How to convert a matrix to a vector on Matlab and Octave

To convert a matrix into a vector in Matlab and Octave type M (:)

M(:)

This command takes all elements in the rows and columns of the matrix M as a single column vector.

Example

Create a 2x2 matrix

>> M = [ 1 2 ; 3 4 ]
M =
1 2
3 4

To transform matrix M into a column vector type M (:)

The result is a column vector with 4 elements.

>> M(:)
ans =
1
3
2
4

Alternatively, type M(:)' to get a row vector

>> M(:)'
ans = 1 3 2 4

The final result is a row vector with four elements