Read names of files listed as entries in an excel file and run those files using a loop

I am trying to create a script that reads an excel file that has a column of names of .dat files that I want to process in matlab. I am having issues getting the script to read text entries in the excel file and having the script run those files. I know its a type issue, but I am not sure how to fix it.

This is my relevant code:

file_contents = readmatrix('testing_summary(Sheet1).csv')
file_names = file_contents(1:12,3) % stores the names of the files

for i = 1:13(file_names)
    fid = fopen(file_names(i));
    
    fclose(fid); % Close the file when done
end

Answer 1

[Walter Roberson]

I would be more comfortable with

file_contents = readtable('testing_summary(Sheet1).csv')
file_names = file_contents{1:12,3}; % stores the names of the files

for i = 1 : length(file_names)
    fid = fopen(file_names{i});
    %...
    fclose(fid)
end