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If automatic tool selection is enabled and you move the cursor over front panel or block diagram objects, LabVIEW automatically selects the corresponding tool from the Tools palette. You can disable automatic tool selection and select a tool manually by clicking the tool you want on the Tools palette.

If you want to use the <Tab> key to cycle through the four most common tools on the Tools palette, click the Automatic Tool Selection button on the Tools palette to disable automatic tool selection. Press the <Shift-Tab> keys or click the Automatic Tool Selection button to enable automatic tool selection again. You also can manually select a tool on the Tools palette to disable automatic tool selection. If automatic tool selection is disabled, you can press the spacebar to switch to the next most commonly used tool.

If automatic tool selection is enabled, you can select specific tools in the following ways:

• Move the cursor over an object and press the <Ctrl> key to temporarily switch to the next most useful tool. You must deselect the object the cursor is over to switch from the Positioning tool to another tool. (Mac OS) Press the <Option> key. (Linux) Press the <Alt> key.
• Press the <Shift> key to temporarily switch to the Positioning tool.
• Move the cursor over any open front panel or block diagram space and press the <Shift-Ctrl> keys to temporarily switch to the Scrolling tool. (Mac OS) Press the <Shift-Option> keys. (Linux) Press the <Shift-Alt> keys.