How can I create shortcuts by commands?

I'm wondering whether it is possible to create shortcuts on the toolbar by commands. I am going to release my GUI and I hope any user can install it by running a script (to add path and create a shortcut on the tool bar). Does Matlab have this kind of function/command? I just want to make the installation process simple so that even if the user is not familar with MATLAB can install the GUI by just a click. Any solution is welcome.

Answer 1

[Image Analyst]

The shortcuts are stored in an XML file:

C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\MathWorks\MATLAB\R2013b\shortcuts_2.xml

where username is whatever name the user logged in as. It's not easy, but you could have your installer add a shortcut to that file by writing the appropriate XML commands in there. Take a look in the file at some of your existing shortcuts to see what you'll need to do.

[Yao Li]

Thank-you. But will it result in problem in the previous Matlab release? I hope this method can be implemented at least in MATLAB 2008a.

[Image Analyst]

They didn't use the _2 in earlier versions like that one. I think the solution offered by per looks like the easiest way for you.

Answer 2

[per isakson]

• There is a file shortcuts_2.xml "in" prefdir, which "contains" the shortcuts. "First, make a backup ..."
• See in FEX: Shortcut tools

Answer 3

[Matt Tearle]

If you're running 12b or later, why not just package and distribute your application as an app ? Then your users simply run the .mlappinstall file and your app is added to their toolstrip.