How can I import dates from Excel using xlsread?

I have a column of dates in an Excel file in the format of mm/dd/yyy. They are in a table and are listed from largest to smallest. Ultimately I'd like to import this column of dates along with corresponding data in another column and graph it using MatLab. I have the following:

unsub_2011_date = xlsread(unsub_2011.xlsx,Sheet 1,A4:A16);
unsub_2011_balance = xlsread(unsub_2011.xlsx,Sheet 1,G4:G16);

Doing so, my output for unsub_2011_date is:

>>[]

Then I'd like to repeat for other .xlsx files with different years where I just copy and paste the code and change the "year". Additionally, is there a more efficient way to read this data/removing a lot of my code? After the data is imported, how do I graph it so it's chronological?

Thanks

Answer 1

[Walter Roberson]

"I have a column of dates in an Excel file in the format of mm/dd/yyy"

are they stored in Excel as strings, or are they stored in Excel in Excel data format with a cell format applied to make them appear in that form?

Because if they are stored as string then they are going to be removed from the first output of xlsread(): you would need either the second or third output of xlsread() for strings.

Have you tried using readtable() ?

http://matlab.wikia.com/wiki/FAQ#How_can_I_process_a_sequence_of_files.3F