I/O Controls and Indicators

Use the I/O controls on the I/O and Classic I/O palettes with the functions for acquiring data, sharing data between applications, and controlling instruments. You can use the I/O controls to specify the instrument or device resource you want to communicate with.

  • Use the waveform control to hold acquired data for analysis and display.
  • Use the controls located on the DAQmx Name Controls palette to access the tasks, global channels, physical channels, terminals, scales, devices, and switch resources you configure using Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) and the DAQ Assistant.
    Note (Windows) LabVIEW supports NI-DAQmx and the DAQ Assistant. (Linux) LabVIEW supports NI-DAQmx but not the DAQ Assistant. (macOS) LabVIEW supports NI-DAQmx Base but not the DAQ Assistant.
  • Use the VISA resource name and IVI logical name controls to access the VISA aliases or logical names you configure using MAX.
  • Use the FieldPoint I/O point control to access the FieldPoint items you create and configure using MAX.
  • Use the IMAQ session with image acquisition boards.
  • Use the Motion resource I/O control to access a motion resource you configure using MAX. Any items you configure in MAX appear as options in the I/O control pull-down menu.
  • Use the shared variable control to select, browse to, or enter shared variables for use in VIs.
  • Use any of the other controls in the palette to access names or resources associated with them.

After you select an I/O control, configure it for use with the I/O VIs that communicate with the device or instrument.

Note Many I/O name controls are available on all platforms. You can develop I/O VIs on any platform that can communicate with devices that are platform-specific. However, if you try to run a VI with a platform-specific I/O control on a platform that does not support that device, you will receive an error.

Some of the controls allow you to select multiple defined names. Use the Operating tool to click the control, select Browse from the pull-down menu, and press the <Ctrl> key. (macOS) Press the <Option> key. (Linux) Press the <Alt> key.

Refer to the respective toolkit, module, or driver documentation for more information about LabVIEW add-ons.