MATLAB Central Newsreader - automate importing text into word processor -- report generation

automate importing text into word processor -- report generation

GG — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 15:34:01 -0400

Hi All,

I know Matlab has it's own software for auto-report generation but I'm looking for something allowing a lot more control over formatting.

Let's say my Matlab program outputs data into an ascii file as well as outputs many plots as separate jpg files.

Does anyone know of other software or procedures to generate a template (essentially a detailed report) that can take this Matlab output and place it into the report?

For example, I'd create the template first with example output from my Matlab file, mapping what goes where and formating everything. Then, to generate a new report, I just update the Matlab files in the directory and the report updates automatically to reflect the new information (all formating stays the same, just the numbers and figures reflect the new Matlab results). All I do is replace the Matlab files in the directory and bingo, a new report is made.

I think Oracle's Business Intelligence software can do this, but I was hoping there was something simpler, like a way to do it in Word, Framemaker, or something else.

Thanks in advance, -GG

Re: automate importing text into word processor -- report generation

Omur Bas — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 07:37:05 -0400

Hi,

I'll have to give you a somewhat vague answer, because I don't remember the exact syntax, and I don't have my work on this computer, but rest assured that this is doable :)

In summary, what you need to do is:
1. Open a Word document as an object in MATLAB using activex controls.
2. Figure out what methods that object has, and use them to add text etc.

What I've done was a huge report that took parameters from a data set, ran a simulation with those parameters, obtained outputs, included text (sometimes tailored to the model), figures, tables - all automatically numbered, with a table of contents and on special Word stationery. It took a great deal of trial and error, and a lot of referring to the MS Word API documentation, but it worked perfectly, and I didn't have to compromise any of my formatting requirements.

The overall code is huge, and there is some little trick for every little thing, but when I get to my OWN computer, I'll be able to post a few lines to get you started.

I know this doesn't help, just gives hope :)

Best,
Omur Bas
www.promodsoftware.com.tr

"GG " <ggkmath@comcast.net> wrote in message <ga0s99$pdk$1@fred.mathworks.com>...
> Hi All,
>
> I know Matlab has it's own software for auto-report generation but I'm looking for something allowing a lot more control over formatting.
>
> Let's say my Matlab program outputs data into an ascii file as well as outputs many plots as separate jpg files.
>
> Does anyone know of other software or procedures to generate a template (essentially a detailed report) that can take this Matlab output and place it into the report?
>
> For example, I'd create the template first with example output from my Matlab file, mapping what goes where and formating everything. Then, to generate a new report, I just update the Matlab files in the directory and the report updates automatically to reflect the new information (all formating stays the same, just the numbers and figures reflect the new Matlab results). All I do is replace the Matlab files in the directory and bingo, a new report is made.
>
> I think Oracle's Business Intelligence software can do this, but I was hoping there was something simpler, like a way to do it in Word, Framemaker, or something else.
>
> Thanks in advance, -GG

Re: automate importing text into word processor -- report generation

Ben Hinchliffe — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:29:02 -0400

Hi,

You might want to try Inference for MATLAB- www.InferenceForMATLAB.com

Inference for MATLAB enables you to use the familiar Microsoft Excel and Word environment to assemble dynamic documents containing your data, MATLAB files, MATLAB commands, and text annotations (commentary). When executed, a dynamic document runs MATLAB commands and generates a results document that contains textual, numerical and graphic output of MATLAB commands in addition to formatted text annotations. Inference should help you produce reports with consistent formatting (templates) and the flexibility to update MATLAB files as needed.

I'm on the Inference development team, and I'd love to hear what you think of our product. Did it work as promised? Does it lack features that would be useful to you? We're in pre-commercial release mode - so we're very open to suggestions.

Hope this helps with your MATLAB report generation needs!

Best Regards,

-Ben

"GG " <ggkmath@comcast.net> wrote in message <ga0s99$pdk$1@fred.mathworks.com>...
> Hi All,
>
> I know Matlab has it's own software for auto-report generation but I'm looking for something allowing a lot more control over formatting.
>
> Let's say my Matlab program outputs data into an ascii file as well as outputs many plots as separate jpg files.
>
> Does anyone know of other software or procedures to generate a template (essentially a detailed report) that can take this Matlab output and place it into the report?
>
> For example, I'd create the template first with example output from my Matlab file, mapping what goes where and formating everything. Then, to generate a new report, I just update the Matlab files in the directory and the report updates automatically to reflect the new information (all formating stays the same, just the numbers and figures reflect the new Matlab results). All I do is replace the Matlab files in the directory and bingo, a new report is made.
>
> I think Oracle's Business Intelligence software can do this, but I was hoping there was something simpler, like a way to do it in Word, Framemaker, or something else.
>
> Thanks in advance, -GG