EDFread giving an error Error using signal.internal.edf.validateEDF
Show older comments
Error using signal.internal.edf.validateEDF (line 55)
Expected Reserved to match one of these values:
'EDF+C', 'EDF+D', ''
The input, 'EDF', matched more than one valid value.
Error in edfread (line 113)
signal.internal.edf.validateEDF(filename, fileInfo, version, startDate, startTime,...
MatLab wont let me attach a file as edf so I have put it into a zip file. I cannot edit the file and when I used the public function it shortens the signal. I cannot edit the edfread function as it is an internal function. A work around would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you very much for your support
Regards,
Scot
1 Comment
Haron Shaker
on 2 Nov 2020
Edited: Haron Shaker
on 2 Nov 2020
Same problem... How did you fixed it?
Accepted Answer
More Answers (7)
William Carson
on 13 Aug 2022
4 votes
This relatively simple addition to the file validateEDF.m fixed this problem for me:
When I tried to read/load an EDF file using the edfread function I got the same error as OP:

Solution:
- Click on the underlined signal.interal.edf.validateEDF in the "Error using singal.internal.edf.validateEDF" error message displayed in the Command Window panel. A pop-up box/window will appear.
- In the upper right of the pop-up window that appears, click on the underlined View code for signal.internal.edf.validateEDF. The code file validateEDF.m should appear in the Editor panel.
- Scroll down to lines 70/71. This is the line of code that is resulting in the error.
- Change the second argument of the validatestring function from {'EDF+C', 'EDF+D', ''} to {'EDF', 'EDF+C', 'EDF+D', ''}
- Save the file validateEDF.m. A pop-up window may appear saying "validateEDF.m" is read only. Click on Overwrite for the changes to take effect.
Now, lines 70 and 71 of the file validateEDF.m should look like this:

This fixed the issue for me, and I was able to read EDF file contents using the edfread function. I primarily work in Python, so please take my MATLAB advice with grain of salt.
3 Comments
Hamza Imtiaz
on 29 Dec 2022
Thank you!
Luisa de Vivo
on 20 Jan 2023
why, when I click on signal.interal.edf.validateEDF no pop-up appears?
Warwick
on 4 Dec 2023
Thank you also, this allowed me to open some semi-broken EDF files that I had been sent which had all sorts of wierd strings in the 'Reserved' header entry.
Brilliant!
Jan
on 24 Jun 2021
0 votes
I have the same error in Matlab 2021a.
1 Comment
Brett Shoelson
on 24 Jun 2021
Why is the previously working edfRead by Brett Shoelson no longer possible to use?
Brett
Isaac Kafshkanan
on 22 Nov 2021
0 votes
I am having a same issue as others
shams omar
on 30 Mar 2022
0 votes
I have the same error in Matlab 2021a.
How did you fixed it?
Jennie Rodowicz
on 28 Apr 2022
0 votes
I am having this same error in 2021b
Rana Hamza
on 28 Apr 2022
0 votes
I have the same error but trying to fix it soon and tell you accordingly
1 Comment
Brett Shoelson
on 28 Apr 2022
Has anyone made an attempt to contact our tech support about this issue, see if they can help?
Brett
Roza
on 3 Oct 2022
0 votes
How can I fix the following problem:
Error using signal.internal.edf.validateEDF
Expected Reserved to match one of these values:
'EDF', 'EDF+C', 'EDF+D', ''
The input, 'BIOSEMI', did not match any of the valid values.
Error in signal.internal.edf.edfinfo (line 27)
signal.internal.edf.validateEDF(filename, fileInfo, version,...
Error in edfinfo/readHeader (line 212)
~, ~] = signal.internal.edf.edfinfo('edfinfo', fid, ...
Error in edfinfo (line 173)
obj = readHeader(obj, filename, fid, fileInfo);
1 Comment
Toni
on 9 Nov 2022
Hi!
I have a similar problem, how did you fix it?
Categories
Find more on AI for Signals in Help Center and File Exchange
Products
Community Treasure Hunt
Find the treasures in MATLAB Central and discover how the community can help you!
Start Hunting!