Fabric synapse runtime in VS Code for R language

[FlavioLeccese]

Hi,

I have been struggling to find a way to proficiently use R language in Fabric notebooks.

Since online notebooks don't offer minimum features such as code autocompletion, syntax higlighting and so on, I tried to use synapse runtime in vs code and successfully made it work for python (pyspark) kernel.

However, I really need to use SparkR engine and I can't figure out the best way (or workaround) to proficiently do that.

• When using fabric-synapse-runtime for python, It returns an error when running a cell with %%sparkr
• When using a jupyter R kernel, If I open a SparkR notebook, I am not connected to the spark engine on Fabric losing all Fabric functionalities

Alternatively, is there a way to remotely connect to the spark engine in a Fabric workspace?

Are these features (basic functionalities for R users) in a roadmap?

Thank you,

Flavio

[FlavioLeccese]

I have SparkR installed on local and Fabric notebook is in SparkR:

However still Synapse runtime does not recognize it.

Searching the internet it appears that this feature is not provided. Do you confirm?
I also tried to create a pyspark notebook and use %%SparkR but still no results.

[v-shex-msft]

HI @FlavioLeccese,

Have you tried to install the sparkR package on the local and setting the primary language to sparkR?

Use SparkR - Microsoft Fabric | Microsoft Learn

In addition, you can also try to use the open notebook in vscode web version if helps:

Create and manage Fabric notebooks from VS Code for the Web - Microsoft Fabric | Microsoft Learn

Regards,

Xiaoxin Sheng