You can use R.utils (on CRAN) to help you figure out why the file is not found or not readable.
library("R.utils"); pathname <- C:/Documents and Settings/ashta/My Documents/R_data/rel.dat"; pathname <- Arguments$getReadablePathname(pathname); rel <- read.table(pathname, quote="", header=FALSE, sep="", col.names=c("id","orel","nrel")); If the file is not found it gives an error an tries to tell you why, e.g. > Arguments$getReadablePathname("C:/Windows/system32/cmd.exe") [1] "C:/Windows/system32/cmd.exe" > Arguments$getReadablePathname("C:/Windows/system323/cmd.exe") Error in list(`Arguments$getReadablePathname("C:/Windows/system323/cmd.exe")` = <environment>, : [2009-09-25 10:11:57] Exception: Pathname not found: C:/Windows/system323/cmd.exe (C:/Windows/ exists, but nothing beyond) at throw(Exception(...)) at throw.default("Pathname not found: ", pathname, reason) at throw("Pathname not found: ", pathname, reason) at method(static, ...) at Arguments$getReadablePathname("C:/Windows/system323/cmd.exe") It will also tell you if the file exists, but you don't have the permission to read it. Second, your error message reports on a pathname that starts with 'file=', which I've never seen; cannot open file 'file=C:/Documents and Settings/sewalem/MyDocuments/R_data/rel.dat': Invalid argument what version of R are you use, i.e. what does sessionInfo() give? Third, it is true that backslashes need to be escaped. However, *forward-slashes* work with *any platform*. I stick with the latter so I don't have to think about it. It should make no difference in your case. My $.02 /Henrik On Fri, Sep 25, 2009 at 7:32 AM, Michael A. Miller <mmill...@iupui.edu> wrote: > Sometimes it is easiest to open a file using a file selection > widget. I keep this in my .Rprofile: > > getOpenFile <- function(...){ > require(tcltk) > return(tclvalue(tkgetOpenFile())) > } > > With this you can find your file and open it with > > rel <- read.table(getOpenFile(), quote="", header=FALSE, sep="", > col.names=c("id","orel","nrel")) > > or > > filename <- getOpenFile() > rel <- read.table(filename, quote="", header=FALSE, sep="", > col.names=c("id","orel","nrel")) > > Mike > > > P.S. I keep a couple functions on hand for choosing writable files > and directories too... > > getSaveFile <- function(...){ > require(tcltk) > return(tclvalue(tkgetSaveFile())) > } > > chooseDir <- function(...){ > require(tcltk) > return(tclvalue(tkchooseDirectory())) > } > > ______________________________________________ > R-help@r-project.org mailing list > https://stat.ethz.ch/mailman/listinfo/r-help > PLEASE do read the posting guide http://www.R-project.org/posting-guide.html > and provide commented, minimal, self-contained, reproducible code. > ______________________________________________ R-help@r-project.org mailing list https://stat.ethz.ch/mailman/listinfo/r-help PLEASE do read the posting guide http://www.R-project.org/posting-guide.html and provide commented, minimal, self-contained, reproducible code.