LabVIEW Indicator appearance and functionality

[scottadamy01]

Hello,

I am new to LabVIEW and am required to support an existing application due to the retirement of a coworker.

I am attempting to insert a file path indicator to receive an element from an index array. The array is populated from a csv file that contains some application information. This particular item is a file path to a label format location. There is already a file path in the csv file that is being pulled in. I would like to just duplicate that functionality (i.e. use that as an example).

When I wire from the array element terminal, I am able to create a string to path object. After that, the existing item has what looks to be an object linked to an indicator. The context help for the indicator states that it is a file path indicator. I can't tell what style palette the indicator is from (Modern, Silver or Classic). When I go to create a new element in the index array, I can get to the point where I have the string to path object. However when I go to create the file path indicator, the symbol in the block diagram looks much different than the existing symbols used. In addition, the indicator on the front panel looks different and seems to have some different functionality. I have a fresh install of LabVIEW on my VM. When I go to the coworkers old computer, I am able to create the indicator and have the object in the block diagram look the same as the preexisting objects. However, there still seems to be something different in the front panel indicator. I suspect I am doing something different/wrong when creating this. I'm just not sure what.

Any thoughts or ideas on what I may be doing wrong would be appreciated. I apologize for the drawn out description. I'm not entirely sure I have the correct terminology.

Thanks!

[RavensFan]

Attach your VI.

Or at a bare minimum a picture of the front panel of your VI.

It is very difficult to tell you why something doesn't look the same when we can't see what you are looking at!

[scottadamy01]

I can't attach the VI due to the proprietary information it has inside.

The attached image shows the difference between the two file path objects in the block editor. The blue arrow shows what exists throughout the project. The red arrow shows what it looks like when I create it. Right now, the two associated front panel indicators seem to have the same appearance and property settings. I've gone through several iterations of trying to add these. So I don't recall how I got them to that point. I'm sure it's a newbie issue (i.e. lack of understanding). Thanks!

[RavensFan · Accepted solution]

I thought you were talking front panel.

That block diagram has a simple explanation.  It is terminal appearance.

Right click on it and look for "View as Icon".  The big boxy one as it checked.

The smaller one as it unchecked.

I prefer the smaller terminal as it takes up much less space.

I set my LabVIEW preferences (under options) to place new terminals as non-icons by default.  The factory default for newly installed LabVIEW is to show as icons which is probably what you have.

If you open an existing VI, the terminals will look like how they were set when that user placed them.  You create a new terminal, it will look like what your LabVIEW options are set for.

[scottadamy01]

Good grief! I thought it might be something that simple.

On another note, when I go to place a Classic File Path Indicator, the properties show the ability to change the scrollbar visibility. On an existing file path indicator, those options are disabled. Is there something that controls those settings that I'm not seeing?

Thanks again!

[RavensFan]

Try dragging the border of the indicator to make it bigger.

I think a small height file path is not big enough to show a scrollbar whether it is classic, modern, or other.

[scottadamy01]

I thought that might be the case also. I did try resizing the control but still had the options available. My concern was that I might be using a different control than what was originally used. That's probably not the case.

I'll play around with it a little more. Thanks for your help!

[Frozen]

If you right click the path control, you can select the visibility of the scroll bar.

NOTE: the control (or indicator) must be large enough or the scroll bar is greyed out

[RavensFan]

If you drop down a new one, the box is normal one line size and the option is greyed out.

Stretch it to give it more height, and the option is available.

Shrink it back down in height, the option will be greyed out again.

[scottadamy01]

I'm referring to the properties window. In a newly created file path indicator, the properties window allows the control of a scrollbar.

In an existing file path indicator, the properties are disabled.

It's not a huge issue. When I see that, I wonder if I have the same control/indicator. I can't find anywhere that is states what style it is.