MATLAB: Search entire multi level cell array for matching string

multi level cell arraysstring

I am trying to search a cell of cell arrays for a matching string without using a for loop due to the inefficiency and speed. My first idea was to use an anonymous function and strip out the top layer iteratively of the cell array in the form of
 cellfun(@(cell) cell{1}, MyCellofCellArray, 'UniformOutput', false);
However, let's say for example I have an uneven cell of cell array where
 MyCellArray{1} = 1x1 cell, 
 MyCellArray{2} = 1x2 cell,
 MyCellArray{3} = 1x3 cell.
If you try to use the aforementioned cellfun, you get an error "Index exceeds matrix dimensions" because MyCellArray{1} only contains a 1×1 cell. Anyone have any ideas or suggestions?
Thanks,
JWelch

Best Answer

Does this do what you want?
mystring = whatever string you are trying to find
MyCellArrays = [cellfun(@(x)x(:)',MyCellArray,'UniformOutput',false)];
NewCellArrays = [MyCellArrays{:}];
x = find(~cellfun(@isempty,strfind(NewCellArrays,mystring)));
n = cellfun(@numel,MyCellArray);
nsum = cumsum(n);
first = find(nsum>=x,1);
if( first == 1 )
    second = x;
else
    second = x - nsum(first-1);
end
The element is then MyCellArray{first}{second}
If the string is not guaranteed to be present, then test for x being empty before executing the remaining code.
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