Convert RIS to CSV (requires data.table)

ris2csv.R

# Reads a RIS file and converts it into a 'wide' data.table
# Where records have multiple entries for a field, eg. author or keyword, these are given numbered column names, eg. KW1, KW2 etc
# Note if the field label already has a number, this will be maintained, eg. T1 (for title) becomes T11

library(data.table)

ris2csv <- function (file) { # 'file' is the ris file in your working directory, eg. 'myrisfile.ris'
  d <- readLines(file)
  d <- strsplit(d, "  - ", fixed = T)
  d[sapply(d, length) == 0] <- 'NEW RECORD'
  d <- do.call(rbind, d)
  d <- data.table(d)
  names(d) <- c('field', 'value')
  d$id <- cumsum(d$field == 'NEW RECORD')
  d$fieldid <- paste0(d$field, rowid(d$id, d$field))
  d <- d[field != 'NEW RECORD']
  dcast(d, id ~ fieldid, value.var = 'value')
}