Problem: Viewing and/or hiding labels on the block diagram is an important part of programming in LabVIEW. In general I display the labels of subVIs, native functions (e.g. TCP Read or Obtain Queue), constants, and structures such as Case Structures, For Loops, While Loops. But sometimes, for a variety of reasons, I choose to hide labels.
Currently toggling the visibility of labels can be done either by right-clicking and navigating to Visible Items >> Label or by using the AddLabels QuickDrop shortcut (Ctrl+Space + Ctrl+Q to make labels visible, Ctrl+Space + Ctrl+Shift+Q to make them invisible).
Both options are slow for such a common, repetitive, and necessary action. While I admire the intention of the QuickDrop shortcut, and do use it from time to time, it unfortunately cannot achieve the virtually-instant response that should be associated with this action.
Solution: Label visibility should be toggled by pressing a single key, for example key "L" for label. For example, if the TCP Read primitive was dropped with its label being hidden, then selecting the primitive and hitting "L" would make its label visible. No need to navigate with the mouse. No need to load QuickDrop (which can take more than one or two seconds, especially when working in large projects).
Notes
- While key "L" is proposed above, I would be happy with any other key being chosen as the trigger of this action.
- I would be happy with a key combination, such as "Ctrl + L" or similar being chosen.
- The action should work for groups of selected objects, just like the two current ways of toggling label visibility work on groups.
- The idea above refers strictly to objects on the Block Diagram, as that is where I need this feature most. It would be a bonus if the new functionality would apply to objects on the Front Panel too.
- This idea sits in the "improve developer productivity" category. I want my IDE to enable me to be as productive as possible. Every second matters. In fact, even tenths of a second matter.
