Labeled rows and column in a matrix

I would like to create a matrix with labeled rows and columns. Then use the labels to fill in the Matrix. For example: the first row of matrix A is word1 and the third column of A is word3. I want to value A(word1,word3)=1.5 . sometimes I need numerical index of rows/columns (like a normal matrix) and sometimes the labels. I tried container.map, but it does not have numerical index! Which structure would you suggest?

Thanks, Shima

[Stephen23]

Why not just use containers.map and keep a list of the keys in a cell array. You can use indexing directly on the cell array to get the keys that you need, and then apply the keys to the map object.

Or perhaps a table might be more suitable.

[Kirby Fears]

The table structure works here.

Answer 1

[MHN]

Use table instead.