Disable the Numeric control entry field

In run time restrict the user from typing something into the entry field of the numeric control (or) String control is easily done by the following trick.
Select a "flat box" from decorations->Flat box, resize/move it to exactly cover the Numeric control user entry field and paint it transparent . Group it the flat box & Numeric control and also select “Skip this control when tabbing" option in the key navigation dialog of the control to avoid the tabbing access of the control.

Tips for getting Drive List of the system

To get the drive list of our system in LabVIEW is obtained by List Directory function which is lied in the Functions Palette -> File I/O -> Advanced File Functions -> List Directory. If you giving empty path as directory path of List Directory function you get the drive list of the computer from the directory names string array. (See Picture).It is a very cool & nice feature in LabVIEW.

Using Description and Tip option

Description and Tip is a very useful option for the controls & Indicators in front panel. Right click on the control or Indicator & select the Description and Tip option. Tip is a popup tool tip shows on run time when mouse over the Front Panel element. Description shows on Ctrl + H help window for the Front Panel element.(See Picture for selecting this option for control)

You can change the Description and Tip of Front Panel elements on run time by its property nodes.

Generating alternate numbers periodically

For getting the alternate numbers in loop periodically is obtained by Quotient & Remainder function. If u like to generate the numbers 0,1,2 periodically means connect the Loop iteration (while or for loop based on usage) terminal to Quotient & Remainder function x input & create constant 3 on y input(constant should be addition of one with last number in the periodic numbers).See picture1 for Example(four periods of 0,1,2 numbers generation).

Tips for Unit Conversion

I was studied the article " easy unit conversion " from the following link.

This method is very simple for unit conversion without using the unit label of the control.
This method uses the function - Convert Unit. (See Example)

Tips for creating Sub VI

Everyone knows the method of creating the SubVI by using wiring tool & connector pane (click on control & click on necessary connector pane terminal).The easy & quickest method for creating the SubVI is,

Select the part of the code which one you like to create as a SubVI & go to Edit menu then select the option “Create SubVI”(See Picture 1) .Now the selected part of the code is automatically converted into a SubVI(See Picture 2).

Tips for insert the function in-between wiring

Inserting the function tool in-between wires is easily done by right click->Insert->select tool from function palette. For two input function (like Add,Subtract… ) insertion in-between wiring you have two options, if you like to insert the first terminal of the function on the wiring- Right click below the wiring and insert it or you like to insert the second terminal of the function on wiring- Right click above the wiring and insert it. (See Picture 1)

Swapping the wire terminals (two input function)

If you have function of two inputs like Add, Multiply…etc , you can easily swap the input wire terminals without deleting the wires. For example you have connected x1,x2 as input terminals in Subtract function, the swapping of x2 into x1 and x1 into x2 is done by the following method,

Keep auto tool selection enable – move the mouse over subtract function input terminals and press control key you got a symbol like -8 just click it now you got swapped input terminals.

Randomly mixing the array elements

There is no direct tool for mixing the array elements randomly in LabVIEW 7.1 & below versions .Use the following method for mixing the array elements (See Picture 1)

Limit string length of the string control

In some string control using user interface applications need the limited string length option for restrict the user from entering the unnecessary strings .My method for limiting the string length is (See picture 1),

String control connected with String Subset(with length) and the substring connected with the local variable of that string control.String Subset length 10 constant denotes the Maximum string length of that control.Select the update value while typing option of the string control by Right clicking on control for run time string length control. If any other way please let me know.

Quickly entering items into Ring & Enum control

The conventional method (Right click-> Edit items) for entering the items into Ring control is uses only when you need the sequential value changes for the items. If you don’t need the sequential value changes for the items the easiest & quickest method for entering items into Ring & Enum control is,

Select Edit Text from the tools palette and click inside the control -type the item & press shift + Enter button then again enter item .

Tips for Case Structure

The Case selector terminal is accepts string,enum,boolean,integer types.If you like Case Structure connected with string should be case insensitive choose Case Insensitive Match option by Right click.(See Picture 1)

















Radix selection is also accomplished for numeric control connected case selector by Right click->Radix-> Hex or something .(See Picture 2)

Working on Compound Arithmetic tool in LabVIEW

For arithmetic calculation such as addition,subtraction etc we are using add,multiply & more tools from the Numeric palette.If many inputs are using in the calculation, the block diagram should be little bit extended by more Numeric tools & wiring. For a clean block diagram use Compound Arithmetic tool from numeric palette.By using this tool the addition & subtraction ,Multiplication & division calculations are easily accomplished without using the separate tools like Add, Subtract, Multiply, Divide.For example, Result=I1 + I2 –I3 calculation is done as per below (See Picture 1 for both two methods).

The invert terminal denotes the opposite calculation(In addition operation invert works as subtraction & Multiplication operation invert works as division ).To get invert input terminal- Right Click on the terminal and choose invert.Boolean operations is also done in that tool by changing its mode(By Right Click on the tool->Change mode->OR).