Replace Missing Values Using Last Observation Carried Forward

Replaces missing values by carrying forward the last observed value, with control over both minimum and maximum gap sizes to fill.

Usage

replace_na_locf(x, min_gap = 1, max_gap = Inf)

Arguments

x

A vector containing numeric data with missing values (NAs)

min_gap

Integer specifying minimum gap size to fill. Gaps shorter than this will be left as NA. Default is 1 (fill all gaps).

max_gap

Integer or Inf specifying maximum gap size to fill. Gaps longer than this will be left as NA. Default is Inf (no upper limit).

Value

A numeric vector with NA values replaced by the last observed value where gap length criteria are met.

Details

The function applies both minimum and maximum gap criteria:

• Gaps shorter than min_gap are left as NA

• Gaps longer than max_gap are left as NA

• Only gaps that meet both criteria are filled If both parameters are specified, min_gap must be less than or equal to max_gap.

Examples

if (FALSE) { # \dontrun{
x <- c(1, NA, NA, 4, 5, NA, NA, NA, 9)
replace_na_locf(x)  # fills all gaps
replace_na_locf(x, min_gap = 2)  # only gaps >= 2
replace_na_locf(x, max_gap = 2)  # only gaps <= 2
replace_na_locf(x, min_gap = 2, max_gap = 3)  # gaps between 2 and 3
} # }