How to install RStudio
Warning:
Make sure you have installed R first to prevent errors.
You can download RStudio using the instructions below.
- Go to this RStudio download link.
- Click the blue download button. The button will change depending on your operating system, but it should say something like "Download RStudio for Mac" and look like this:
Alternatively, you can select the download for your operating system from the installers table:
- Run the downloaded file and follow its instructions.
FAQS
What is RStudio?
RStudio is the program that we write R in. It is an "IDE" or "Integrated Development Environment". This means that it is a tool for coding (a "Development Environment") where all of the stages of coding -- writing, running, and debugging -- are combined (or "Integrated") in one place.
You can technically use any IDE (such as Sublime or Visual Studio) to write R, but RStudio is the preferred IDE because it was specifically designed to work with R and, therefore, is the most intuitive.
Where are we installing RStudio from?
We are downloading RStudio from RStudio's official website.
What if the download link/button doesn't work?
If for any reason the download link or button doesn't work, you can still download RStudio by following the steps below:
- Go to RStudio's official website.
- Click the "Download" option at the top of the screen.
- Click the "Download" button under the "RStudio Desktop Open Source License Free" heading.
- Selecting the download link next to your operating system from the "All Installers" table. It should look like this:
How do I check what version of RStudio I have installed?
- Open RStudio.
- At the top of the screen, select RStudio > About RStudio.
What if I already have RStudio installed? How do I update it?
- Open RStudio.
- At the top of the screen, select Help > Check for Updates.
What if RStudio won't open?
See RStudio's official page on troubleshooting RStudio not starting.
What if I still have an issue installing RStudio?
If you are in a course or research group that uses R, the fastest way is to get help is to ask instructors, TAs, or classmates for help.
If you are not able to do so, consider these resources:
- searching Stack Overflow for someone with a similar issue or posting an issue yourself
- searching RStudio's official community for someone with a similar issue or posting an issue yourself