How do I ask for a number instead of an array?

Currently, after user input, these lines of code:

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prompt = {'Enter new year:','Enter former year:','Enter code for side L=1 R=2:','Enter code for ref. line (t~t=1 mn=2):','Enter distance from center:','Enter former measurement:'};

dlg_title = 'Input for fluke measurement';

temp = inputdlg(prompt,dlg_title);

[yn, yf, s, r, d, f] = temp{:}

y=yn-yf

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Produce these results: "yn =2005; yf =1998; s =1; r =1; d = 3; f =5 ; y = 1 -9 -9 -3". I would like "y=yn-yf=2005-1998" to equal "7" and not "1 -9 -9 -3". Is this possible?

Thanks for your help.

Answer 1

[Walter Roberson]

No, inputdlg() always returns a cell array of strings. If you want to interpret them as numbers you have to convert them to numbers, such as with str2double()

[Liz]

Thank you!