How to Open a Simulink Model File in MATLAB?

To open a Simulink model file (.slx or .mdl) in MATLAB, you can typically double-click the file in the MATLAB Current Folder browser or use specific methods within the MATLAB or Simulink environment.

Methods to Open Your Simulink Model

There are a couple of primary ways to access and open your Simulink models within the MATLAB environment.

Method 1: Using the MATLAB Editor or Current Folder (Based on Reference 1)

This method involves navigating to the folder containing your model file directly within MATLAB.

Locate the folder: In the MATLAB Editor or the main MATLAB command window area, you'll see a section for the Current Folder. Use the navigation tools (like clicking the Browse for folder icon, which looks like a folder) to locate the directory where your Simulink model file (.slx or .mdl) is saved.
Select the folder: In the file browser that appears after clicking Browse for folder, navigate to the folder that contains the model and click Select Folder. The Current Folder view in MATLAB will update to show the contents of this folder.
Open the file: Once you see your .slx or .mdl file listed in the MATLAB Current Folder pane, double-click the file name. This action will automatically open the Simulink model in the Simulink environment.

Method 2: Using the Simulink Start Page (Based on Reference 2)

The Simulink Start Page provides quick access to recent models and the option to browse for models.

Open Simulink: Start Simulink. You can do this by typing simulink in the MATLAB Command Window and pressing Enter, or by clicking the Simulink icon in the MATLAB toolstrip.
Use the Start Page: On the Simulink Start Page that appears, look at the side bar on the left.
- Recent Models: If you have opened the model recently, you might find it listed under Recent Models or Recent Projects. Simply click on the model name in this list to open it.
- Browse/Open: If the model is not in the recent list, click the Open button (often accompanied by a folder icon). This will bring up a file browser.
Navigate and Open: In the file browser, navigate to the location of your .slx or .mdl file, select it, and click Open.

What is a Simulink Model File?

A Simulink model is typically saved with a .slx file extension (or the older .mdl extension). Unlike standard MATLAB script files (.m), these files are not text-based scripts executed line-by-line. Instead, they are binary or XML-based files that store the diagram, block parameters, signals, and configuration settings of a graphical Simulink model.

Opening a .slx or .mdl file launches the Simulink graphical user interface (GUI), displaying the block diagram contained within the file.