How to Read Excel Files in MATLAB: Simple Guide

In MATLAB, you can read Excel files using the readtable function for tables or xlsread for numeric data. Use readtable('filename.xlsx') to load the data into a table variable easily.

Syntax

The main functions to read Excel files in MATLAB are:

• readtable(filename): Reads data into a table, including text and numbers.
• xlsread(filename): Reads numeric data, text, and raw data (older function).
• readmatrix(filename): Reads numeric data into a matrix.

Replace filename with your Excel file path.

matlab

T = readtable('data.xlsx');
[num, txt, raw] = xlsread('data.xlsx');
M = readmatrix('data.xlsx');

Example

This example shows how to read an Excel file named sample.xlsx into a table and display the first few rows.

matlab

filename = 'sample.xlsx';
T = readtable(filename);
disp(head(T));

Output

    Name      Age    Score
    ____    _____    _____

    Amy       25      88
    Bob       30      92
    Cara      22      79
    Dan       28      85
    Eva       24      90

Common Pitfalls

Common mistakes when reading Excel files in MATLAB include:

• Using xlsread on large files can be slow; prefer readtable or readmatrix.
• Not specifying the correct sheet or range if your data is not on the first sheet.
• File path errors: ensure the Excel file is in the current folder or provide the full path.
• Data type mismatches: readtable handles mixed data better than xlsread.

Example of specifying sheet and range:

matlab

T = readtable('sample.xlsx', 'Sheet', 'Sheet2', 'Range', 'A1:C10');

Quick Reference

Function	Description	Best Use Case
readtable(filename)	Reads Excel data into a table	Mixed data with text and numbers
xlsread(filename)	Reads numeric and text data (older)	Simple numeric data or legacy code
readmatrix(filename)	Reads numeric data into a matrix	Pure numeric data without text

Key Takeaways

Use readtable to read Excel files with mixed data types easily.

Specify sheet and range if your data is not on the first sheet.

Avoid xlsread for large files; prefer readtable or readmatrix.

Ensure the Excel file path is correct to avoid file not found errors.

readmatrix is best for numeric-only Excel data.