Sudden error "Conversion to double from struct is not possible"

The error message occurred suddenly after many successful runs of a script and without altering the line nor any near it. tried in command window and the result was the same. The line appears to be a precise replica of the example line in Matlab help.

>> set(gcf,'WindowState','maximized')

Error using set

Conversion to double from struct is not possible.

The Products box below will not allow me to enter MATLAB

The tags box below will not allow me to enter anything!

Answer 1

[Walter Roberson]

You might have assigned a value to a variable named gcf

Or possibly you introduced a new function named gcf

which gcf

[David Slater]

Walter,

Many thanks. In an abortive attempt to add a title or name to a figure, I did give gcf a name, but I have tried this morning to delete it using delete(gcf), delete(gcf.name) clear(gcf) and clear(gcf.name). All of these result in error messages: the first two result in "Name must be a text scalar"; the second two result in "Reference to non-existent field 'name'". How can I get rid of this assignment?

I will raise my difficulty in adding a title to a whole figure, rather than one or more axes within it, as a separate question, unless you can conveniently cover it under this one.

Any thoughts on what was going wrong with the Add a Question form not allowing Matlab as a product and figure or gcf as key words?

David.

[Walter Roberson]

clear gcf

[David Slater]

Thanks, Walter.

clear gcf works OK, and gcf disappears from the workspace, but running the script results in the same error message,

"Error using set

"Conversion to double from struct is not possible.

"Error in DraftThesis (line 765)

set(gcf,'WindowState','maximized')"

I use the command

"set(gcf,'WindowState','maximized')" without the double quotes

several times in the sript, and now the error message appears once each time I run the script, referring to line number of a different occurrence each time. As I mentioned earlier, I had run the script several times a day for several months since I included these commands without any error message.

The script is quite big, about 1000 lines including comments, but I would happily send it to you if that would help.

David.

[Steven Lord]

Set an error breakpoint and run your code. When MATLAB stops at the debug prompt (K>>) run the following commands and show us what they display. This will check if you've accidentally created a variable or local function that's taking precedence over the built-in functions by these names.

which -all set
which -all gcf

[David Slater]

Steven,

Thanks indeed for your response and for your collective perseverence.

I have implemented your suggestions and the result is as follows. I have copied the entire command window, but the first few lines may not be relevant.

It looks as though I have created a variable called gcf and failed to delete it. The variables list in the workspace shows it as a structure variable. It looks a sthough the problem would be solved if I could get rid of it.

David.

>> DraftThesis

File =

'DraftThesis'

ActReq =

6×7 table

Frequency_Name Frequency Linear_Velocity Volume_Velocity Displacement Pressure Cochlear_Impedance

__________________ _________ _______________ _______________ ____________ ________ __________________

"Min frequency" 98 0.367 1.77 0.6 125 71

"Max velocity" 551 1.296 6.24 0.37 633 101

"Max displacement" 98 0.367 1.77 0.6 125 71

"Max pressure" 328 0.719 3.46 0.35 1470 424

"Max impedance" 328 0.719 3.46 0.35 1470 424

"Max frequency" 1026 0.882 4.25 0.14 302 71

Error using set

Conversion to double from struct is not possible.

Error in DraftThesis (line 484)

set(gcf,'WindowState','maximized')

>> which -all set

built-in (C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\matlab\graphics\objectsystem\set)

set is a Java method % com.mathworks.mde.editor.breakpoints.MatlabBreakpoint method

set is a Java method % com.mathworks.mlservices.debug.breakpoint.PositionalBreakpoint method

set is a Java method % com.mathworks.mlservices.debug.breakpoint.BreakpointBase method

