Read string values in NetCDF files.

I have a NetCDF file to read. Actually they are dates of a certain data is taken. But I get it as a numerical value. Then the data I get miss some 0s which makes it hard for me to get the date exactly. How do i get it as a String value? My code is as follows.

peaksData1  = ncread('filename.nc','T',[1 1], [1 inf], [1 1])

[Ashish Uthama]

does char(peaksData1) help?

[Chad Greene]

I am curious about your syntax which includes the start, count, and stride. Is it necessary to include the extra arguments? How does your code differ from

peaksData1  = ncread('filename.nc','T');