Desktop Tools and Development Environment

Shortcuts for MATLAB--Easily Run a Group of Statements

A MATLAB shortcut is an easy way to run a group of MATLAB functions that you use regularly. These topics are covered:

• What Is a Shortcut?
• Examples of Useful Shortcuts
• Creating Shortcuts
• Running Shortcuts
• Shortcuts Toolbar
• Organizing and Editing Shortcuts

What Is a Shortcut?

A MATLAB shortcut is an easy way to run a group of MATLAB statements. First you create a shortcut that contains all the statements. Then you select and run the shortcut to execute all the statements it contains. Create, run, and organize shortcuts from the Start -> Shortcuts menu or the desktop Shortcuts toolbar.

Differences Between Shortcuts and M-Files.   A shortcut is like an M-file script, but unlike an M-file, a shortcut does not have to be on the MATLAB search path or in the current directory when you run it. In addition, you can run the shortcut by selecting it from the Start button or desktop Shortcuts toolbar, which are readily accessible.

Although shortcuts run MATLAB statements, they are not M-files and are not stored as M-files.

Examples of Useful Shortcuts

These are some examples of useful types of shortcuts:

• If you frequently run the same group of functions, consider creating a shortcut for them. An example of this is setting up your environment when you start working if you do not use a startup file, or if there are statements you do not want to include in the startup file. Some users create a shortcut for even a single function they use frequently, such as clc to clear the Command Window.
• Create a shortcut to set the same properties for figures you create, such as adding a legend and setting the background color.
• Create a shortcut for a long statement, such as changing the current directory (cd) when the pathnames are long.
• Create a shortcut for a statement you do not easily remember but need to use.

Start Button for Accessing Tools

Creating Shortcuts

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