as.factor() in R: Converting a Vector to Categorical Data

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R as.factor() Function

The as.factor() function in R converts a vector object into a factor. Factors store unique values as levels and are essential for statistical modeling, data visualization, and ensuring the proper handling of categorical data in analyses.

Visualization of using the as.factor() Function in R

The above figure perfectly describes the conversion from vector to factor.

The main difference between factor() and as.factor() is that as.factor() does not allow us to specify the level order or ordinality, whereas the factor() function allows us.

If your input data set is vast, it will take time for level management.

Categorical data is data that is divided into distinct groups and categories. For example, colors (red, green, blue), brands (Nike, Puma, Asics), or types of cuisine (Italian, Chinese, Indian) are categories.

Categorical and numerical data in R

As you can see in the above figure, we defined two types of data:

  1. Numerical data: It consists of numbers or numeric values.
  2. Categorical data: It consists of labels that can be divided into specific groups or categories, such as mode of transportation and colors.

Syntax

as.factor(input)

Parameters

Name Description
input (required) It is a vector object.

Return value

It returns a factor object.

Converting a numeric vector to a factor

Let’s define a vector of floating values and convert it into a factor.

mixed_vec <- c(1.1, 11, 2.2, 19)

as.factor(mixed_vec)

# Output:
# [1] 1.1 11 2.2 19
# Levels: 1.1 2.2 11 19

Converting a character vector to a factor

Let’s define a vector of characters and ensure that the character vector is treated as a categorical variable in analyses.

Visual Representation of converting character vector to factor

char_vec <- c("zack", "john", "jian")

as.factor(char_vec)

# Output:
# [1] zack john jian
# Levels: jian john zack

Converting a data frame column to a factor

When it comes to a data frame, we need to apply the as.factor() method to the individual columns of it. So, let’s say we have a dataframe that has a ‘grade’ column; we will apply the method to that column, which is essentially a vector.

Figure of converting data frame column to factor in R

df <- data.frame(
  name = c("Krunal", "Ankit", "Rushabh"),
  score = c(85, 90, 78),
  subject = c("Math", "Math", "History"),
  grade = c("10th", "11th", "11th")
)

df$grade <- as.factor(df$grade)

print(df$grade)

# Output:
# [1] 10th 11th 11th
# Levels: 10th 11th

Logical vector

There are only two unique values in logic: TRUE and FALSE. Therefore, the levels would be limited to TRUE and FALSE.

flags <- c(TRUE, FALSE, TRUE)

factor_flags <- as.factor(flags)

print(factor_flags)

# Output:
# [1] TRUE FALSE TRUE
# Levels: FALSE TRUE

Handling missing values

What if the input vector contains a missing value, such as NA? In that case, NA is preserved as a factor value but not at a level.

survey <- c("Yes", "No", NA, "Yes")

factor_survey <- as.factor(survey)

print(factor_survey)

# Output:
# [1] Yes No <NA> Yes
# Levels: No Yes

That’s all!

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