Getting Started Window

Requires: Base Package

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 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 appears only if you have the RT, FPGA, Mobile, Touch Panel, Blackfin, ARM, or DSP modules installed.

• Latest from ni.com—Launches the National Instruments Web site at ni.com. The links in this category display news feeds in a Web browser with the latest LabVIEW news articles and example code from ni.com.
  
  LabVIEW populates the following categories with content from ni.com relating to LabVIEW and any modules and toolkits you installed. LabVIEW notifies you of any new content by displaying the number of unread articles next to the category name. When you scroll over a category, the tip strip displays a list of the latest articles. You can choose to disable updates from ni.com on the Environment page of the Options dialog box.
  
  

  Note  LabVIEW disables updates from ni.com by default in localized versions of LabVIEW. Localized versions of LabVIEW do not support automatic updates from ni.com. In localized versions of LabVIEW, the links in this category display static content from ni.com in a Web browser.

  • News—Displays LabVIEW community news in a Web browser.
  • Technical Content—Displays LabVIEW technical content in a Web browser. The Technical Content news feed includes information about the application of LabVIEW and other National Instruments products across various industries.
  • Example Programs—Displays information about example programs for LabVIEW in a Web browser. The Example Programs news feed includes information about LabVIEW applications you can download.
  • Training Resources—Displays information about LabVIEW training resources in a Web browser.
• Online Support—Launches a form in a Web browser for you to request support. The links in this category direct you to support resources on the National Instruments Web site at ni.com.
  • Discussion Forums—Launches the NI Discussion Forums Web site at ni.com/forums.
  • Code Sharing—Launches the NI Developer Zone Community Web site at ni.com/community.
  • KnowledgeBase—Launches the KnowledgeBase Web site at ni.com.
  • Request Support—Launches a form in a Web browser for you to request support.
• Help—Launches 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. The links in this category launch LabVIEW documentation resources.
  • 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 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.
  • List of All New Features—Displays a list of new features in the latest version of LabVIEW.
• 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.