Single-Stepping through a VI

Single-step through a VI to view each action of the VI on the block diagram as the VI runs. The single-stepping buttons affect execution only in a VI or subVI in single-step mode. You can single-step through subVIs or run them normally.

Complete the following steps to single-step through a VI.

  1. Click the Start Single Stepping button on the block diagram toolbar.
  2. Click one of the following buttons:

     Step Into—Opens a node and pauses. When you click the Step Into button again, it executes the first action and pauses at the next action of the subVI or structure. You also can press the <Ctrl> key and the down arrow key. (macOS) Press the <Command>-down arrow keys. (Linux) Press the <Alt>-down arrow keys.

     Step Over—Executes a node and pauses at the next node. You also can press the <Ctrl> key and the right arrow key. (macOS) Press the <Command>-right arrow keys. (Linux) Press the <Alt>-right arrow keys.

     Step Out—Finishes executing the current node and pauses. When the VI finishes executing, the Step Out button becomes dimmed. You also can press the <Ctrl> key and the up arrow key. (macOS) Press the <Command>-up arrow keys. (Linux) Press the <Alt>-up arrow keys.

    When you single-step through a VI, nodes blink to indicate they are ready to execute.

    Note Note  (MathScript RT Module) If the VI contains a MathScript Node, a blue arrow blinks next to lines of script to indicate they are ready to execute.

    Move the cursor over the Step Over, Step Into, or Step Out button to view a tip strip that describes the next step if you click that button. If you single-step through a VI with execution highlighting on, an execution glyph appears on the icons of the subVIs that are currently running.

  3. End single-stepping by clicking the Step Out button when a blinking border surrounds the entire block diagram. The stepping buttons are dimmed when single-stepping is no longer active.