Selecting a Tool

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 most commonly used tools in the sequence they appear on the 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.

Tip You can configure LabVIEW to disable automatic tool selection and move through the most commonly used tools whenever you press the <Tab> key and to toggle automatic tool selection only when you press the <Shift-Tab> keys or click the Automatic Tool Selection button. Select Tools»Options to display the Options dialog box, select Environment from the Category list, and remove the checkmark from the Lock automatic tool selection checkbox.

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

  • 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. (macOS) Press the <Shift-Option> keys. (Linux) Press the <Shift-Alt> keys.