Workspace Variables and MAT-Files

Manage data in the MATLAB^® workspace

The workspace contains variables that you create or import into MATLAB from data files or other programs. You can view and edit the contents of the workspace in the Workspace browser or in the Command Window. For more information, see Create and Edit Variables.

Workspace variables do not persist after you exit MATLAB. To use your data across multiple sessions, save it to a compressed file with a .mat extension called a MAT-file. You can restore saved data by loading a MAT-file back into MATLAB. For more information, see Save and Load Workspace Variables.

Functions

`load`	Load variables from file into workspace
`save`	Save variables from workspace to file
`matfile`	Access and change variables in MAT-file without loading file into memory
`disp`	Display value of variable
`formattedDisplayText`	Capture display output as string (Since R2021a)
`who`	List variables in workspace
`whos`	List variables in workspace, with sizes and types
`clear`	Remove items from workspace, freeing up system memory
`clearvars`	Clear variables from memory
`openvar`	Open workspace variable in Variables editor or other graphical editing tool
`workspace`	Open Workspace browser to manage workspace

Topics

Create and Edit Variables
Create, edit, and copy variables in the MATLAB workspace, in the Command Window or using the Workspace browser and Variables editor.
Save and Load Workspace Variables
Save some or all variables in the current workspace and reload the variables later during the current MATLAB session, or during another session.
Display Statistics in the Workspace Browser
For each variable or object, the Workspace browser can display statistics such as the min, max, and mean, when relevant.
Workspace and Variable Preferences
Set preferences for the Workspace browser and Variables editor.
MAT-File Versions
There are several versions of MAT-files that each support an increasing set of features, starting with MAT-file Version 4.
Compare and Merge MAT-Files
View and merge changes between two MAT-files.

Troubleshooting

Unexpected Results When Loading Variables Within a Function

If you have a function that loads data from a MAT-file and find that MATLAB does not return the expected results, check whether any variables in the MAT-file share the same name as a MATLAB function.

Related Information

Large MAT-Files