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  1. Home
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  3. What Is LabVIEW?

What is NI LabVIEW?

LabVIEW is a graphical programming environment that provides unique productivity accelerators for test system development—such as an intuitive approach to programming, connectivity to any instrument, fully integrated user interfaces, and the test-optimized NI Nigel™ AI.

See pricing
Request a LabVIEW and Nigel demo

LabVIEW Features & Benefits

Learn about the capabilities in LabVIEW that enable and accelerate test system development.

Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

MathWorks® and MATLAB® are registered trademarks of The MathWorks, Inc.

Intel, Intel Core, and Pentium are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries.

What Can I Do with LabVIEW?

Build Automated Test and Measurement Applications


LabVIEW is the engineers’ tool of choice for developing automated test systems. From performing a simple voltage measurement to advancing space missions, it has what you need to build automated test systems, fast.


Test and measurement applications are unique and involve real-world signals which present a variety of challenges. From hardware setup to data analysis, each step brings a new complexity. LabVIEW is the solution purpose-built for engineers in test and measurement.


  • LabVIEW can connect to any instrument, regardless of vendor
  • LabVIEW has a native user interface for monitoring and controlling test
  • LabVIEW has thousands of engineering analysis functions
Engineer using LabVIEW

How LabVIEW Works

This diagram shows an example LabVIEW application for acquiring data. You will need to install the instrument’s driver to read data; LabVIEW has more than 7,000 available. Then, with built-in functions you can perform analysis, like an FFT, and display it on a chart or graph. You can also implement logic to automate another device or save the data to a file.


This example is very simple. Every LabVIEW application is unique—built by you.

The diagram shows the flow of a LabVIEW program. Hardware measures a real-world signal, which LabVIEW then acquires through instrument drivers. Users can perform data analysis, display the data on the user interface, and save the data to a file.

Graphical Programming

LabVIEW uses G, a graphical, high-level programming language that offers a more intuitive programming experience than scripting languages. LabVIEW applications resemble engineering diagrams and help you think in the same way your application operates.


  • Dataflow programming—LabVIEW accelerates development by abstracting syntax and providing a visual approach in application development.
  • Parallel programming—Engineers increase performance by completing tasks in parallel. The inherent parallelism in LabVIEW allows multitasking and multithreading without complex coding.
  • Interactive debugging—LabVIEW automatically compiles code at each step and has interactive debugging tools. Users are warned of issues and can step through execution to resolve them.
Learn more

Hardware Integration

Engineers use LabVIEW to connect to all their measurement devices and instruments, whether they’re in the lab, on the factory floor, or deployed in the field. The extensive LabVIEW driver library allows you to acquire data and control any instrument, regardless of vendor or connection.


  • NI hardware drivers—Gain access to a wide measurement platform with hundreds of I/O modules and instruments on USB, NI CompactDAQ, and PXI. Tight platform integration simplifies development, channel expansion, synchronization, and triggering.
  • More than 7,000 instrument drivers—Get unparalleled instrument connectivity with LabVIEW. Any device is accessible and programmable with drivers that abstract numerous low-level commands into high-level functions.
  • Remote and embedded targets—Recompile code developed in Windows to run on real-time and FPGA hardware for high-speed, low-latency, and reliable performance.
Learn more

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Nigel AI

Nigel is the first AI built for test. It provides helpful information and contextual programming advice from within the LabVIEW environment, accelerating your learning and development—so you can be even more productive.

Meet Nigel

LabVIEW Customer Stories and Case Studies

LabVIEW and the NI Software Platform

Do More with the NI LabVIEW+ Suite

The LabVIEW+ Suite includes LabVIEW plus more software to assist with measurement, analysis, and test. Get NI’s test executive software, data acquisition software, measurement data analytics software, and more in the LabVIEW+ Suite.

