Importing a table with unknown number of rows

I have several xlsx files that contain the same columns, but different number of rows. An example xlsx file is attached. I would like to import them as tables, so I used Import Wizard to generate the attached function. The problem with the function is that it specifies the row length in opts.DataRange. However I would like to use this function on other xlxs files with the same columns, but different number of rows. How do I edit this function so it can accept any number of rows? Here's what I've tried,

dataLines = [2, Inf]; % Want to go from the 2th row to the last unknown row. Doesn't work.
opts.DataRange = "A" + dataLines(1, 1) + ":C" + dataLines(1, 2); % Columns A to C are imported from Excel file

but it crashes. I also tried

dataLines = [2, 500]; % I happen to know I always have less than 500 rows 

but then my table actually has 500 rows, with the last several rows undesirably empty. I could manually delete them but I suspect there's a better way.

Answer 1

[Stephan]

I dont think it is needed to specify this, using readtable function. I never used this option to import a .csv-file as table in Matlab.

[KAE]

Unfortunately if you are lazy and use the Import Wizard to generate a function to read in the data, as I always do, the Wizard automatically assigns opts.DataRange to the number of rows in your specific file, as far as I can tell.

[Stephan]

can you provide an example file?

[KAE]

I edited the question to provide an example Excel file and the associated function that the Import Wizard generates. I don't want to change this function too much, because then I have a better chance of remembering how to do this when I use Import Wizard in the future. (I run into this issue every couple months).

[Stephan]

Its a one liner:

>> myTable = readtable('example_cooking_workbook.xlsx','PreserveVariableNames',true)

myTable =

  39×3 table

      Technique      Serve Date     Dish Number
    _____________    ___________    ___________

    {'salt'     }    23-Jun-1980        57     
    {'saute'    }    18-Jun-1992        93     
    {'scald'    }    07-Jun-1994        79     
    {'scallop'  }    18-Mar-1994        77     
    {'scoop'    }    02-Aug-1996        57     
    {'score'    }    17-Sep-1994        93     
    {'scramble' }    18-Mar-1994        81     
    {'sear'     }    11-Apr-1997        68     
    {'season'   }    17-Oct-1996        76     
    {'separate' }    10-Apr-1998        70     
    {'serve'    }    12-Aug-1999        54     
    {'shell'    }    23-Jul-1999        62     
    {'shirr'    }    07-Feb-2000        56     
    {'shred'    }    07-Feb-2001        59     
    {'shuck'    }    03-Aug-2001        62     
    {'sieve'    }    28-Nov-2000        71     
    {'sift'     }    18-Dec-2000        52     
    {'simmer'   }    03-Dec-1999        95     
    {'skewer'   }    21-Sep-2001        97     
    {'skim'     }    19-Dec-2003        75     
    {'skin'     }    12-Aug-2004        74     
    {'slice'    }    16-Nov-2004        67     
    {'sliver'   }    29-Jan-2004        95     
    {'slow cook'}    14-Mar-2005        68     
    {'smoke'    }    23-Mar-2005        56     
    {'snip'     }    06-May-2004        89     
    {'soak'     }    23-Mar-2005        69     
    {'soft boil'}    17-Nov-2004        62     
    {'souse'    }    28-Jul-2008        70     
    {'sprinkle' }    28-Mar-2008        55     
    {'steam'    }    19-Jun-2008        57     
    {'steep'    }    29-Nov-2007        97     
    {'stew'     }    30-Mar-2012        98     
    {'stir'     }    04-Oct-2010        79     
    {'stir fry' }    30-Aug-2010        53     
    {'strain'   }    15-Dec-2011        62     
    {'stuff'    }    31-Aug-2011        68     
    {'sweat'    }    27-Feb-2013        91     
    {'sweeten'  }    24-Aug-2012        51     

[KAE]

Thanks! I wonder why the Import Wizard function generation makes it so complicated? Well, serves me right for relying on it.