Create Diagonal Matrix Using Microsoft Excel Ribbon

This example shows how to execute Spreadsheet Link™ functions to export a named range in a worksheet to MATLAB^® and create a diagonal matrix using the Microsoft^® Excel^® ribbon.

The MATLAB group on the Microsoft Excel ribbon contains commands for common Spreadsheet Link functions. For the list of common functions, see Execute Spreadsheet Link Functions.

This example assumes that MATLAB is running after Microsoft Excel opens. For starting MATLAB, see Start and Stop Spreadsheet Link and MATLAB.

In a worksheet, enter the numbers 1 through 5 into the range of cells from A1 through E1. Define the name testData for this range of cells and select it. For instructions, see Excel Help and enter the search term: define and use names in formulas.

The named range testData appears in the Name Box.

On the Home tab of the Microsoft Excel ribbon, click the MATLAB group in the top-right corner. Then, select Send named ranges to MATLAB. When you select this command, the software executes MLPutRanges.

Microsoft Excel exports the named range testData into the MATLAB variable testData in the MATLAB workspace.

Select the MATLAB group option Run MATLAB Command. When you select this command, Microsoft Excel displays a dialog box. Next, create a diagonal matrix. Use the diag function to specify testData as the input argument and d as the output argument. Enter this MATLAB command in the dialog box and click OK.

d = diag(testData)

The software executes the MLEvalString function. The MATLAB variable d appears in the MATLAB workspace and contains a diagonal matrix.

Retrieve the diagonal matrix into the worksheet by selecting cell A3. Select the MATLAB group option Get data from MATLAB. When you select this command, Microsoft Excel displays a dialog box. Retrieve the diagonal matrix in d by entering d in the dialog box and clicking OK. The software executes the MLGetMatrix function.

The diagonal matrix displays in cells A3 through E7.