.mat file no longer shows variable selection GUI when loading in MATLAB R2025a

In the past, when I double-clicked a .mat file or opened it without using the load command, a GUI window appeared allowing me to select which variables to import into the workspace (the "Load into Workspace" dialog).

However, in MATLAB R2025a, this dialog no longer appears. The file either loads all variables automatically or nothing happens at all.

I suspect this issue started after I accidentally selected the "Don't show this dialog again" option.

How can I re-enable this variable selection GUI when opening .mat files?

Answer 1

[Stephen23]

Make sure that this is selected:

Settings => MATLAB => General => Confirmation Dialogs => Show Import Tool dialog for importing MAT and media files

restart MATLAB

If that does not work, delete the PREFDIR (as long as you do not mind all settings reverting to default), which will ge recreated:

https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/ref/prefdir.html