How to write a test for a ggplot plot

Question

I have a lot of functions that generate plots, typically with ggplot2. Right now, I\'m generating the plot and testing the underlying data. But I\'d like to know if there\'s

Answer 1

What I also find useful in addition to the existing answers, is to test if a plot can actually be printed.

library(ggplot2)
library(scales) # for percent()
library(testthat)

# First, 'correct' data frame
df <- data.frame(
    Response   = LETTERS[1:5],
    Proportion = c(0.1,0.2,0.1,0.2,0.4)
)

# Second data frame where column has 'wrong' name that does not match aes()
df2 <- data.frame(
    x          = LETTERS[1:5],
    Proportion = c(0.1,0.2,0.1,0.2,0.4)
)

plot_fun <- function(df) {
    p1 <- ggplot(df, aes(Response, Proportion)) +
        geom_bar(stat='identity') + 
        scale_y_continuous(labels = percent)
    return(p1)
}

# All tests succeed
test_that("Scale is labelled 'Proportion'",{
    p <- plot_fun(df)
    expect_true(is.ggplot(p))
    expect_identical(p$labels$y, "Proportion")

    p <- plot_fun(df2)
    expect_true(is.ggplot(p))
    expect_identical(p$labels$y, "Proportion")
})

# Second test with data frame df2 fails
test_that("Printing ggplot object actually works",{
    p <- plot_fun(df)
    expect_error(print(p), NA)

    p <- plot_fun(df2)
    expect_error(print(p), NA)
})
#> Error: Test failed: 'Printing ggplot object actually works'
#> * `print(p)` threw an error.
#> Message: object 'Response' not found
#> Class:   simpleError/error/condition