proof-of-concept of creating editable powerpoints through R Markdown:

---
output:
  powerpoint_presentation:
    keep_md: true
    md_extensions: "+raw_attribute"
---

    ```{r setup, include=FALSE}
    library(rvg)
    library(knitr)
    opts_chunk$set(echo = FALSE)
    local({
      hook_plot = knit_hooks$get('plot')
      knit_hooks$set(plot = function(x, options) {
        x = paste(x, collapse = '.')
        if (!grepl('\\.dml', x)) return(hook_plot(x, options))
        xx <- xml2::read_xml(x)
        # read the content of the rvg image and write it out without <?xml ... ?>
        paste(c("```{=openxml}",
                strsplit(as.character(xx), "\n")[[1]][-1],
                "```"),
              collapse = '\n')
      })
    })
    ```

# Slide 1

    ```{r, echo=FALSE, dev="dml_pptx", fig.ext="dml", dev.args=list(standalone=FALSE)}
    plot(pressure)
    ```

(code blocks indented here to keep formatting)

I can probably put in a bit of work to try to make this a smooth workflow. There are several ways to approach this: PR into knitr an option for an rvg device, make a new rmarkdown format like rvg_powerpoint, or create an object type like rvg_plot that has knit_print methods to print raw openxml blocks. I figure the latter is the most flexible and will require the least of the user. The actual rendering can delayed until knit_print is called so that the method can choose dml_docx/dvg_pptx as appropriate, and fall back to a different graphics device for older pandoc/other output formats. I think one could use officer to read the PPTX template to set the plot properties correctly.

Any thoughts on the best approach? Would you take a PR to rvg for knit_print() methods?

[davidgohel]

Hi @noamross

Sure, I would be happy! I don't have much time available for that but I will do my best to help you if necessary.

Maybe you can get help from this implementation: https://github.com/davidgohel/flextable/blob/d1bbbf6729100d06e0b35574911372391148ab99/R/printers.R#L94

I agree with you. A knitr_print method in rvg is a good option.

There maybe a difficulty when the plot contains raster as it generate png files to be registered from dir ppt/media. I have made worded that deals with that but it forces the user to use a new rmarkdown template. I have used your work to do that ;). The interested bit of code is there

I'd like to avoid Word output. The device can not really be valid as Word ML does not allow real text boxes and the position is never really what it should be. https://github.com/davidgohel/rvg/blob/master/R/dml_docx.R#L30 (... I did not remove it from the package)

[noamross]

Great. It'll take a couple of weeks but I'll get to this. Avoiding Word output makes sense. I could see a system with a series of "fall-back" devices but for now I'll keep this simple.

I could actually see a system like what you have in worded along the lines of how htmlwidgets register Javascript dependencies. Office-specific objects could register post-processing functions they require after conversion. This would require some overarching Rmd types that could handle the extensions. (Maybe officer_docx and officer_pptx) But I'm just speculating now - I need to get a simple version of this done for an upcoming project!