Next Available Filename
Return the next unused filename, incrementing an integer as required.
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Editor's Note: This file was selected as MATLAB Central Pick of the Week
Cite As
Stephen23 (2026). Next Available Filename (https://ch.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/64108-next-available-filename), MATLAB Central File Exchange. Retrieved .
Acknowledgements
Inspired by: Avoid file overwrite, auto_rename, Natural-Order Filename Sort
Inspired: Making a new .txt or .xlsx file automatically, Customizable Natural-Order Sort, Natural-Order Filename Sort
General Information
- Version 4.0.8 (16.7 KB)
MATLAB Release Compatibility
- Compatible with any release
Platform Compatibility
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
| Version | Published | Release Notes | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0.8 | * Output FPA is joined, not array
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| 4.0.7 | * Improve INTMAX handling |
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| 4.0.6 | * Improve documentation. |
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| 4.0.5 | * Improve documentation. |
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| 4.0.4 | * Improve documentation
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| 4.0.3 | * Input checking and error message improvements.
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| 4.0.2 | * Documentation improvements. |
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| 4.0.1 | * Documentation improvements. |
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| 4.0.0 | * Add syntax 1: filename with integer in angle brackets.
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| 3.1.0 | * Return name with same class as first input. |
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| 3.0.2 | * 4th input accepts numeric or logical.
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| 3.0.1 | Simplify string handling. |
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| 3.0.0 | * Accepts string scalar or char vector inputs.
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| 2.0.0 | * Separate file extension input (allows for no-ext names and folders with periods). |
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| 1.3.1 | * Simplify documentation examples. |
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| 1.3.0 | * Optional third input selects to return name only or same path as input name.
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| 1.2.1 | * Improve efficiency. |
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| 1.2.0 | * Handle single matched subfolder. |
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| 1.1.0 | * Add check for no matching files. |
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| 1.0.0 | * Update HTML docs. |
