Issues with looping in structure: variable in the name

I am loading one Excel spreadsheet with 11 tabs. The 11 tabs are named fl1, fl2,... fl11.

The spreadsheet is currently loaded into a structure named flight_data. I don't like the way it is organized, so I want to create a 11 new structures: somename1, somename2,....somename11.

I think the code will show how I'm trying to structure my data. The goal is to have 11 strutures that look like this:

%my loop that doesn't work

for i = 1:11

fpro(i).loc7.x = flight_data.fpro{i}(:,1)

end

%my structure setup

fpro(i).name = 'Flight Profile {i}';

fpro(i).loc7.x = flight_data.fl{i}(:,1)

fpro(i).loc9.x = flight_data.fl{i}(:,4)

fpro(i).loc10.x = flight_data.fl{i}(:,7)

fpro(i).loc7.y = flight_data.fl{i}(:,2)

fpro(i).loc9.y = flight_data.fl{i}(:,5)

fpro(i).loc10.y = flight_data.fl{i}(:,8)

fpro(i).loc7.z = flight_data.fl{i}(:,3)

fpro(i).loc9.z = flight_data.fl{i}(:,6)

fpro(i).loc10.z = flight_data.fl{i}(:,9)

[Stephen23]

"...I want to create a 11 new structures: somename1, somename2,....somename11."

Best avoided:

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/discussions/tips/849901-tutorial-why-variables-should-not-be-named-dynamically-eval

Rather than inefficiently forcing pseudo-indices into variable names just use actual indices into e.g. a structure array. Real indexing will be simpler and much more efficient thatn what you are attempting. Your approach will make working with your data more complex and inefficient.

[Joe]

You are 100% correct...no excuses!

Answer 1

[Voss]

I guess this is something like your flight_data variable:

flight_data = struct('fl',{permute(num2cell(rand(10,9,11),[1 2]),[3 1 2])})

flight_data = struct with fields:
    fl: {11x1 cell}

flight_data.fl

ans = 11x1 cell array
    {10x9 double}
    {10x9 double}
    {10x9 double}
    {10x9 double}
    {10x9 double}
    {10x9 double}
    {10x9 double}
    {10x9 double}
    {10x9 double}
    {10x9 double}
    {10x9 double}

I think you're going for this:

clear('fpro')
for i = 1:numel(flight_data.fl)
    fpro(i).name = sprintf('Flight Profile %d',i);
    fpro(i).loc7.x = flight_data.fl{i}(:,1);
    fpro(i).loc9.x = flight_data.fl{i}(:,4);
    fpro(i).loc10.x = flight_data.fl{i}(:,7);
    fpro(i).loc7.y = flight_data.fl{i}(:,2);
    fpro(i).loc9.y = flight_data.fl{i}(:,5);
    fpro(i).loc10.y = flight_data.fl{i}(:,8);
    fpro(i).loc7.z = flight_data.fl{i}(:,3);
    fpro(i).loc9.z = flight_data.fl{i}(:,6);
    fpro(i).loc10.z = flight_data.fl{i}(:,9);
end

Check some of the results:

fpro

fpro = 1x11 struct array with fields:
    name
    loc7
    loc9
    loc10

fpro(1)

ans = struct with fields:
     name: 'Flight Profile 1'
     loc7: [1x1 struct]
     loc9: [1x1 struct]
    loc10: [1x1 struct]

fpro(2)

ans = struct with fields:
     name: 'Flight Profile 2'
     loc7: [1x1 struct]
     loc9: [1x1 struct]
    loc10: [1x1 struct]

[Joe]

I had to make a simple adjustment, but it worked. Thanks.

[Voss]

You're welcome!