set is a Java method % java.util.ArrayList method

set is a Java method % java.util.AbstractList method

set is a Java method % java.util.List method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.internal.mixin.Printable method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.internal.mixin.Windowable method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.Figure method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.internal.mixin.AutoResizable method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.internal.mixin.AxesLimits method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.internal.mixin.Legacy method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.internal.mixin.FontRenderable method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.internal.mixin.KeyInvokable method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.internal.mixin.NoMarginsUnitsOnlyPositionable method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.internal.mixin.Positionable method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.internal.mixin.Selectable method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.internal.mixin.Scrollable method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.internal.mixin.CanvasHostMixin method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.internal.mixin.TerminalStateRepresentable method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.Root method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.control.ClientComponent method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.control.Component method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.container.Container method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.container.CanvasContainer method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.control.WebComponent method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.control.UIControl method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.container.ContextMenu method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.container.Menu method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.container.toolbar.PushTool method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.container.toolbar.ToggleTool method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.internal.mixin.UIToggleToolMixin method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.internal.mixin.UIToolMixin method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.container.Toolbar method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.internal.UnitsService method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.internal.UnitsServiceStorageInterface method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.internal.UnitsServiceStorage method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.internal.GraphicsUIProperties method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.internal.GraphicsCoreProperties method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.mixin.GraphicsPickable method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.mixin.Layoutable method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.internal.Legacy method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.mixin.Mixin method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.mixin.NodeParent method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.mixin.NodeChildren method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.mixin.Pickable method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.mixin.Selectable method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.internal.GraphicsBaseFunctions method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.Graphics method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.GraphicsPlaceholder method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.internal.GraphicsPropertyHandler method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.internal.ReferenceObject method

set is a built-in method % matlab.mixin.SetGet method

set is a built-in method % hgsetget method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\matlab\randfun\@RandStream\set.m % RandStream method

set is a built-in method % schema.package method

set is a built-in method % schema.class method

set is a built-in method % handle.handle method

set is a built-in method % ReqMgr.LinkType method

set is a built-in method % schema.prop method

set is a built-in method % handle.subreference__ method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\shared\reqmgt\+rmimap\@StorageMapper\StorageMapper.p % rmimap.StorageMapper method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.axis.Axes method

set is a Java method % java.util.Collections$SingletonList method

set is a Java method % java.util.Collections$UnmodifiableRandomAccessList method

set is a Java method % java.util.Collections$UnmodifiableList method

set is a built-in method % javahandle.com.mathworks.hg.peer.HG2FigurePeer method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.mixin.Chartable method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.chart.interaction.DataAnnotatable method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.chart.primitive.Line method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.axis.AbstractAxes method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.axis.decorator.AxisDecoration method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.axis.decorator.AxisRulerBase method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.axis.decorator.Backdrop method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.axis.decorator.BoxFrame method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.axis.dataspace.CartesianDataSpace method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.axis.colorspace.ColorSpace method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.axis.dataspace.DataSpace method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.axis.decorator.DecorationContainer method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.axis.decorator.Grid method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.axis.HintConsumer method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.axis.colorspace.MapColorSpace method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.axis.decorator.NumericRuler method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.axis.PlotTarget method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.axis.PlotTargetManager method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.axis.decorator.Ruler method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.axis.decorator.ScalableAxisRuler method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.axis.decorator.SelectionHighlight method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.axis.decorator.SimpleGrid method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.axis.dataspace.UniformCartesianDataSpace method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.axis.camera.Camera method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.axis.camera.Camera2D method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.axis.camera.Camera3D method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.primitive.Text method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.interactor.ListOfPointsHighlight method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.mixin.AbstractAxesParentable method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.mixin.AxesParentable method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.mixin.Background method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.mixin.ChartLayoutable method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.mixin.LegendTarget method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.mixin.Legendable method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.mixin.ColorOrderUser method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.mixin.PolarAxesParentable method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.mixin.GeographicAxesParentable method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.mixin.SceneNodeGroup method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.mixin.UIAxesParentable method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.mixin.UIParentable method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.primitive.world.ClipNode method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.primitive.world.Geometry method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.primitive.world.LightSource method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.primitive.world.LineLoop method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.primitive.world.LineStrip method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.primitive.world.Marker method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.primitive.world.CompositeMarker method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.primitive.world.PrimitiveBase method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.primitive.world.Quadrilateral method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.primitive.world.Text method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.primitive.world.TriangleStrip method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.eventdata.Annotation method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.eventdata.LegendEntry method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.primitive.Data method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.primitive.world.Group method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.primitive.Group method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.primitive.Transform method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.primitive.world.SceneNode method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.primitive.canvas.Canvas method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.primitive.canvas.CanvasFactory method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.primitive.canvas.JavaCanvasFactory method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.primitive.canvas.JavaCanvas method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.shape.internal.ScribeStackManager method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.shape.internal.ScribeLayer method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.shape.internal.AnnotationPane method

