Transferring Custom LabVIEW Palettes Between Computers

Updated Nov 24, 2020

Environment

Software

  • LabVIEW

  • How can I create a group of VIs on the LabVIEW functions palette so that later, they can be easily distributed to other LabVIEW users as a custom tool-set?
  • How can I create a custom Subpalette in LabVIEW?
  • How can I create a .mnu file for a custom LabVIEW palette?

To create a Subpalette, you will need to organise all of your custom VIs for the palette in a new folder. This folder should be located  in <LabVIEW>\vi.lib.

Next, create a .mnu file that will contain all of the information about the palette you want to distribute. To create a .mnu file, you need to open up LabVIEW and edit the palette set:
  1. Go to Tools >> Advanced >> Edit Palette Set...
  2. On the Functions palette, right-click in an empty space where you would like to add your Subpalette.
  3. Select Insert >> Subpalette.
  4. Select Create a new palette file (.mnu).
  5. Name your .mnu file and save it. Make a note of where you save the file because you will need it later.
  6. Name your Subpalette and press OK.
  7. Right-click on your new Subpalette's icon. Select Insert >> VI(s)...
  8. Browse to your folder in vi.lib to add your custom VIs.
  9. Save the changes to your palette set.
On the computer that will receive the palette:
  1. Place the folder containing the custom VIs in <LabVIEW>\vi.lib.
  2. Place the .mnu file in the <LabVIEW>\menus\Categories directory.
As an example, if you place the .mnu file in <LabVIEW>\menus\Categories\Programming, your palette will show up in the Programming palette.

Additional Information

The <LabVIEW>\vi.lib directory is the recommended directory for your VI library since it complies to the best practises for file hierarchy. For further information on best practises, see Developing a VI-Based API .
Refer to Creating a LabVIEW Palette for a step-by-step tutorial on how to use new and existing .mnu files to create Subpalettes.