Why do I get an "Error using eval: Undefined function 'workspacefunc' for arguments of type 'struct'." error when starting MATLAB?

Why do I get the following error when starting MATLAB?

Error using eval
Undefined function 'workspacefunc' for arguments of type 'struct'.

Answer 1

[MathWorks Support Team]

This error indicates that MATLAB is unable to read your pathdef.m file. This can occur because the permissions on your pathdef.m file prevent the user running MATLAB from reading it, but it can also occur if your pathdef.m file has become corrupted.

1) First, locate your pathdef.m file. From MATLAB, run the command

>> which pathdef

It is usually located at <matlabroot>/toolbox/local/pathdef.m. On Windows this would be:

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\RXXXXx\toolbox\local\pathdef.m

You may be able to resolve this issue by changing the permissions on your pathdef.m file.

Windows 10:

1. Right-click the “pathdef.m” file and select “Properties”.
2. Go to the “Security” tab.
3. Click “Edit…”
4. Under “Group or user names”, select the applicable user/group name, or do the following to grant permission for every user:
   1. Click “Add".
   2. In the "Enter an object name to select" area, enter "Everyone", and click "Check Names". The "Everyone" you entered should become underlined. Click OK
5. Under "Permission for Group/User/Everyone", click the “Allow” check box for “Full control”.
6. Click "OK".

Contact your Windows System Administrator for further help with the above.

Mac & Linux:

Open a Terminal window Run the following command:

sudo chmod 777 $MATLABROOT/toolbox/local/pathdef.m

2) If the above does not resolve the issue then your pathdef.m file may be corrupted or have errors. Regenerate pathdef.m by performing the following steps:

1. Delete pathdef.m

2. Open MATLAB again (you will see errors).

3. Run the following commands:

>> restoredefaultpath
>> rehash toolboxcache
>> savepath

4. Rename the temporary file created in <matlabroot>/toolbox/local to pathdef.m

5. Restart MATLAB.

3) As a last resort, reinstalling MATLAB should resolve the issue. If reinstalling MATLAB does not resolve the issue then there may be another application on your machine which is interfering with MATLAB. If the issue persists even after reinstalling MATLAB, please contact MathWorks support .

[Amal George M]

To change the permissions on your pathdef.m file for specific users in Windows, please follow the steps below.

1. Right-click on “pathdef.m” file, select “Properties”
2. Go to the “Security” tab
3. Click “Edit”
4. Select the specific user/group name
5. Click “Allow” checkbox for “Full control”.

[Bill Tubbs]

In my case (Mac OS X) sudo chmod 777 $MATLABROOT/toolbox/local/pathdef.m did not work (No such file or directory). But I found the file at /Applications/MATLAB_R2019b.app/toolbox/local.

[Walter Roberson]

@Owen Leitzel

path() with one argument replaces the entire MATLAB path with the given argument. So path('VTA_FrontalCortex.m') replaces the entire MATLAB path with VTA_FrontalCortex.m (which is not even a valid path, as paths have to be directories.)

You should not use path to add an individual .m file onto the MATLAB path. You should use pathtool() for a graphic interface, or you should use addpath() and provide name of the directory (folder) that the .m file is in. For example it might be valid to

addpath(pwd)

[Walter Roberson]

Windows 10:

Using Windows Explorer,

1. Right-click on “pathdef.m” file, select “Properties” (it will probably be the last item in the menu)
2. Go to “Security” tab (near top of Properties) and click "Edit" in the "Change permissions" line.
3. You will be shown a tab that has the filename near the top and "Group or user names" below that.
4. Click “Add".
5. In the "Enter an object name to select" area, enter "Everyone", and click "Check Names". The "Everyone" you entered should become underlined. Click OK
6. In the "Permissions for Everyone", list, click "Modify". This will also enable several other entries. Click OK.
7. You are now back at the Security properties for the file. Click OK