Find matching entries in cell array

If I have a cell array full of character arrays, I want to return a cell array of all the items that are common between all columns. For example:

Sample data:

example{1,1}{1,1} = 'a'
example{1,1}{2,1} = 'b'
example{1,1}{3,1} = 'c'

example{1,2}{1,1} = 'a'
example{1,2}{2,1} = 'b'

example{1,3}{1,1} = 'x'
example{1,3}{2,1} = 'b'
example{1,3}{3,1} = 'a'

I then want to return a Nx1 cell array with the values that match between all items, so it would return [a,b] - (order is not important).

The example data must be assumed to be any size.

I have tried strcmp and a few other methods but cant get my head around it! Any help appreciated.

[John]

In the example you provided, "a" and "b" are not common to all. example{1,4} does not contain those values.

Can you clarify what you are trying to achieve?

[Seb]

sorry that was a mistake, disregard those two bottom lines of code

Answer 1

[Walter Roberson]

result = example{1,1};
for K = 2 : numel(example)
   result = intersect(result, example{K}, 'rows');
end

At the end, only the items in common with everything will be left. But as John points out, that will be empty.

[Seb]

sorry, amended question. your answer works! thanks!

[Seb]

just note: it throws a warning: The 'rows' input is not supported for cell array inputs.

Just wondering if this is fine/any way to resolve this...?

[Walter Roberson]

Just remove 'rows' as an option.