Here is a list of useful shortcuts which was compiled through the LabVIEW Core 1 and Core 2 exercises. Please note that these shortcuts are for the Windows version of LabVIEW 2017.

Control T: View front panel and block diagram at the same time

Control E: Switch between front panel window and block diagram without tiling the windows

Control H: Open the context help window

Control R: Run the VI

Control Space: Open the quick drop dialog box, this basically allows you to search and place the item needed, provided you know what the item is called.

Control B: Delete all broken wires

Control U: Reroutes all existing wires and rearranges objects on the block diagram automatically

Control Click an Input: Switches the input around. E.g. Click on an input of a ‘subtract’ block to switch the inputs around.

Double Click: Creates a free label/comment.

When blocks are selected, hold shift when pressing arrow keys to move them in five pixel increments.

Using an Icon Editor

  • Double-click the Selection Tool to select the existing graphic. Pressing Delete to clear the existing graphic.
  • Double-click the Rectangle Tool to create a border for the icon.

Adding label to an existing wire

To add a label or comment to an existing wire:

  1. Right click on the wire with the normal cursor
  2. Click Visible Items
  3. Click Label

Alternatively, to speed up the process, you can just:

  1. Right click on the wirte with the normal cursor
  2. Press v
  3. Press Enter twice

Copying an existing blocks

  1. Hold Control key
  2. Drag on an existing block, a copy will be made and will follow the mouse to wherever you want to place it.

For more shortcuts, please see the link to Official LabView 2017 Shortcut List