How to convert the contents of a cell array into an array?

Hi, I have a cell array that looks a bit like this:

N='AA' 'AA_BB' 'AA_BB_CC' 'AA_BB_DD' 'AA_BB_EE'

it is easy enough to convert a specific entry of my cell into an array:

a=cell2mat(N(2)) a=AA_BB

Now I want to use the cellfun code in order to generate an array for all the entries in my cell. The end result I am envisioning looks a bit like:

a=AA AA_BB AA_BB_CC AA_BB_DD AA_BB_EE

I am trying the following code:

a=cellfun(cell2mat,N)

but I am getting an error message. Where am I going wrong? Thanks

[Jan]

If you have a cell array, post the code for a cell array also:

N = {'AA', 'AA_BB', 'AA_BB_CC', 'AA_BB_DD', 'AA_BB_EE'};

When you get an error message, post a complete copy in the forum. It is much easier to solve a problem than to guess, what the problem is.

[Sven]

sure, sorry for not having posted it earlier...the error message I get looks as follows:

K>> a=cellfun(@cell2mat,N) Cell contents reference from a non-cell array object.

Error in cell2mat (line 43) cellclass = class(c{1});

Answer 1

[Jan]

This is not a job for cellfun. And if it is one, a function handle would be required: cellfun(@cell2mat, ...) .

N = {'AA', 'AA_BB', 'AA_BB_CC', 'AA_BB_DD', 'AA_BB_EE'};
a = sprintf('%s ', N{:});  % Has a trailing space

% Or:
b = cat(2, N{:});  % No intermediate spaces

% Or:
c = CStr2String(N, ' ', 0);

with FEX: CStr2String, which inserts the separator between all strings except for the last string.

[Sven]

Thanks Jan, I just realized that while the above answers provide a solution to the question posted, they dont ultimately solve the problem I am having. I guess, I asked the question wrongly...

How would I get a new cell array which only contains the first x characters of each element of my N Cell array. So the answer would look something like (for x=2):

NN='AA', 'AA', 'AA','AA', 'AA'

[Azzi Abdelmalek]

N = {'AA', 'AA_BB', 'AA_BB_CC', 'AA_BB_DD', 'AA_BB_EE'};
x=2
cellfun(@(ii) ii(1:x),N,'un',0)

[Sven]

Thank you Azzi!

[Sven]

hmmm....while the example works fine for x=2, it gives me an error message if I use x=3 or any other higher value...Any idea what the problem might be?

cellfun(@(ii) ii(1:3),N,'un',0)
Index exceeds matrix dimensions.

Error in @(ii)ii(1:3)

[Jan]

cellfun(@(ii) ii(1:min(3, length(ii))),N,'un',0)