MATLAB: How to clear existing figure in excel using matlab

active servergraph delete

I have an excel that is connected to matlab through active server. I am generating a graph via matlab and export it to excel. However, I need to clear the existing graphs first so it won't overwrite and make a stacked of graphs.

My idea is to find the existing graph first, and clear it. But, so far, I still don't know how to do it.

Anyone knows? I am open to any suggestions.

Thank you so much!

Elizabeth

Best Answer

Here is a more efficient version of your original code:

excel = actxserver('Excel.Application');
workbook = excel.Workbooks.Open(filename);
graph = Workbook.Sheets.Item('Graphs');
plotpie(cost, init_stage);
graph.Shapes.AddPicture('location', 0, 1, 400, 325, 345, 230);

To delete the picture you've added, and assuming that it is the only picture on the Graphs worksheet:

graph.Shapes.Item(1).Delete

Related Solutions

MATLAB: How can you make a particular Excel workbook active when you have more than one open in MATLAB 7.14 (R2012a)

In order to make a particular Excel workbook active from MATLAB, you will need to use the method ACTIVATE.

The following code is an example of how to use it. In this example MATLAB writes to an empty Excel file 'Book1.xlsm' which contains a macro named 'AddNew' that creates a new Excel file called 'test.xls'.

If the code is run, it is possible to see that first, the Excel file 'Book1.xlsm' is open and then, from MATLAB, the macro is run. This macro creates and opens the new Excel file 'test.xls', which becomes the active workbook. Then, to make 'Book1.xlsm' the active workbook, the command 'Workbook.Activate' is used. Finally, the code makes the second sheet active and writes on it, saves the workbook and closes Excel.

%%Specify file name 
file = 'path_to_file\Book1.xlsm'; % This must be full path name 
%%Open Excel Automation server 
Excel = actxserver('Excel.Application'); 
Workbooks = Excel.Workbooks; 
%%Make Excel visible 
Excel.Visible = 1; 
%%Open Excel file 
Workbook = Workbooks.Open(file);
%%Run Macro
Excel.Run('AddNew');
%This macro will create a new Excel file called test.xls
%%Specify sheet number, data, and range to write to 
sheetnum=1; 
data=rand(4);  % use a cell array if you want both numeric and text data 
range = 'F10:I13'; 
%%Make first workbook open the active one
Workbook.Activate
%%Make the second sheet from the active workbook active 
Sheets = Excel.ActiveWorkBook.Sheets; 
sheet2 = get(Sheets, 'Item', 2); 
invoke(sheet2, 'Activate'); 
Activesheet = Excel.Activesheet; 
%%Put MATLAB data into the active Excel 
ActivesheetRange = get(Activesheet,'Range',range); 
set(ActivesheetRange, 'Value', data); 
%%Save file 
invoke(Workbook,'Save') 
%%Close Excel and clean up 
invoke(Excel,'Quit'); 
delete(Excel); 
clear Excel;

MATLAB: Write to an already opened Excel file

If Excel is already running by the time you want to run this with the target file open, you can't just start a new excel instance and open that workbook; it will just create a new file with the same name, and when it comes time to save, you will get the error that the file is already open (anyway that's where I encountered error when I ran your example).

Instead, you need to fetch the open Excel instance

Excel = actxGetRunningServer('Excel.Application')

If you have multiple workbooks open in the excel instance, you'll need to find the one that you want within the list Workbooks.Item

Excel.Workbooks.Item(k).FullName

Such as by looping through and checking its FullName (full path, I think)

Best Answer

Related Solutions

MATLAB: How can you make a particular Excel workbook active when you have more than one open in MATLAB 7.14 (R2012a)

MATLAB: Write to an already opened Excel file

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