Reading the numeric columns from a mixed data type file

I have a file (attached below) output.mat

I am trying to read the data but everytime I need to manually copy/edit and paste in a new file because the file won't have the same format in every simulation. But one thing is for sure that there will be a numeric data like

time voltage voltage

t1 t2

(3 column data)

.

.

I want to read this data automatically by detecting the headers (time voltage v(t1) and voltage v(t2)). I am not sure how can I read strings in a file. I am currently trying to read individual characters and it takes a lot of efforts still doesn't work. It would be great if you have any suggestions. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

[Cris LaPierre]

Look into readtable. Tables support mixed data types, and will use the headers as the variable names.

You could also use the Import Data tool to interactively set up your import, and then generate a function to reuse. See Import Text Files.

[Jay Vaidya]

Thanks, I needed fair bit of codes to decode the text file but finally I got it working.