What Is the MATLAB Search Path?

The search path, orpathis a subset of all the folders in the file system that MATLAB uses to locate files efficiently.

Change Folders on the Search Path

Interactively add and remove folders, and change the order of folders on the search path, for the current MATLAB session and for future MATLAB sessions.

Use Search Path with Different MATLAB Installations

The default search path changes for each MATLAB version because the default folders that come with the products change.

Add Folders to the MATLAB Search Path at Startup

Thestartup.mfile is for specifying startup options. Add folders to the search path by includingaddpathstatements instartup.m.

Assign userpath as Startup Folder (Macintosh or UNIX)

Assign theuserpathfolder as the startup folder onMacintoshor UNIX^®platforms.

Files and Folders that MATLAB Accesses

When you do not specify a path to a file, MATLAB looks for the file in the current folder or on the search path. Functions in the current folder take precedence over functions with the same file name that reside anywhere on the search path.

Toolbox Path Caching in MATLAB

For performance reasons, MATLAB cachesmatlabrootfolder information across sessions.