set is a built-in method % javahandle.com.mathworks.hg.peer.ToolbarPeer method

set is a built-in method % javahandle.com.mathworks.hg.peer.ToolPushButtonPeer method

set is a built-in method % javahandle.com.mathworks.hg.peer.ToolToggleButtonPeer method

set is a built-in method % javahandle.com.mathworks.hg.peer.MenuPeer method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.shape.internal.Button method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.internal.DataCursorBehavior method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.internal.HGBehavior method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.shape.internal.ButtonImage method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.controls.ToolbarPushButton method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.controls.AxesToolbarButton method

set is a built-in method % matlab.ui.controls.ToolbarStateButton method

set is a built-in method % COM.Excel_Application method

set is a built-in method % schema.method method

set is a built-in method % schema.event method

set is a built-in method % handle.listener method

set is a built-in method % Interface.000208DB_0000_0000_C000_000000000046 method

set is a built-in method % Excel_Application0.WorkbookActivateData method

set is a built-in method % handle.EventData method

set is a built-in method % Interface.000208DA_0000_0000_C000_000000000046 method

set is a built-in method % Interface.000208D7_0000_0000_C000_000000000046 method

set is a built-in method % Interface.000208D8_0000_0000_C000_000000000046 method

set is a built-in method % Interface.00020846_0000_0000_C000_000000000046 method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.illustration.Legend method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.illustration.legend.Text method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.internal.PlotEditBehavior method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.internal.PrintBehavior method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.shape.internal.AxesLayoutManager method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.illustration.legend.LegendEntry method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.illustration.legend.LegendIcon method

