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Workspace Variables and MAT-Files

Manage data in the MATLAB® workspace

The workspace contains variables that you create or import into MATLAB from data files or other programs. You can view and edit the contents of the workspace in the Workspace browser or in the Command Window. For more information, see Create and Edit Variables.

Workspace variables do not persist after you exit MATLAB. To use your data across multiple sessions, save it to a compressed file with a .mat extension called a MAT-file. You can restore saved data by loading a MAT-file back into MATLAB. For more information, see Save and Load Workspace Variables.

Functions

loadLoad variables from file into workspace
saveSave variables from workspace to file
matfileAccess and change variables in MAT-file without loading file into memory
dispDisplay value of variable
formattedDisplayTextCapture display output as string (Since R2021a)
whoList variables in workspace
whosList variables in workspace, with sizes and types
clearRemove items from workspace, freeing up system memory
clearvarsClear variables from memory
openvarOpen workspace variable in Variables editor or other graphical editing tool
workspaceOpen Workspace browser to manage workspace

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Troubleshooting

Unexpected Results When Loading Variables Within a Function

If you have a function that loads data from a MAT-file and find that MATLAB does not return the expected results, check whether any variables in the MAT-file share the same name as a MATLAB function.

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