Using Shiny inputs inside a DataTable output - r

Question

I would like to dynamically create a series of input widgets to use in each row of data table. I am successfully able to display such a list of inputs in the table, however I'm having trouble accessing the value of these dynamic inputs.
ui.R
library(shiny)
ui <- fluidPage(
fluidRow(
radioButtons('original','Normal Radio Button',c('1','2','3','4','5')),
DT::dataTableOutput("table")
)
)
server.R
library(DT)
multipleRadio <- function(FUN, id_nums, id_base, label, choices, ...) {
inputs <- 1:length(id_nums)
for (i in 1:length(inputs)) {
inputs[i] <- as.character(FUN(paste0(id_base, id_nums[i]),label, choices, ...))
}
return(inputs)
}
radio_inputs <- multipleRadio(radioButtons,
as.character(1:3),
'input_',
'Radio Button',
c('1','2','3','4','5'),
inline = TRUE)
output_table <- data.frame(id = c(1,2,3),
name=c('Item 1','Item 2','Item 3'),
select = radio_inputs)
server <- function(input, output, session) {
observe({
print(paste('original: ',input$original))
print(paste('input 1: ',input$input_1))
print(paste('input 2: ',input$input_2))
print(paste('input 3: ',input$input_3))
})
output$table <- renderDataTable({
datatable(output_table,rownames= FALSE,escape = FALSE,selection='single',
options = list(paging = FALSE,ordering=FALSE,searching=FALSE))
})
}
I define a function which generates multiple radioButton inputs and converts them into their HTML representation using as.character. This generates a series of inputs whose ids are "input_1", "input_2", and "input_3." I fill a column of the output table with the radio inputs. The display of the radioButtons works as expected. I see one in each row. However, input$input_1,input$input_2, and input$input_3 don't seem to exist and there is no response to clicking on these buttons. Any tips on what's going wrong here would be greatly appreciated!
Edit:
I found a solution here:
http://www.stackoverflow.red/questions/32993257/shiny-datatables-with-interactive-elements
Using the Shiny.bindAll function when rendering the datatable appears to convert the HTML inputs into Shiny input objects.
output$table <- renderDataTable({
datatable(output_table,rownames= FALSE,escape = FALSE,selection='single',
options = list(paging = FALSE,ordering=FALSE,searching=FALSE,
preDrawCallback=JS('function() { Shiny.unbindAll(this.api().table().node()); }'),
drawCallback=JS('function() { Shiny.bindAll(this.api().table().node()); } ')))
})

Answer 1

A correct shiny input object is a shiny.tag object, which you cannot put into a data.frame. If you do so, you'll get the following error message:
Error in as.data.frame.default(x[[i]], optional = TRUE,
stringsAsFactors = stringsAsFactors) : cannot coerce class
""shiny.tag"" to a data.frame
In your example, the radio_inputs object you get is in fact a list of character, which is pure HTML code. Thus you still get the UI, but they no longer work as shiny inputs.
I guess the only way is to use a pure HTML table if you want radio buttons or any other shiny input objects inside a table.