Subset Table using an array of strings

I am using the following code to select a subset of my table based on column names:

table_subset = table(:,ismember(table.Properties.VariableNames, {'col1' 'col2'}));

However, I would like to provide the cell input based on an existing array of column names, like so:

list_of_cols = ['col1' 'col2']

table_subset = table(:,ismember(table.Properties.VariableNames, list_of_cols));

But I am getting an empty table.

Answer 1

[Dave B]

I think you want

list_of_cols = {'col1' 'col2'}

list_of_cols = 1×2 cell array
    {'col1'}    {'col2'}

or

list_of_cols = ["col1" "col2"]

list_of_cols = 1×2 string array
    "col1"    "col2"

because list_of_cols as you wrote it evaluates to the wrong thing:

list_of_cols = ['col1' 'col2']

list_of_cols = 'col1col2'

Here's a quick test:

t=table(1,2,3);
list_of_cols = {'Var1' 'Var3'};
t(:,ismember(t.Properties.VariableNames,list_of_cols))

ans = 1×2 table
    Var1    Var3
    ____    ____

     1       3  

[Metin Akyol]

That makes sense, thank you so much!!