How can I create a cell array by combining arrays?

Lets say;

names=['X1','X2','X3']

first=[1 2 3]

second=[4 5 6]

third=[7 8 9]

I need a cell array that is combination of these four arrays. It should be 1x4!

cellArray={['X','Y','Z'],[1 2 3],[4 5 6],[7 8 9]}

How can I write that code. horzcat is no good. Thanks!

[Jan]

Note that

names=['X1','X2','X3']

is the same as

names='X1X2X3'

Therefore I cannot guess, what you want as output and how your input exactly should look like.

Answer 1

[Ahmet Cecen]

maybe this? mat2cell

it is unclear what you are trying to accomplish with the cell conversion, so this is the best I can do.

Answer 2

[George]

What are you having trouble with? The code you posted works.

>> cellArray={['X','Y','Z'],[1 2 3],[4 5 6],[7 8 9]}

cellArray =
  1×4 cell array
    'XYZ'    [1×3 double]    [1×3 double]    [1×3 double]
>>

[Billie Jean]

but XYZ is a 1x1 string. Not a 1x3 array.

[Ahmet Cecen]

Oooh, string arrays are uncomfortable in MATLAB. Either do {'X','Y','Z'} or make a table() instead of a cell array.

['X','Y','Z'] is the concatenate constructor for strings, not an array.

[Image Analyst]

Billie Jean, please read the FAQ on cell arrays. I think it will help you understand. http://matlab.wikia.com/wiki/FAQ#What_is_a_cell_array.3F

With ['X','Y','Z'] you are concetnating 3 single characters to form a 1-by-3 character array, also known as a string. They are the same thing. In fact you can also set it to 'XYZ' and get the same thing. Just look:

>> s=['X','Y','Z']
s =
XYZ
>> whos s
  Name      Size            Bytes  Class    Attributes

    s         1x3                 6  char               

>> s='XYZ'
s =
XYZ
>> whos s
  Name      Size            Bytes  Class    Attributes

    s         1x3                 6  char

Now, that string is inside the first cell of a 1-by-4 cell array. A single cell, like the first one , is a 1-by-1 array if you want to look at it that way. But because it's a cell, it can contain virtually anything inside it. And in this case, that first cell contains a 1x3 string (character array) inside it. Think of a cell like a bucket, and a cell array as an array of buckets. You can throw anything you want into the buckets: a string, a double array, a structure, a table, even another cell or cell array. Different buckets can contain anything - you're not required to have a whole column or whole row have the same data type in it. You can vary the contents of the buckets on a bucket-by-bucket basis. Again, read the FAQ - you won't regret it.