How to Make Word Inputs in MATLAB

Matrix Laboratory (MATLAB) is both a powerful mathematical tool and a high-level programming language, allowing you to create routines that interact with a user to perform a computation task. Use the "input" function to solicit text input from the user within the Command Window. Use "inputdlg" to display a pop-up box prompting the user to input one or more words.

Instructions

Command Window

1. Type the following line of code to prompt the user to enter a word or string in the Command Window, storing the result in a variable called "userinput:"

   userinput = input('Type a word:','s');

2. Use the special "\n" character in the prompt string to make a multi-line prompt:

   userinput = input('Type a word,\nthen press Enter:\n','s');

3. Use "\\" to put a backslash in the prompt string:

   userinput = input('Type your name\\pseudonym:\n','s');

Pop-up Box

1. Type the following command to display a box prompting the user to input a word:

   userinput = inputdlg('Type a word here:');

2. Add a second argument to title the box:

   userinput = inputdlg('Type a word here:','Input Request');

3. Prompt for multiple inputs in a single box with a cell array:

   userinput = inputdlg({'Name','Age','Height'},'Input Request');

   If you use this format, "userinput" will contain a cell array of the user's inputs after the box is completed.

4. Specify the number of lines in the input field with a third argument:

   userinput = inputdlg('Type a word here:','Input Request',3);

   You can specify different text field sizes for different prompts if you use a vector or matrix for this argument. Type "help inputdlg" for details.

5. Use default values (the fourth argument) for the input fields to prompt the user in the fields themselves:

   userinput = inputdlg({'','',''},'Input Request',1,{'Name','Age','Height'});

References

• MATLAB Documentation: input
• MATLAB Documentation: inputdlg