Convert array of numbers to an array of padded strings

I have an array of numbers to convert to an array of strings.

>> stanums = 7:12;
>> stastrings = string( stanums );
stanums =
     7     8     9    10    11    12
stastrings = 
    "7"    "8"    "9"    "10"    "11"    "12"

How can I have the strings zero-padded? ie "07" "08" etc.

I tried with num2str, but can only manage that using a loop, and I would really like a more elegant way as my code has far too many loops in it already.

Answer 1

[Star Strider]

Use the compose function —

stanums = 7:12;
stastrings = compose("%02d", stanums)

stastrings = 1×6 string array
    "07"    "08"    "09"    "10"    "11"    "12"

Note the format descriptor string.

.

Answer 2

[Fangjun Jiang]

stanums = 7:12;
s=sprintf('%02d\n',stanums(:))

s = 
    '07
     08
     09
     10
     11
     12
     '