Loading .mat files with same variable name

I could do with some help.

I have loads of .mat structure arrays that contain 'data' (84x179). 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

Answer 1

[Titus Edelhofer]

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

[Peyman]

Thanks Titus. I will try this and let you know how it goes. If I were to change the name of each variable in the .mat file, would it be an easy way of doing it?

[Titus Edelhofer]

Yes, that would be no problem. If you know that it's only one variable, use fieldnames:

aFileData = load(files(ii).name);
% names of the variables stored:
variableNames = fieldnames(aFileData);
% use the first name and "dynamic field names", i.e., (...):
allData{ii} = aFileData.(variableNames{1});