Importing data from different directories

Hi,

I have data saved in several different directories and many often I need to run the same matlab script to make some post-processing. Now my question:

How can I run my script and select the data to import as they belong to different directories?

I have been using uigetfile() but to select files from the current directory only.

Thank you. C. C.

Answer 1

[Walter Roberson]

[filename, pathname] = uigetfile(...);
completename = fullfile(pathname, filename);

Then use completename as the name to open or load.

Answer 2

[Ian]

You could try this FE submission:

http://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/10867-uipickfiles-uigetfile-on-steroids

This is a GUI application that allows multiple files or directories to be selected and allows you to manage the list (remove files, reorder, etc.) before returning. It has basic filtering as well as regular expression filtering and navigation of the file system is easy. The output is configurable (cell, struct or char arrays). It is written entirely in M and so is platform independent.

Answer 3

[Chiara Modenese]

Thanks Ian, I will have a look at that as it seems what I need but am having problems to download the files now, let's see if I can fix it.

As for your answer, Walter, for me it does not work in case of MULTIPLE file selection (see error message below), which is actually my need. Any further hint?

The code:

[FileName,PathName,FilterIndex] = uigetfile('*.txt','MultiSelect','on'); 
CompleteName = fullfile(PathName, FileName);

The message:

??? Undefined function or method 'eq' for input arguments of type 'cell'.
Error in ==> fullfile at 37
if (f(end)==fs) && (part(1)==fs),
Error in ==> try_headers at 17
CompleteName = fullfile(PathName, FileName);

Cheers, C.

[Ian]

Downloading fine here, here is a backup you can try:

https://gist.github.com/raw/892280/8d7368d7d8b35216de5d18917b3c1cf0bb5d37e1/gistfile1.matlab

[Chiara Modenese]

Thanks a lot!

I have also found the way to follow Walter's suggestion, by using cells if multiple files are selected. Thanks to all, anyway.

Bye, Chiara

Answer 4

[Chiara Modenese]

It seems that my problem would not be solved in the sense that I am not able to select files from different directories, I mean, to select multiple files from multiple directories. I would like to code something simple in my script that could handle that and maybe not make use of other people code, possibly. Had you any other suggestions, I would appreciate it.

Chiara

[Ian]

You need to do what uipickfiles does, read its source and see what you need to do from it. There isn't a simple way to do it in Matlab I think...

[Walter Roberson]

Right, uigetfile() only supports selecting from one directory at a time.