How do I import Data from a different folder?

So I can't change the directory of the data files so need a way of changing where matlab looks for the data.

The code I have so far is:

   list = dir ('data_folder/*.dat');  |%where the .dat files are|

    [~,index] = sortrows({list.date}.'); list = list(index); clear index |%Sorts them out by date|

    for i = 1:length(list);

        A(:,i) = importdata(list(i).name); 

    end

Thank you so much for your help!

Answer 1

[Image Analyst]

Try this:

% Get path to a sub folder off the current working directory.
filePattern = full file(pwd, 'data_folder/*.dat');
list = dir (filePattern );

You can replace pwd by any hard coded string if you want, or else call uigetdir() to let the user browse.

[Dropbox406]

Using the code:

filePattern = fullfile(pwd, 'data_folder/*.dat');
list = dir (filePattern );

[~,index] = sortrows({list.date}.'); list = list(index); clear index

for i = 1:length(list);

        A(:,i) = importdata(list(i).name);

end

I get the error:

Error using importdata (line 136)
Unable to open file.

Error in load_data_test (line 11)
A(:,i) = importdata(list(i).name);

it still does not recognise the directory...

[Image Analyst]

list does not have the folder in it. You have to create the full filename with fullfile

fullFileName = fullfile(pwd, list(i).name);
A(:,i) = importdata(fullFileName);

[Dropbox406]

fullFileName is C:\xx\xx\composite1.dat where it should be C:\xx\xx\data_folder\composite1.dat

How do I get it to add the data_folder part?

My code is:

filePattern = fullfile(pwd, 'data_folder/*.dat');

list = dir (filePattern );

[~,index] = sortrows({list.date}.'); list = list(index); clear index

for i = 1:length(list);

      fullFileName = fullfile(pwd, list(i).name);

      A(:,i) = importdata(fullFileName);

end

Currently get the error:

Error using importdata (line 136) Unable to open file.

Error in load_data_test (line 15) A(:,i) = importdata(fullFileName);

:(

[Dropbox406]

The other way to do it is to add 'data_folder/' in front of all the names of the file directories in the list, would that be easier?

Answer 2

[Thorsten]

Easy as

addpath('C:\xx\xx\data_folder\composite1.dat')

[Dropbox406]

Problem is that I need to send it to a different computer so can't add the very specific 'C:\xx\xx\' part at the beginning as it will not run on other computers..

[Thorsten]

If it's just one other computer, just add both paths to your Matlab path. One path would be invalid on either computer, but this gives just a warning that you can savely ignore.

Answer 3

[Suhas gowda]

This works well for me

[file,path] = uigetfile('*.mat'); % opens file selection dialog box. You may choose data from different folder
A=importdata(strcat(path,file)); % data will be imported from the specified path