How can I skip empty cells when averaging during a function?

Hi,

I have a function in which I average the values of the doubles within each cell of a cell array.

for i = 1:length(explained_balls)
    explained_pc1_avg_part_x_phase(1,2) = mean(explained_balls{i}(1,:));
end

Unrecognized function or variable 'explained_balls'.

Because I have a cell which is empty I get the error

Index in position 1 exceeds array bounds.

I was wondering if I can write the functiion so that it skips the empty cell and doesnt throw the error? Help is greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

[Chunru]

load explained_balls
whos

  Name                 Size            Bytes  Class    Attributes

  ans                  1x44               88  char               
  cmdout               1x33               66  char               
  explained_balls      1x15             3912  cell               

for i = 1:length(explained_balls)
    %explained_balls{i}
    if isempty(explained_balls{i})
        explained_pc1_avg_part_x_phase(i) = NaN;  % or 0
    else
        % explained_pc1_avg_part_x_phase(1,2) = mean(explained_balls{i}(1,:));
        % The above find average of the 1st row, which is a single number.
        % Check it out!!!
        explained_pc1_avg_part_x_phase(i) = mean(explained_balls{i});
    end
end
explained_balls

explained_balls = 1×15 cell array
    {21×1 double}    {21×1 double}    {21×1 double}    {21×1 double}    {21×1 double}    {21×1 double}    {21×1 double}    {21×1 double}    {0×0 double}    {21×1 double}    {21×1 double}    {21×1 double}    {21×1 double}    {21×1 double}    {21×1 double}

explained_pc1_avg_part_x_phase

explained_pc1_avg_part_x_phase = 1×15

4.7619 4.7619 4.7619 4.7619 4.7619 4.7619 4.7619 4.7619 NaN 4.7619 4.7619 4.7619 4.7619 4.7619 4.7619