Explore LabVIEW+ Suite

The future of NI LabVIEW

NI is committed to investing in our software platform and ensuring the decisions we make are aligned to your needs and priorities.
View NI LabVIEW roadmap

Compare LabVIEW With Other Software

Engineers choose LabVIEW for its seamless hardware connectivity, advanced data visualization and analysis capabilities,
ease of development, graphical programming style, and AI integration.

Feature

LabVIEW

General-Purpose Programming Languages

Vendor-Specific Software

Hardware Connectivity

7,000+ instrument drivers, NI and third party

Driver availability limited or varies

Limited to vendor’s hardware

Data Visualization

Native front panel, drag-and-drop functionality

Time-intensive development

Fixed functionality UI

Data Analysis Capabilities

Thousands of built-in functions and trusted IP

Build or find community-built libraries

Fixed set

Ease of Development, Programming

Improved development after initial learning curve

Varies as users have mixed coding experience

No programming, fixed functionality

Scalability

Compatible with other tools as complexity increases

Complexity and development required significantly increases as application grows

Varies by product

Programming Style

Graphical

Script

No programming/NA

AI Integration

Fully integrated, test-optimized AI

Generic, siloed

Varies by product

LabVIEW Resources

See all LabVIEW Resources
Product Documentation

LabVIEW User Manual

The LabVIEW User Manual provides detailed descriptions of the product functionality and step-by-step processes for its use.

Product Documentation

LabVIEW Release Notes

This page provides information related to a specific LabVIEW version release—including release notes, known issues, bug fixes, and behavior changes.

Product Documentation

LabVIEW Programming Reference Manual

The LabVIEW Programming Reference Manual includes detailed descriptions of functions, methods, and properties as well as error code descriptions and dialog box references.


LabVIEW System Requirements

Your system must meet the following requirements to run and use LabVIEW.

Processor

  • Intel® Pentium® 4 G1 equivalent
  • (Intel® Core™ i5 equivalent or higher recommended)

RAM

  • Minimum 4 GB
  • (8 GB or more recommended)

Disk

  • Minimum 12 GB

Screen Resolution

  • Minimum 1024 x 768 resolution
  • (1366 x 768 or higher recommended)

Are you ready to get started with LabVIEW?

Start building your first LabVIEW application today with a free trial or purchase.
Start free trialCompare editions and pricing
Engineers at Sub-Zero Rely on LabVIEW
LabVIEW was built by engineers for engineers. Engineers like Chase Fearing and his team at Sub-Zero depend on LabVIEW to solve all their test challenges. Sub-Zero is a brand that promises unmatched quality through rigorous testing—and they rely on LabVIEW to perform those tests. Its intuitive, graphical programming helps them approach problems and develop solutions more easily.
Hear from Chase
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Airbus Counts on LabVIEW for Critical UAV Testing
Airbus engineers use LabVIEW to simplify the complexity of developing and validating cutting-edge unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems. Working alongside NI CompactRIO and NI CompactDAQ hardware, LabVIEW helped the team accelerate development of a high-performance electrical rig. LabVIEW allows the team to adapt quickly, which is essential for applications where flexibility, precision, and speed are critical.
Read the case study
Honda Engineers Use LabVIEW to Accelerate Fuel Cell Innovation
At Honda, LabVIEW plays a key role in developing new methods for measuring fuel cell impedance with greater speed and accuracy. Along with NI CompactDAQ and custom hardware, LabVIEW enables fast prototyping, seamless hardware integration, and efficient data handling. For a team pushing the boundaries of sustainable mobility, LabVIEW helps Honda move from concept to validation with confidence.
Read the case study
Philips Builds a Scalable Test Platform with LabVIEW at the Core
To reduce development time and costs, Philips created a flexible test platform built on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components. LabVIEW plays a central role, enabling fast integration, code reuse, and simplified automation across both R&D and production. Combined with NI PXI and NI TestStand, LabVIEW gives Philips the agility to support multiple product lines while maintaining the precision required for critical medical devices.
Read the case study

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