reading data of non-standard format

Hi,

I need to read data like with non-standard format. There are columns with names, and their abundances (some of them may be empty). Names can be repeated, and contain spaces. I can export it into .xlsx file. I need to stuff it into some kind of matrix which I can process further (see which names are repeated and get the indeces of them etc.)

Any idea what can read it and what would be the matrix format?

Cheers,

Jana

Answer 1

[Star Strider]

If you can export it to an Excel file, use the xlsread function to read it.

[Star Strider]

JCU’s Answer moved here ...

I tried that. But it does not work with text. The format is something like:

Species name  Island name  On-island activity  Total

Ardenna pacifica  Heron Island  Nesting  

Anous minutus  One Tree Island  Nesting  447

Anous minutus  Heron Island  Nesting  

Accipiter fasciatus  St Bees Island  Present  

Accipiter fasciatus  St Bees Island  Present  1

Accipiter fasciatus  St Bees Island  Present  1

Acrocephalus australis  Bell Cay  Present  1

Actitis hypoleucos  Fairfax Islands (No 2)  Present  1

e.g. Accipiter fasciatus is in one column, St Bees Island in the second etc.

[Star Strider]

I had no idea you had data in that format. I would use the interactive Import Data GUI (shortcut on the ‘VARIABLE’ section of the toolstrip above the Command Window), then save the imported variables as a .mat file.

I created a short .xlsx file with your headers and two lines of your data, and that was the only way I could successfully import them. That may seem inconvenient, but since you only have to do it once (then you can read the .mat file easily later), it may be your best option.

[Jana]

Thanks. Actually, xlsread does all the job - I just didn't know that it has modes. Thanks for the kick! :-)

Jana

[Star Strider]

My pleasure!