MATLAB: How to convert a matrix of numbers into a cell array of names

Question

Hi, I am creating a program to make a secret santa pairing list automatically. I've gotten to the point at which a list with no repeats and no similarities to previous years is created, however it is a 10×2 matrix of numbers.

Example:

3 20

12 6

9 19

11 2

18 7

14 10

1 4

5 15

8 13

16 17

I also have a (handwritten) key which assigns each person's name to a specific number.

Eample:

1. Mary
2. Ben
3. Jack

… continue for length of numbers used and all names.

How can I automatically replace the numbers of the matrix with the respective names as strings (in I assume a cell array)? Thank you in advance for any help.

Answer 1

Like the below?

a= [3     20
    12     6
     9    19
    11     2
    18     7
    14    10
     1     4
     5    15
     8    13
    16    17];
c= {'Mary'
    'Ben'
    'Jack'};
c{1}=a(1)

or

a= string([3     20
          12     6
          9    19
          11     2
          18     7
          14    10
          1     4
          5    15
          8    13
          16    17]);
c= {'Mary'
    'Ben'
    'Jack'};
a(1)=c{1}