Step Types List

The Step Types list contains the step types from the loaded type palette files specified in the Types window and from the active Sequence File window. Before you insert a step that can use any module adapter, such as the Action , Numeric Limit Test , Multiple Numeric Limit Test , String Value Test , and Pass/Fail Test step types, you must select an adapter by clicking on an adapter icon above the Step Types list. You can customize the structure of the Step Type list menu in the Step Type Menu Editor dialog box by selecting Customize from the context menu of the Step Types list. You can also specify which adapters are available using the Adapter Configuration dialog box. TestStand stores the settings for the Step Types list, including any customizations to the list of steps or available adapters, in the <TestStand Application Data> \Cfg\GeneralEngine.cfg file.

Templates List

Use the Templates list to hold copies of steps, variables, and sequences you reuse during the development of sequence files. For example, you can add a step that calls a specific LabVIEW VI you typically use or a sequence that contains common setup steps, cleanup steps, and local variables.

Drag steps from the Steps pane, variables from the Variables pane, and sequences from the Sequences pane and drop them on the Templates list to add steps, variables, or sequences to the Templates list. Use the context menu to rename, copy, paste, delete, import, and export the items in the Templates list. You can drag and drop items to rearrange the list. Select Insert Folder from the context menu to add folders to the list. TestStand stores the settings for the Templates list, including any modifications to the list, in the <TestStand Application Data> \Cfg\Templates.ini file.

You must drag a sequence, step, or variable from the Templates list to a sequence file, make changes, drag the item back to the Templates list, and delete the original item from the Templates list to edit the item.

Step templates differ from custom step types , which have similar functionality but different use cases.

IO Configurations List

The IO Configurations list contains the exported IO Configuration files that are present in the %public%\Documents\National Instruments\TestStand\Shared\IO Configurations\ folder. For any IO Configuration file, you can see all the IO sessions defined in it by clicking Expand . The IO Configurations list reflects the state of the folder. For example, when you add a new IO Configuration file to the folder, the IO Configurations list updates to include the new file. If you delete an existing IO Configuration file from the folder, the IO Configurations list updates to remove the IO Configuration. Renaming an IO configuration within the IO Configurations list renames the file in the folder.

Using an IO Configuration

You can perform the following operations on an IO Configuration in the IO Configurations list:

• Delete —You can delete any configuration listed in the IO Configurations list by selecting the configuration and then clicking Delete or by using the context menu. Deleting an IO Configuration from IO Configurations list will also delete the corresponding file from %public%\Documents\National Instruments\TestStand\Shared\IO Configurations folder. However, you cannot delete IO sessions defined in a specific IO Configuration.
  Note You cannot undo the delete operation.
• Rename —You can rename IO Configurations in the IO Configurations list by selecting the Configuration and then pressing <F2> or by using the context menu. Once you rename a particular IO configuration, the name updates in the IO Configurations list and the file on disk is renamed.
• Edit —You can edit an IO Configuration by using the context menu. After you edit a configuration, TestStand launches the editor with the specific IO Configuration.
  Note InstrumentStudio 2019 is the only supported editor in TestStand 2019.
• View Details —You can see additional information about a configuration or session by hovering over a specific IO Configuration in the Configurations View or by using the context menu and clicking View Detail . The IO Configuration dialog opens and displays detailed information about the configuration.
• Use in a TestStand Sequence File —You can use one of the following operations to to create new hardware sessions associated with an IO configuration, apply an IO configuration to an existing IO session, sweep on IO session attributes, and close all IO sessions opened:
  • Double-click an IO Configuration in the IO Configurations list. TestStand inserts a new Create Sessions and Apply Configuration step. When initialized, the new step uses a copy of all the IO Configurations you select.
  • Select IO Configuration item(s) on the IO Configurations list and press <Enter>. TestStand inserts a new Create Sessions and Apply Configuration step. When initialized, the new step uses a copy of all the IO Configurations you select.
  • Right-click an IO Configuration item on the IO Configurations list and select Insert . TestStand inserts a new Create Sessions and Apply Configuration step. When initialized, the new step uses a copy of all the IO Configurations you select.
  • Drag an IO Configuration item from the IO Configurations list and drop the item in the steps view. TestStand inserts a new Create Sessions and Apply Configuration step. When initialized, the new step uses a copy of all the IO Configurations you select.

Inserting Sequences, Steps, and Variables

You can use one of the following operations to insert a step from the Step Types list to the Steps pane, or a sequence, step, and variable from the Templates list to the Sequences, Steps, and Variables panes:

• Double-click an item on the Insertion Palette pane. TestStand inserts the item above the current step, sequence, or variable depending on the type of the item.
• Select an item on the Insertion Palette pane and press <Enter>. TestStand inserts the item below the current step, sequence, or variable depending on the type of the item.
• Right-click an item on the Insertion Palette pane and select Insert . TestStand inserts the item below the current step, sequence, or variable depending on the type of the item.
• Drag an item from the Insertion Palette pane and drop the item in the corresponding pane that contains a list of that type of items.

See Also

Adapter Configuration dialog box

Sequences Pane

Step Type Menu Editor dialog box

Steps Pane

Steps Pane Context Menu

Types Window

Variables Pane