MATLAB: Loading .mat files with same variable name

variables

I could do with some help.

I have loads of .mat structure arrays that contain 'data' (84×179). I want to be able to plot the data on top of each other but the problem is that since they are all called 'data', they replace each other in my workspace. What is a good way around this? Is there a way I can change 'data' for each .mat file or should I create a for loop. I don't know how to do this so any tips would be most appreciated.

Thanks

Best Answer

Hi,

the main idea is to use load with a return argument instead of as a command, something like

files = dir('*.mat');
allData = cell(size(files));
for ii=1:length(files)
  aFileData = load(files(ii).name);
  allData{ii} = aFileData.data;
end

Titus

Related Solutions

MATLAB: For Loop Related Question

Based on the above information, one possible way is to make use of struct as follows:

groupNames = ["Pre_HTO", "Post_HTO"];
folderPath = "C:\Users\c1734806\OneDrive - Cardiff University\PhD Folder\Thesis\NL_Simulations_Complete\";
for i = 1:numel(groupNames)
    groupData.(groupNames(i)) = myGroupFunc(folderPath,groupNames(i));
end
groupData
function groupStruct = myGroupFunc(folderPath,group)
cd(folderPath+group)
files = dir('*_Contact_Forces.mat'); % finds all of the files in the cd with that in it's name
for ii=1:length(files)                % calculates how many files there with above name
   ALL_DATA{ii} = load(files(ii).name);% loads in the data with said filename      
   x{(ii)} = ALL_DATA{1, ii}.Results.CFMedialAverage.Res';
end
groupStruct.DATA = ALL_DATA;
groupStruct.files = files; 
groupStruct.CFMedial_Group = cell2mat( x );
groupStruct.CFMedial_Group_Average = mean(Pre_HTO_CFMedial_Group,2);
end

You can refer to struct & Generate Field Names from Variables for more information.

MATLAB: Compare on plots variables from two .mat files with same variables

f1 = load('FirstName.mat');
f2 = load('SecondName.mat');
plot(f1.X, f1.Y, 'b', f2.X, f2.Y, 'k--'); legend({'first file', 'second file'})

Use the function form of load(), which will create a struct with one field for each variable name.