r - Error: zipping up workbook failed when trying to write.xlsx

Question

I was trying to write a xlsx file with write.xlsx and I get this error:

Error: zipping up workbook failed. Please make sure Rtools is installed or a zip application is available to R.
     Try installr::install.rtools() on Windows.

package ‘Rtools’ is not available (for R version 3.1.2) 

What should I do now to fix this?

EDIT: I install Rtools:

>installr::install.rtools()

No need to install Rtools - You've got the relevant version of Rtools installed

but still I get that error after write.xlsx

Answer 1

You should check the R_ZIPCMD system variable:

Sys.getenv("R_ZIPCMD", "zip")   

The default value: "zip". But it can happen that you have to set the environment variable. If you know exactly the location, you can set it:

Sys.setenv(R_ZIPCMD= "C:/SOMETHING_PATH/Rtools/bin/zip")   

I had the same problem, but setting the R_ZIPCMD solved it.