Desktop Tools and Development Environment

Saved Desktop Layouts

When you end a session, MATLAB saves the desktop layout. The next time you start MATLAB, the desktop is restored the way you left it. This includes reopening any Editor/Debugger documents you had open.

You can also use predefined layouts, and you can save your own layouts for later reuse.

Any layouts you save are stored as XML files. The layout last used in a session is MATLABDesktop.xml. Type prefdir in the Command Window to display the location of the XML files. The MATLABDesktop.xml file is loaded when MATLAB starts and is overwritten when you close MATLAB.

Predefined Layouts

Select a predefined MATLAB desktop layout from the Desktop -> Desktop Layout menu. Document tools already open in the desktop remain open.

• Default--Contains the Command Window and the Command History window, with the Current Directory browser and the Workspace browser tabbed together.
• Command Window Only--Contains only the Command Window. This makes MATLAB appear similar to how it looked in older versions.
• History and Command Window--Contains the Command History window and Command Window, side by side.
• All Tabbed--All tools are opened, maximized, and tabbed together in the desktop.

After selecting a predefined layout, you can move, resize, and open and close tools.

Saving Your Own Desktop Layouts

You can save a desktop layout and use it again at a later time. Select Desktop -> Save Layout to save the current layout. Assign a name to the layout in the resulting dialog box and click OK. To reuse the layout, select Desktop -> Desktop Layout and then select the layout name.

To rename or delete a saved layout, select Desktop -> Organize Layouts. In the resulting dialog box, select a layout, click the Rename or Delete button, and click Close. When renaming, type the new name over the existing name.

Moving Documents and Tools Out of the Desktop (Undocking)

Adding Your Own Toolboxes to the Development Environment

© 1994-2005 The MathWorks, Inc.