set is a built-in method % matlab.graphics.internal.mlprintjob method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\matlab\graph2d\@arrowline\set.m % arrowline method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\matlab\graph2d\@axischild\set.m % axischild method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\matlab\graph2d\@axisobj\set.m % axisobj method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\matlab\graph2d\@axistext\set.m % axistext method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\matlab\graph2d\@editline\set.m % editline method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\matlab\graph2d\@editrect\set.m % editrect method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\matlab\graph2d\@figobj\set.m % figobj method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\matlab\graph2d\@scribehandle\set.m % scribehandle method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\matlab\graph2d\@scribehgobj\set.m % scribehgobj method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\matlab\winfun\@COM\set.m % COM method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\simulink\ui\printing\@cellline\set.m % cellline method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\simulink\ui\printing\@celltext\set.m % celltext method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\simulink\ui\printing\@framerect\set.m % framerect method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\bioinfo\bioinfo\@BioSeq\set.m % BioSeq method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\bioinfo\bioinfo\@phytree\set.m % phytree method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\ident\ident\@iddata\set.m % iddata method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\ident\nlident\@customreg\set.m % customreg method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\ident\nlident\@idnlfun\set.m % idnlfun method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\ident\nlident\@idnlmodel\set.m % idnlmodel method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\imaq\imaq\@imaqchild\set.m % imaqchild method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\imaq\imaq\@imaqdevice\set.m % imaqdevice method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\instrument\instrument\@icdevice\set.m % icdevice method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\instrument\instrument\@icgroup\set.m % icgroup method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\instrument\instrument\@iviconfigurationstore\set.m % iviconfigurationstore method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\shared\instrument\@instrument\set.m % instrument method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcdata\@cgcalinput\set.m % cgcalinput method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcdata\@cgoppoint\set.m % cgoppoint method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcdata\@cgoptim\set.m % cgoptim method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcdata\@cgprec\set.m % cgprec method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcdata\@cgprecfix\set.m % cgprecfix method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcdata\@cgprecfloat\set.m % cgprecfloat method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcdata\@cgpreclookupfix\set.m % cgpreclookupfix method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcdata\@cgprecpolyfix\set.m % cgprecpolyfix method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcdata\@cgrules\set.m % cgrules method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcdesign\@csetinterface\set.m % csetinterface method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcdesign\@cset_boxb\set.m % cset_boxb method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcdesign\@cset_ccd\set.m % cset_ccd method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcdesign\@cset_fullfact\set.m % cset_fullfact method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcdesign\@cset_grdlatt\set.m % cset_grdlatt method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcdesign\@cset_grid\set.m % cset_grid method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcdesign\@cset_haltonset\set.m % cset_haltonset method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcdesign\@cset_lattice\set.m % cset_lattice method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcdesign\@cset_lhs\set.m % cset_lhs method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcdesign\@cset_pb\set.m % cset_pb method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcdesign\@cset_pointset\set.m % cset_pointset method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcdesign\@cset_simplex\set.m % cset_simplex method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcdesign\@cset_sobolset\set.m % cset_sobolset method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcdesign\@cset_stratlattice\set.m % cset_stratlattice method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcdesign\@cset_userdef\set.m % cset_userdef method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcexpr\@cgclipexpr\set.m % cgclipexpr method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcexpr\@cgconstant\set.m % cgconstant method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcexpr\@cgdivexpr\set.m % cgdivexpr method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcexpr\@cgfeature\set.m % cgfeature method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcexpr\@cgfuncexpr\set.m % cgfuncexpr method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcexpr\@cgifexpr\set.m % cgifexpr method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcexpr\@cglookupone\set.m % cglookupone method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcexpr\@cglookuptwo\set.m % cglookuptwo method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcexpr\@cgminmaxexpr\set.m % cgminmaxexpr method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcexpr\@cgmodexpr\set.m % cgmodexpr method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcexpr\@cgmswitchexpr\set.m % cgmswitchexpr method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcexpr\@cgnormaliser\set.m % cgnormaliser method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcexpr\@cgnormfunction\set.m % cgnormfunction method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcexpr\@cgrelexpr\set.m % cgrelexpr method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcexpr\@cgsubexpr\set.m % cgsubexpr method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcexpr\@cgsymvalue\set.m % cgsymvalue method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcexpr\@cgvalue\set.m % cgvalue method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcexpr\@cgvariable\set.m % cgvariable method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcguitools\@axestext\set.m % axestext method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcguitools\@listitemselector\set.m % listitemselector method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcguitools\@mvgraph1d\set.m % mvgraph1d method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcguitools\@mvgraph2d\set.m % mvgraph2d method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcguitools\@mvgraph3d\set.m % mvgraph3d method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcguitools\@mvgraph4d\set.m % mvgraph4d method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcguitools\@seltext\set.m % seltext method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcguitools\@texlistbox\set.m % texlistbox method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcguitools\@xregaxesinput\set.m % xregaxesinput method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcguitools\@xregclickinput\set.m % xregclickinput method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcguitools\@xregclicktolinput\set.m % xregclicktolinput method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcguitools\@xregcolorbar\set.m % xregcolorbar method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcguitools\@xreglegend\set.m % xreglegend method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcguitools\@xreglistctrl\set.m % xreglistctrl method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcguitools\@xregmultigraph2d\set.m % xregmultigraph2d method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcguitools\@xregrangeinput\set.m % xregrangeinput method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcguitools\@xregtable\set.m % xregtable method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcguitools\@xregvectorinput\set.m % xregvectorinput method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbclayouts\@xregborderlayout\set.m % xregborderlayout method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbclayouts\@xregcardlayout\set.m % xregcardlayout method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbclayouts\@xregcontainer\set.m % xregcontainer method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbclayouts\@xregcurtainfxlayout\set.m % xregcurtainfxlayout method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbclayouts\@xregflowlayout\set.m % xregflowlayout method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbclayouts\@xreggridlayout\set.m % xreggridlayout method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbclayouts\@xreglayerlayout\set.m % xreglayerlayout method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbclayouts\@xregslidefxlayout\set.m % xregslidefxlayout method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbclayouts\@xregsnapsplitlayout\set.m % xregsnapsplitlayout method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbclayouts\@xregsplitlayout\set.m % xregsplitlayout method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbclayouts\@xregtoolbarlayout\set.m % xregtoolbarlayout method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcmodels\@localavfit\set.m % localavfit method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcmodels\@localbspline\set.m % localbspline method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcmodels\@localmod\set.m % localmod method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcmodels\@localmulti\set.m % localmulti method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcmodels\@localpoly\set.m % localpoly method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcmodels\@localpspline\set.m % localpspline method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcmodels\@localsurface\set.m % localsurface method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcmodels\@localtruncps\set.m % localtruncps method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcmodels\@localusermod\set.m % localusermod method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcmodels\@term_selector\set.m % term_selector method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcmodels\@xreg3xspline\set.m % xreg3xspline method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcmodels\@xregcubic\set.m % xregcubic method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcmodels\@xregexportmodel\set.m % xregexportmodel method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcmodels\@xreggpr\set.m % xreggpr method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcmodels\@xreghybridrbf\set.m % xreghybridrbf method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcmodels\@xreginterprbf\set.m % xreginterprbf method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcmodels\@xreglinear\set.m % xreglinear method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcmodels\@xregmodel\set.m % xregmodel method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcmodels\@xregmulti\set.m % xregmulti method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcmodels\@xregnnet\set.m % xregnnet method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcmodels\@xregoptmgr\set.m % xregoptmgr method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcmodels\@xregrbf\set.m % xregrbf method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcmodels\@xregtransient\set.m % xregtransient method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcmodels\@xregtwostage\set.m % xregtwostage method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcmodels\@xregunispline\set.m % xregunispline method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbctools\@sweepset\set.m % sweepset method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbctools\@sweepsetfilter\set.m % sweepsetfilter method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbctools\@testplansweepsetfilter\set.m % testplansweepsetfilter method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcview\@cgnormnode\set.m % cgnormnode method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mbc\mbcview\@cgtablenode\set.m % cgtablenode method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mpc\mpc\@mpc\set.m % mpc method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mpc\mpc\@mpcmoveopt\set.m % mpcmoveopt method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mpc\mpc\@mpcsimopt\set.m % mpcsimopt method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\mpc\mpc\@mpcstate\set.m % mpcstate method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\opc\opc\@opcroot\set.m % opcroot method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\robust\rctobsolete\robust\@gsref\set.m % gsref method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\matlab\serial\@serial\set.m % serial method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\shared\controllib\engine\@DynamicSystem\set.m % DynamicSystem method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\shared\controllib\engine\@InputOutputModel\set.m % InputOutputModel method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\shared\slcontrollib\@opcond\set.m % opcond method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\shared\statslib\@dataset\set.m % dataset method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\signal\sptoolgui\@fdax\set.m % fdax method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\signal\sptoolgui\@fdline\set.m % fdline method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\signal\sptoolgui\@fdmeas\set.m % fdmeas method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\signal\sptoolgui\@fdspec\set.m % fdspec method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\sl3d\sl3d\@vrfigure\set.m % vrfigure method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\sl3d\sl3d\@vrnode\set.m % vrnode method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\sl3d\sl3d\@vrworld\set.m % vrworld method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\matlab\timeseries\@timeseries\set.m % timeseries method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\matlab\timeseries\@tscollection\set.m % tscollection method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\wavelet\wavelet\@dtree\set.m % dtree method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\wavelet\wavelet\@ntree\set.m % ntree method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\wavelet\wavelet\@wptree\set.m % wptree method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\wavelet\wavelet\@wtbo\set.m % wtbo method

