MATLAB: Convert time to datenum

datenum

I have a folder with 10 matfiles where the first row is the time and the second raw is some data associated with the time. I want to convert all the time for the first row of each of the matfiles as a new time series using datenum. I have been able to navigate to the directory of and tried this code but it isnt working. Please is can I get some help.
mat = dir('*.mat');
for i = 1:length(mat)
load(mat(i).name);
newMat = mat(i).name(1,:);
newdate = datenum(newMat);
end

Best Answer

It is not required to navigate to data directories to read data:
D = 'Path of the directory where the MAT files are saved';
S = dir(fullfile(D,'*.mat'));
for k = 1:numel(mat)
T = load(fullfile(D,S(k).name));
M = T.nameOfTheVariableInMatFileWhichYouHaveNotToldUs;
newdate = datenum(M(1,:));
end
Or, assuming that the .mat files contain only one variable:
D = 'Path of the directory where the MAT files are saved';
S = dir(fullfile(D,'*.mat'));
for k = 1:numel(mat)
T = load(fullfile(D,S(k).name));
C = struct2cell(T);
newdate = datenum(C{1}(1,:));
end