how to plot time from string

I have the following time vector:

T =

'21:01'

'21:02'

'21:03'

'21:04'

and when i try to convert it into a variable I can plot:

Time2plot = datetime(T, 'inputformat','HH:mm');

it automatically assigns today and the date for it. I don't want to have a date associated to it.

Any ideas?

Answer 1

[Star Strider]

Use the 'Format' name-value pair:

T = ['21:01'
     '21:02'
     '21:03'
     '21:04'];

Time2plot =  datetime(T, 'inputformat','HH:mm', 'Format','HH:mm')

produces:

Time2plot = 

  4×1 datetime array

   21:01
   21:02
   21:03
   21:04

For the plot, use the xtickformat function:

figure
plot(Time2plot, rand(4,1))
grid
xtickformat('HH:mm')

However, it still has the date associated with it below the x-axis.

The only way I can think of to get around that is:

dn = datenum(Time2plot);
figure
plot(dn, rand(4,1))
grid
datetick('x', 'hh:mm', 'keepticks')

Experiment to get the result you want.