selecting a specific range in a matrix and cell array

I have a large cell array with many matrices. I want to select row 1 and column 16 which has a matrix table. in that matrix table i want to select row 861. How do I do that?

a{1,16:861}

Answer 1

[Image Analyst]

See the FAQ: http://matlab.wikia.com/wiki/FAQ#What_is_a_cell_array.3F

% Extract the matrix inside that cell in row 1, column 16
% of the cell array into a regular numerical array.
cellContents = ca{1,16};  % This is a regular normal matrix now
% Now extract row 816 from that matrix:
row861 = cellContents(861, :); % Get all columns of row 861 into row vector.

Answer 2

[Sean de Wolski]

Just use two lines of code. There's no shame in doing this. And since MATLAB passes implicitly by reference anyway, it won't require a memory copy unless you change something.

[AA]

how do i do that?

[Sean de Wolski]

Start here:

http://www.mathworks.com/help/releases/R2014b/matlab/data-types_data-types.html

You can index into the cell array to extract its contents with {} or to extract the cell as ().