Importing multiple .dat files in MATLAB

I have multiple(100-200) .dat files which contain data,when I open them in matlab it opens in import tab. I want to write a generic program so that all data can be accessed from 1 script. I mean all data should be accessible from work-space, and each .dat file could be represented in a cell array.

I have tried to generate a function , from default import function but I cannot do it for 100 files. Uploading 5 dat files for example, if someone could help me write a generic code, for these 5 files, and can be extended to 100 files. Thanks in advance

[per isakson]

Each file contains three blocks of data

• Offset
• Scaling Factor
• Data

together with some header information.

What should be store in variables?

[Anirudh Mehta]

I need only the data.!which should include time , mass flow, screw speed,feed factor... till batch weight.!Open the file in delimited mode. you can see the data in attached file, which i want. thanks in advance

[per isakson]

Don't you need the start time, e.g.

Start Data: 9/12/2016 7:46:30 PM 552 ms

[Anirudh Mehta]

If it is there its good, otherwise it is fine.

Answer 1

[KSSV]

    datfiles = dir('*.dat') ;   % get all dat files in the folder 
    N = length(Datfiles) ;      % total number of files 
    for i = 1:N  % loop for each file 
        thisfile = datfiles(i).name 
       % do what you want
    end

[Anirudh Mehta]

It does not import data..! I want to import 1 .dat file as a cell array..! Thanks for your help.!

[KSSV]

The above code....give the names of all .dat files.....you need to use a function to load....I have shown only the part of accessing files.

Answer 2

[per isakson]

Try

>> out = cssm( 'h:\m\cssm\trial*.dat' )

it should return

out = 
1x5 struct array with fields:
    name
    time
    colhead
    data

where

function  out = cssm( glob )

      sas = reshape( dir( glob ), 1,[] );
      folder = fileparts( glob );

      out = struct( 'name', {}, 'time',{}, 'colhead',{}, 'data',{} ); 
      for s = sas % loop over all files  

          dat.name = s.name;
          str = fileread( fullfile( folder, s.name ) );

          cac = regexp( str, '(?m)^Start Data:(.+)$', 'tokens', 'once' );

          dat.time = strtrim( cac{:} );

          cac = textscan( str, '%[^\n]', 1, 'Headerlines',8, 'Delimiter','\n' );
          dat.colhead = strsplit(  cac{:}{:} );

          cac = textscan( str, repmat('%f', size(dat.colhead))                    ...
                      ,   'Headerlines',9, 'Collectoutput',true, 'Delimiter','\t' );

          dat.data = cac{1};

          out = cat( 2, out, dat );
      end
  end

[Anirudh Mehta]

did not get

out = cssm( 'h:\m\cssm\trial*.dat' )
out = 
1x5 struct array with fields:
    name
    time
    colhead
    data

this part.?

[per isakson]

Do you know how to create and use a Matlab function?

If not, see for example https://matlabacademy.mathworks.com/R2017b/portal.html?course=mlbe#chapter=12&lesson=1&section=1

Do you know Matlab stuctures?