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The Getting Started window appears when you launch LabVIEW. Use this window to create new VIs and projects, select among the most recently opened LabVIEW files, find examples, and launch the LabVIEW Help. You also can access information and resources to help you learn about LabVIEW, such as specific manuals, help topics, and resources on the National Instruments Web site.

The Getting Started window disappears when you open an existing file or create a new file. You can display the window by selecting View»Getting Started Window. The Getting Started window appears when you close all open front panels and block diagrams.

You can configure LabVIEW to open a new, blank VI on launch instead of displaying the Getting Started window.

• New—Lists new LabVIEW file types that you can launch from the Getting Started window. Click this link to open the New dialog box for more options.
  • Blank VI—Creates a new, blank Virtual Instrument (VI).
  • Empty Project—Creates an empty LabVIEW project.
  • VI or Project from Template—Opens the New dialog box, from which you can select from various VI and project templates.
  • More—Opens the New dialog box so you can create a new LabVIEW file, such as a global or shared variable, an XControl, or a polymorphic VI.
• Open—Opens the file dialog box so you can open an existing LabVIEW file.
  • Most Recently Used Files—Opens the file you select.
  • Browse—Opens the file dialog box so you can open an existing LabVIEW file. Windows Use the <Shift> key or the <Control> key to select multiple files. Mac OS Use the <Shift> key or the <Option> key. Linux Use the <Shift> key or the <Alt> key.
• Targets—Specifies the target for which you want to create a project.

  Note  This pull-down menu only appears if you have the RT, FPGA, PDA, Touch Panel, or DSP modules installed.

• New to LabVIEW?—Displays the Getting Started with LabVIEW manual. Use this manual as a tutorial to familiarize yourself with the LabVIEW graphical programming environment and the basic LabVIEW features.
  • Getting Started with LabVIEW—Displays the Getting Started with LabVIEW manual. Use this manual as a tutorial to familiarize yourself with the LabVIEW graphical programming environment and the basic LabVIEW features.
  • LabVIEW Fundamentals—Opens the LabVIEW Help to the Fundamentals section. Use this section to learn about LabVIEW programming concepts, techniques, and features and for step-by-step instructions for using LabVIEW features.
  • Guide to LabVIEW Documentation—Displays a list of installed documentation resources.
  • LabVIEW Help—Displays the LabVIEW Help. Use this help file to learn about LabVIEW programming concepts, to follow how-to instructions for using LabVIEW features, and as a reference for information about LabVIEW objects.
• Upgrading LabVIEW?—Displays a list of new features in the latest version of LabVIEW.
  • MathScript—Displays information about LabVIEW MathScript.
  • 3D Picture Control—Displays information about the 3D Picture Control.
  • LabVIEW Object-Oriented Programming—Displays information about LabVIEW Object-Oriented Programming.
  • List of All New Features—Displays a list of new features in the latest version of LabVIEW.
• Web Resources—Opens LabVIEW Zone in a Web browser.
  • Discussion Forums—Opens the LabVIEW discussion forums in a Web browser.
  • Training Courses—Displays information about LabVIEW hands-on courses in a Web browser.
  • LabVIEW Zone—Opens LabVIEW Zone in a Web browser.
• Examples—Launches NI Example Finder so you can find example VIs and projects.
  • Find Examples—Launches NI Example Finder so you can find example VIs and projects.