Create hyperlinks in the command window

Adam Danz on 15 Feb 2024 (Edited on 16 Feb 2024)

Latest activity Reply by goc3 on 20 Feb 2024

The MATLAB command window isn't just for commands and outputs—it can also host interactive hyperlinks. These can serve as powerful shortcuts, enhancing the feedback you provide during code execution. Here are some hyperlinks I frequently use in fprintf statements, warnings, or error messages.

1. Open a website.

msg = "Could not download data from website.";
url = "https://blogs.mathworks.com/graphics-and-apps/";
hypertext = "Go to website"
fprintf(1,'%s <a href="matlab: web(''%s'') ">%s</a>\n',msg,url,hypertext);

Could not download data from website. Go to website

2. Open a folder in file explorer (Windows)

msg = "File saved to current directory.";
directory = cd(); 
hypertext = "[Open directory]";
fprintf(1,'%s <a href="matlab: winopen(''%s'') ">%s</a>\n',msg,directory,hypertext)

File saved to current directory. [Open directory]

3. Open a document (Windows)

msg = "Created database.csv.";
filepath = fullfile(cd,'database.csv'); 
hypertext = "[Open file]";
fprintf(1,'%s <a href="matlab: winopen(''%s'') ">%s</a>\n',msg,filepath,hypertext)

Created database.csv. [Open file]

4. Open an m-file and go to a specific line

msg = 'Go to';
file = 'streamline.m'; 
line = 51; 
fprintf(1,'%s <a href="matlab: matlab.desktop.editor.openAndGoToLine(which(''%s''), %d); ">%s line %d</a>', msg, file, line, file, line);

Go to streamline.m line 51

5. Display more text

msg = 'Incomplete data detected.';
extendedInfo = '\tFilename: m32c4r28\n\tDate: 12/20/2014\n\tElectrode: (3,7)\n\tDepth: ???\n';
hypertext = '[Click for more info]';
warning('%s <a href="matlab: fprintf(''%s'') ">%s</a>', msg,extendedInfo,hypertext);