Starting a VI

Starting a VI(Virtual Instrument)

When you launch LabVIEW, the Getting Started window appears. Use this window to create new VIs and projects, select among the most recently opened LabVIEW files, find examples, and search the LabVIEW Help.You also can access information and resources to help you learn about LabVIEW, such as specific manuals, help topics, and resources at ni.com/manuals.

The Getting Started window closes when you open an existing file or create a new file. You can display the window by selecting View»Getting Started Window.

Fig.1 - LabVIEW Getting Started Window

You can configure LabVIEW to open a new, blank VI on launch instead of displaying the window. Select Tools»Options, select Environment from the Category list, and place a checkmark in the Skip Getting Started window on launch checkbox.

NoteThe items in the Getting Started window vary depending on which version of LabVIEW and which toolkits you install.

Creating or Opening a VI or Project

You can begin in LabVIEW by starting from a blank VI or project, opening an existing VI or project and modifying it, or opening a template from which to begin your new VI or project.

Creating New Projects and VIs

To open a new project from the Getting Started window, select Empty Project in the New list. A new, unnamed project opens, and you can add files to and save the project.

To open a new, blank VI that is not associated with a project, select Blank VI in the New list in the Getting Started window.

Creating a VI from a Template

Select File»New to display the New dialog box, which lists the built-in VI templates. You also can display the New dialog box by clicking the Newlink in the Getting Started window.

Fig.2 - New Dialog Box

Opening an Existing VI

Select Browse in the Open list in the Getting Started window to navigate to and open an existing VI.

As theVI loads, a status dialog box similar to the following example might appear.

Fig.3 - Dialog Box Indicating the Status of Loading VIs

The Loading section lists the subVIs of theVI as they load into memory and shows the number of subVIs loaded into memory sofar. Youcan cancel the load at any time by clicking the Stop button.

If LabVIEW cannot immediately locate a subVI, it begins searching through all directories specified by theVI search path. You can edit the VI search path by selecting Tools»Options and selecting Paths from the Category list.

You can have LabVIEW ignore a subVI by clicking the Ignore Item button, or you can click the Browse button to search for the missing subVI.

Saving a VI

To save a new VI, select File»Save. If you already saved your VI, select File»Save As to access the Save As dialog box. From the Save As dialog box, you can create a copy of the VI, or delete the original VI and replace it with the new one.

Fig.3 - Save As Dialog Box

NoteRefer to the Save As Dialog Box topic of the LabVIEW Help for detailed information about each option in the Save As dialog box.