Adding a Directory to VI Search Path

LabVIEW first searches for a VI in memory. If the VI is in memory, LabVIEW opens that version. If the VI is not in memory, LabVIEW uses the VI search path to locate the VI. If you want to open a different version of a VI already in memory, the versions must have different names.

Complete the following steps to add a new directory to the VI search path.

  1. Select Tools»Options to display the Options dialog box.
  2. Select Path from the top pull-down menu.
  3. Select VI Search Path from the Path Chooser pull-down list.
  4. Remove the checkmark from the Use Default checkbox.
  5. Use the Browse button, which displays a File dialog box, or the pull-down menu to the right of the Browse button, which contains a list of paths, to select the directory that your LabVIEW development environment searches.
  6. After you select the path, LabVIEW inserts the path in the text box to the right of the Browse button. You can edit the path in this text box. When you select a path, LabVIEW normally searches that directory but not its subdirectories. You can make the search hierarchical by appending an asterisk (*) as a new path item. For example, LabVIEW/*, LabVIEW\*, or LabVIEW:*.
  7. Use the Insert Before, Insert After, or Replace buttons to add and move directories in the Path list. Click Remove to place the removed path in the text box in case you decide to re-insert it elsewhere in the list.
  8. Click the OK button when you finish adding a new directory to the search path. Changes to the VI search path take effect when you restart LabVIEW.