Non-numeric matrix to string

Hi i am trying to import an excel file to matlab and convert the matrix crated into a string in order for me to use sscanf to format the file to show certain information. However this matrix contains data such as " 34WP01"....any ideas? I tried using the mat2str function but its telling me the matrix must be numeric.

Answer 1

[Geoff]

It's not a matrix. It's a cell array.

You can try converting the whole thing to strings with something like:

[M{:}]

Where M is your array... But that joins them with no spaces... How about adding a space to each entry maybe:

Msp = cellfun(@(x) [x,' '], x, 'uni', 0);
Mstr = [Msp{:}]

Bit hacky, I know... But it might work for you.

Otherwise maybe you want to use regexp. It'll work on cell arrays of strings. Then you probably won't require sscanf.

[Walter Roberson]

With spaces between:

Mt = strcat(M(:).', {' '});

joined_string = deblank([Mt{:}]);

This does make assumptions about how you want them joined. It would not be suitable (as-is) for joining row-by-row in a cell array.

[Diego Tasso]

Thanks Geoff and Walter; I tried doing what you said using the deblank and cellfun functions you suggested however I found it more useful to use the regexp function; did not know it existed.Thanks again !