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\wavelet\wmultisig1d\@wpartobj\set.m % wpartobj method

>> which -all gcf

gcf is a variable.

built-in (C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2020b\toolbox\matlab\graphics\gcf) % Shadowed

>>

[Walter Roberson]

The problem is not set . The problem is that you are assigning to gcf

[David Slater]

Thanks, Walter.

How can I unassign to gcf and avoid re-assigning to it, so that the error no longer occurs?

David.

[Walter Roberson]

clear gcf

will remove any current assignment to a variable named gcf

You will have to search your code or put in debugging statements to figure out how gcf is being assigned to.

[David Slater]

Thank you indeed, Walter. The problem is now solved. In my earlier efforts to add a title to a figure, I had changed

set(gcf,'WindowState','maximized')

to

gcf.WindowState='maximized';

and I had failed to realize that I hadn't changed it back. This had the effect of assigning a value to gcf each time a ran the script and turning it into a variable.This cancelled the result of

clear gcf

Changing the line in the script back to a set command has cured the problem. I will now gratefully accept your answer.

Thanks again.

David.

[Walter Roberson]

Ah yes, that could do it.

Unfortunately gcf and gca are functions . Although with a relatively recent change to MATLAB it is possible to hack to be able to access properties of the object returned, you cannot assign to it:

>> struct('T', gcf).T.WindowState 

ans =

    'normal'

I do not recommend this hack.