Opening SubVI Front Panels During Execution

A single front panel sometimes is too restrictive to present numerous options or displays. To solve this problem, organize VIs so the top-most VI presents high-level options, and subVIs present related options.

Tip  You also can use tab controls to make the front panel more usable.

When LabVIEW calls a subVI, ordinarily the subVI runs without opening its front panel. If you want a single instance of the subVI to open its front panel when called, use the SubVI Node Setup dialog box.

If you want every instance of the subVI to open its front panel when called, use the VI Properties dialog box.

Single Instance

Complete the following steps to have a single instance of a subVI front panel open when called.

1. Place a subVI on the block diagram.
2. Right-click the subVI and select SubVI Node Setup from the shortcut menu.
3. Place checkmarks in the Show front panel when called and Close afterwards if originally closed checkboxes.
4. Click the OK button.
5. Run the top-level VI. The subVI front panel appears when the top-level VI calls it.

Every Instance

Complete the following steps to have every instance of a subVIs front panel open when called.

1. Double-click the subVI to open it and select File»VI Properties to display the VI Properties dialog box.
2. Select Window Appearance from the Category pull-down menu.
3. Click the Customize button and place checkmarks in the Show front panel when called and Close afterwards if originally closed checkboxes.
4. Click the OK button.
5. Save and close the subVI.
6. Run the top-level VI. Every instance of the subVI front panel opens when called.

You also can use the Show Front Panel On Call and the Show Front Panel On Load properties to display the front panel programmatically.