Delimiting a text file like "Text to columns" and viewing the output

Hello, I am trying to import data from a Text file (.txt). This data has a single column of mixed (numeric and string) data that is | (bar) delimited. My goal is to import this data and seperate each delimited portion into a seperate columns while maintaining the rows. Essentially, I am trying to do the Excel "Text to columns" with MATLAB. Thank you

Below is a step-by-step output:

%open file

fid = fopen(YourFile,'rt')

fid =

5

%figure out how many columns are there

firstline = fgetl(fid)

firstline =

RMS Functional Block|Reference Designator|Part Number|Sheet Number|Description|Invisible

ncol = 1 + sum(firstline == '|')

ncol =

6

%reset to beginning of file

fseek(fid,0,0)

ans =

0

%read data

indata = textscan(fid,repmat('%s',1,ncol),'Delimiter','|','CollectOutput',1)

indata = {646x6 cell}

%close file

fclose(fid)

ans =

0

How do I look at indata's data?

[Brian]

I forgot to add my main question, "How do I look at indata's data?" It is now added to the original question. It seems to be treating indata as a 1x1 cell array.

[Fangjun Jiang]

If it's 1x1 cell array, do this to

NewInData=indata{1} to get its element which is 646x6 cell array, which is what you really want. Then use the method in my answer below.

Also, try not to use the ('CollectOuuput',1) option. I think it will give you directly the 646x1 cell array.

[Walter Roberson]

CollectOutput is correct here, Fangjun. Without it you would get a 646x6 cell array in which each entry was a cell array containing a string; e.g., {{'a'},{'b'}} rather than the present {'a','b'}

Answer 1

[Fangjun Jiang]

The data is a cell array. You can:

1. type indata{1,1} to see the first element
2. use celldisp(indata) to see all
3. use open('indata') to see all

[Brian]

Do you know what is causing this error?

>> celldisp('indata')

??? Error using ==> celldisp at 15

Must be a cell array.

[Fangjun Jiang]

celldisp(indata)

[Brian]

Is there a way to mix numerical (double) and string (cell) into a single "matrix"?

[Fangjun Jiang]

cell array IS the matrix, right? A={'a','b';1 2}

[Brian]

Yes, how can I place a number produced by an equation into a cell array?

[Fangjun Jiang]

A={'a','b';1 2};

V=3+4;

A{2,1}=V

Answer 2

[Walter Roberson]

indata{L,C} will be the string that was on line #L at column #C

For example, indata{3,7} is column 7 of line 3.