Subscript in a char in R

Question

How can we print H₂O in R? And, I am not looking for labels sub/superscripted in plots. I want to run:

cat("H2O")

And see H₂O

I think we should try `var=expression(paste(H[2], O))` for subscript or `var=expression(paste(H^2, O))` for superscript, check this [Link](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/10156417/subscripts-in-plots-in-r) — Adji, Jan 15 '20 at 03:36

Tim Biegeleisen · Answer 1 · 2020-01-15T03:51:27.727

1

Using a one-liner with the UTF-8 character for subscript 2:

paste0("H", "\u2082", "O")
[1] "H₂O"

The UTF-8 character for subscript two as an R string literal is "\u2082.

Note that if your R console/tool be already UTF-8 enabled, then you should simply be able to use a literal string, e.g.

"H₂O"
[1] "H₂O"

edited Jan 15 '20 at 03:51

answered Jan 15 '20 at 02:48

Tim Biegeleisen

This doesn't seem to show properly in my RGui terminal, but does if copy-pasted elsewhere. I wonder if that is part of the current issue for OP. – thelatemail Jan 15 '20 at 02:53
1

@thelatemail Then maybe the OP's R terminal does not have UTF-8 support enabled. It [does work in this online R demo](https://rextester.com/QHBY74664). – Tim Biegeleisen Jan 15 '20 at 02:55
I'll have to keep on looking for UTF-8 codes for each sub/superscripted char. – robinhoodjr Jan 15 '20 at 03:42
@robinhoodjr You need to enable UTF-8 support in your R tool. – Tim Biegeleisen Jan 15 '20 at 03:51

1 Answers1