Markdown to MATLAB Converter

About Markdown to MATLAB Converter

Convert Markdown tables to MATLAB data structures including cell arrays, numeric matrices, tables, and struct arrays. Perfect for importing data into MATLAB for analysis, visualization, and computation.

Key Features

• Multiple Formats: Cell arrays, numeric matrices, tables, and struct arrays
• Header Support: Use first row as headers for variable/field names
• Auto Type Detection: Converts numeric data appropriately
• Variable Naming: Sanitizes headers for valid MATLAB variable names
• String Escaping: Properly escapes single quotes in strings
• File Upload: Upload .md files directly
• Instant Preview: Real-time conversion as you type
• Copy & Download: Export as .m file

How to Use

1. Input Markdown Table: Paste your Markdown table or upload a .md file
2. Configure Options: Choose header inclusion and output format
3. Review Output: The MATLAB code updates automatically
4. Copy to MATLAB: Use the Copy button and paste into MATLAB editor
5. Download (Optional): Save as .m file and run in MATLAB

Output Formats

• Cell Array: Flexible format for mixed data types, preserves all data as strings
• Numeric Matrix: Converts data to numbers (NaN for non-numeric values)
• Table: MATLAB table object with named variables (requires R2013b or later)
• Struct Array: Array of structures with field names from headers

Example Conversion

Markdown Input:

| Name | Age | City | Department |
|------|-----|------|------------|
| John Doe | 28 | New York | Engineering |
| Jane Smith | 34 | London | Marketing |

MATLAB Output (Cell Array):

% Cell array with headers
data = {
    'Name', 'Age', 'City', 'Department'
    'John Doe', '28', 'New York', 'Engineering'
    'Jane Smith', '34', 'London', 'Marketing'
};

MATLAB Output (Table):

% MATLAB table (requires R2013b or later)
Name = {'John Doe'; 'Jane Smith'};
Age = {'28'; '34'};
City = {'New York'; 'London'};
Department = {'Engineering'; 'Marketing'};

% Create table
data = table(Name, Age, City, Department);
data.Properties.VariableNames = {'Name', 'Age', 'City', 'Department'};

Common Use Cases

• Data Import: Import documentation tables into MATLAB for analysis
• Scientific Computing: Convert experimental data for numerical analysis
• Data Visualization: Prepare data for plotting and graphing
• Machine Learning: Import datasets for training and testing
• Signal Processing: Load time-series data for analysis
• Statistical Analysis: Import data for statistical computations

MATLAB Compatibility

Generated code works with:

• Cell Arrays: All MATLAB versions
• Numeric Matrices: All MATLAB versions
• Tables: MATLAB R2013b and later
• Struct Arrays: All MATLAB versions

Variable Naming Rules

MATLAB variable names must:

• Start with a letter (a-z, A-Z)
• Contain only letters, numbers, and underscores
• Be no longer than 63 characters
• Not be a MATLAB keyword (if, for, while, etc.)

The converter automatically sanitizes header names to meet these requirements.

Working with the Data

After importing, you can:

% Access cell array elements
name = data{2, 1};  % Gets 'John Doe'

% Access table columns
ages = data.Age;

% Access struct fields
firstName = data(1).Name;

% Convert to numeric
numericData = str2double(data(:, 2));

Tips for Best Results

• Use cell arrays for mixed data types (text and numbers)
• Use numeric matrices when all data is numeric
• Use tables for named columns and easy data manipulation
• Use struct arrays when you need named fields for each record
• Ensure headers are valid MATLAB variable names (no spaces, special chars)
• Test the generated code in MATLAB before using in production

Privacy & Security

All conversions happen locally in your browser. Your Markdown data is never uploaded to any server, ensuring complete privacy and security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the tool automatically convert strings to numeric types?

For numeric matrix output, the converter attempts to parse each value as a number and falls back to NaN when parsing fails. For cell arrays, values are kept as strings to preserve all content.

Can I safely use the generated variable names in MATLAB?

Yes. Header text is sanitized into valid MATLAB identifiers by removing invalid characters, replacing them with underscores, and prefixing names that would otherwise start with a number.

What MATLAB versions are supported?

Cell arrays, numeric matrices, and struct arrays work in all modern MATLAB versions. Tables require MATLAB R2013b or later, which introduced the table data type.

How should I handle very large tables?

For large datasets, consider using numeric matrices or tables and saving the resulting variables to .mat files. The generated code is a starting point and can be adapted to load data from external sources if needed.

Can I use this output in Octave or other MATLAB-like environments?

Most constructs (cell arrays, matrices, and structs) are compatible with GNU Octave and other MATLAB-like environments, but table syntax may not be fully supported outside MATLAB.