Combine duplicates in a cell array

I have a huge cell array. Column 1 has duplicate material numbers. Column 3, 4 contains numbers that I want to add. Column 2 contain either texts or alphanumerals which I just want to retain.

'Material Number' 'Material Description' 'Quantity withdrawn' 'Value Withdrawn'

107552 Material A 5 $40

18042 Material 5B 1 $90

107552 Material A 1 $8

Desired Output:

'Material Number' 'Material Description' 'Quantity withdrawn' 'Value Withdrawn'

107552 Material A 6 $48

18042 Material 5B 1 $90

I'm not sure how to do this in case of celltype. I tried with just number (double) and it worked.

Answer 1

[Ameer Hamza]

Try this example

C = {107552, 'Material A', 5, 40; ...
     18042, 'Material 5B', 1, 90; ...
     107552, 'Material A', 1, 8};

ids = [C{:,1}].';
result = splitapply(@(x) {[x(1,1:2) sum([x{:,3}]) sum([x{:,4}])]}, C, findgroups(ids));
result = vertcat(result{:});

Result

>> result
result =
  2×4 cell array
    {[ 18042]}    {'Material 5B'}    {[1]}    {[90]}
    {[107552]}    {'Material A' }    {[6]}    {[48]}

[Anirudh Peralai Ravisundar]

Thanks a lot. It works. I just need to study more about splitapply to use to elsewhere.

[Ameer Hamza]

I am glad to be of help!

Yes, splitapply can be a very useful tool if applied correctly.