Way to output a matrix or dat file

I am new to matlab, and trying to figure out a way to ouput. I would like to output into a data file or matrix variable. I have it calculating in a for loop because it goes through a matrix of symbols I have.

symbol1 symbol2 egcitestpvalue

It doesn't appear to like when I try to mix and match numerical data with text. What is the best way to have it output versus having it go to the command window. I would like some sort of grid I can export, sort in excel, etc.

[Jan]

Please explain the number, type and dimensions of the variable you want to write to the file. Then specify how you want to read the file later, from MATLAB, Excel or a text editor?

[Chris]

Hi Jan

Is there a way to within a for loop have a variable that dynamically sizes as it needs more space?

Is there a variable type where I could store a matrix of alpha and numeric data in one variable to be later exported to excel

XYZ ABC 5

ABC EFG 3

[Walter Roberson]

{'XYZ' 'ABC' 5; 'ABC' 'EFG' 3}

[Jan]

@Chris: Look for "cell" in the documentation for an array type, which can store objects of different size and type.

Please post an code example for your question about the dynamically sized variable.

Answer 1

[Rick Rosson]

I am not sure if csvwrite will work with strings. You may need to use xlswrite instead, or you could try to create your own customized function using fprintf. For example:

   function myFileExport(filename,A)

       csv = fopen(filename,'w');

       fprintf(csv, ... );
       fprintf(csv, ... );

       ...

       fclose(csv);

   end

HTH.

Rick

Answer 2

[Rick Rosson]

Hi Chris,

There are several different ways to accomplish what you are asking.

One option is to export your data to MS Excel using either csvwrite or xlswrite. For more information about these two functions:

   >> doc csvwrite

OR

   >> doc xlswrite

HTH.

Rick

Answer 3

[Rick Rosson]

Another option is to use fprintf to print formatted output to a text file rather than to the Command Window. So, for example:

   x = pi;
   filename = 'myfile.txt';
   txt = fopen(filename,'w');
   fprintf(txt,'The value of variable x is: %15.9f \n',x);
   ...
   ...
   fclose(txt);

For more information:

   >> doc fprintf

HTH.

Rick

Answer 4

[Rick Rosson]

A third option, if you want very nicely formatted output in the form of an HTML or PDF document, would be to use the publish command. This approach would require you to create a simple MATLAB script using "cell mode", comments, and commands that display your data to the Command Window. You can then call the publish command to create a formatted document in a variety of standard formats, including HTML and PDF.

For more information:

   >> doc publish

HTH.

Rick

Answer 5

[Chris]

Thanks everyone for your help. I noticed that if I removed the parfor command and made it a for loop instead I was able to use the cell matrix that Jan recommended.

I like the idea of the cvswrite. I tried this but for some reason when I write to the file it takes a text like ABC and write is like A,B,C. This is a newb question but how do I keep the ABC together and have it put the comma after the text