Cannot read .xslx file

I am trying to read in the attached .xslx file. It is a very simple file: thirteen rows, four columns, all string data. Neither readcell nor readtable works properly. With readcell I get only the first column of data. With readtable I get an error:

>> f = readtable('Agora_I_4985.xlsx')
Error using readtable
Index exceeds the number of array elements. Index must not exceed 1. 
517     throw(ME)
K>> 

Given the simplicity of the file, I am very surprised that this doesn't just work out of the box. What am I missing?

Answer 1

[Star Strider]

The R2024a version of readtable has no problems with it. Does this seem to be correct?

T1 = readtable('Agora_I_4985.xlsx', 'VariableNamingRule','preserve')

T1 = 12x4 table
      Agora_I_4985_Rotation1_300dpi_line01.png        Agora_I_4985_Rotation2_300dpi_line01.png         STOKAI          STOKAI_1   
    ____________________________________________    ____________________________________________    _____________    _____________

    {'Agora_I_4985_Rotation1_300dpi_line02.png'}    {'Agora_I_4985_Rotation2_300dpi_line02.png'}    {'ODIKOSES' }    {'*DIKOSE*' }
    {'Agora_I_4985_Rotation1_300dpi_line03.png'}    {'Agora_I_4985_Rotation2_300dpi_line03.png'}    {'IHIDIKHT' }    {'IHIDIKHT' }
    {'Agora_I_4985_Rotation1_300dpi_line04.png'}    {'Agora_I_4985_Rotation2_300dpi_line04.png'}    {'OSENNEAR' }    {'OSENNEA*' }
    {'Agora_I_4985_Rotation1_300dpi_line05.png'}    {'Agora_I_4985_Rotation2_300dpi_line05.png'}    {'AYTOIDI'  }    {'AYTOID*'  }
    {'Agora_I_4985_Rotation1_300dpi_line06.png'}    {'Agora_I_4985_Rotation2_300dpi_line06.png'}    {'NEANTISA' }    {'NEANTISA' }
    {'Agora_I_4985_Rotation1_300dpi_line07.png'}    {'Agora_I_4985_Rotation2_300dpi_line07.png'}    {'SIASEANTO'}    {'SIASEANT*'}
    {'Agora_I_4985_Rotation1_300dpi_line08.png'}    {'Agora_I_4985_Rotation2_300dpi_line08.png'}    {'ODONAIEAN'}    {'ODONAIEA*'}
    {'Agora_I_4985_Rotation1_300dpi_line09.png'}    {'Agora_I_4985_Rotation2_300dpi_line09.png'}    {'NPOLEWSAP'}    {'NPOLEWSAP'}
    {'Agora_I_4985_Rotation1_300dpi_line10.png'}    {'Agora_I_4985_Rotation2_300dpi_line10.png'}    {'NIOSAQHN' }    {'NIOSAQHN' }
    {'Agora_I_4985_Rotation1_300dpi_line11.png'}    {'Agora_I_4985_Rotation2_300dpi_line11.png'}    {'KAIPROSO' }    {'*AIPROS*' }
    {'Agora_I_4985_Rotation1_300dpi_line12.png'}    {'Agora_I_4985_Rotation2_300dpi_line12.png'}    {'ILIONM'   }    {'ILIONM'   }
    {'Agora_I_4985_Rotation1_300dpi_line13.png'}    {'Agora_I_4985_Rotation2_300dpi_line13.png'}    {'EAFE'     }    {'*AF*'     }

It is possible that you have a variable named ‘readtable’. To check, run this from a script or your Command Window —

which readtable -all

/MATLAB/toolbox/matlab/iofun/readtable.m
/MATLAB/toolbox/shared/io/general/+matlab/+io/@ImportOptions/ImportOptions.m  % matlab.io.text.DelimitedTextImportOptions method

The result should be exactly as it is here. If ther are other entries, that is likely the problem. The solution is to re-name the variable to something that does not overshadow any MATLAB function, and makes sense in the context of the code using it.

.

[Nicholas Howe]

I do not have any variables named readtable. By stepping through with the debugger, I can verify that the exception is being thrown somewhere inside DetectImportOptionsSpreadsheet. Also, I am experiencing the same problem with R2023b.

>> which readtable -all
C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2023b\toolbox\matlab\iofun\readtable.m
C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2023b\toolbox\shared\io\general\+matlab\+io\@ImportOptions\ImportOptions.m  % matlab.io.ImportOptions method
>> 

[Nicholas Howe]

Here is the stack just before the exception is triggered. It happens on the second iteration of a loop.

K>> dbstack
> In matlab.io.internal.detectMetaRows>fillBlankTypes (line 45)
In matlab.io.internal.detectMetaRows (line 25)
In matlab.io.internal.detectTypes (line 34)
In matlab.io.internal.functions/DetectImportOptionsSpreadsheet/getOptsFromSheet (line 135)
In matlab.io.internal.functions/DetectImportOptionsSpreadsheet/execute (line 40)
In matlab.io.internal.functions/DetectImportOptions/execute (line 75)
In matlab.io.internal.functions/ReadTable/execute (line 35)
In matlab.io.internal.functions/ExecutableFunction/validateAndExecute (line 68)
In readtable (line 514)
K>> 

[Star Strider]

My only suggestion is to re-start MATLAB, and be certain you have all the available updates installed. Check that by clicking on the top toolbar ‘Resources’ tab —> ‘Help’ —> ‘Check for Updates’. (I have never seen the problem you are having before.)

If that fails to solve the problem, Contact Support.

[Nicholas Howe]

I can confirm that this happens with my fresh install of R2024a. I will contact support as you suggest.

[Star Strider]

Another option is to use MATLAB Online until you can get the problem with your home installation repaired. It has all the Toolboxes you have licensed, however only those. You can copy-paste the results if necessary, and copy-paste any code you write to your home installation.

To import the file to MATLAB Online, you can either use the ‘Import Data’ tab to import the file, or:

filename = websave('Agora_I_4985','https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/uploaded_files/1659291/Agora_I_4985.xlsx')

T1 = readtable(filename, 'VariableNamingRule','preserve')

in your script to read it and work with it.

(I just now tested those commands in MATLAB Online to confirm that they work. They do, and the file imoprts correctly.)

.