Documentation Center

  • Trial Software
  • Product Updates


Execute MATLAB expression in text string


[output1,...,outputN] = eval(expression)


eval(expression) evaluates the MATLAB® code in the string expression. If you use eval within an anonymous function, nested function, or function that contains a nested function, the evaluated expression cannot create a variable.

[output1,...,outputN] = eval(expression) stores output from expression in the specified variables.

Input Arguments


String that contains a valid MATLAB expression.

To include a numeric value in the expression, convert it to a string with int2str, num2str, or sprintf.

Output Arguments


Outputs from the evaluated expression.


expand all

Variable Name Evaluation

Select a matrix to plot at runtime.

This example requires that you have a matrix in the current workspace. For example:

aMatrix = magic(5);

Interactively request the name of a matrix to plot, and call eval to use its value.

expression = input('Enter the name of a matrix: ','s');
if (exist(expression,'var'))

If you type aMatrix at the input prompt, this code creates a mesh plot of magic(5).

More About

expand all


  • Many common uses of the eval function are less efficient and are more difficult to read and debug than other MATLAB functions and language constructs. For more information, see Alternatives to the eval Function.

  • Whenever possible, do not include output arguments within the input to the eval function, such as eval(['output = ',expression]). The preferred syntax,

      output = eval(expression)

    allows the MATLAB parser to perform stricter checks on your code, preventing untrapped errors and other unexpected behavior.

See Also

| | | |

Was this topic helpful?