Use annotations on a graph to highlight data points in the plot area. The annotation includes a label and an arrow that identifies the annotation and the data point.

A graph can have any number of annotations.

Note 3D graphs do not support annotations.
Figure 18. Sample Graph with Annotation
Graph with annotations highlighting a minimum data point.

Complete the following steps to add an annotation to a graph.

  1. Right-click the graph and select Data Operations » Create Annotation to display the Create Annotation dialog box.
    Use the Create Annotation dialog box to specify the annotation name and how the annotation snaps to plots in the plot area.
  2. Click the OK button to close the Create Annotation dialog box.
    The new annotation appears on the graph.
  3. Right-click the annotation and use the following options from the shortcut menu to customize the annotation:
    • Lock Style: Sets the way in which the annotation snaps to plots and can be moved in the plot area. Lock Style includes the following options:
      • Snap to All Plots: Allows you to move the annotation to the nearest data point along any plot in the plot area.
      • Snap to One Plot: Allows you to move the annotation only along the specified plot.
      • Free: Allows you to move the annotation anywhere in the plot area. LabVIEW does not snap the annotation to any plots in the plot area.
    • Attributes: Customize the appearance and behavior of each annotation. Attributes includes the following options:
      • Color: Displays the color picker so you can select the color of the annotation, including its point, arrow, and name.
      • Annotation Style: Provides various styles for the annotation. LabVIEW draws the selected style, in combination with the Point Style option, at the focal point of the annotation.
      • Point Style: Provides various point styles for the annotation. LabVIEW draws the selected style, in combination with the Cursor Style option, at the focal point of the annotation.
      • Line Style: Provides various solid and dotted line styles for the annotation.
      • Line Width: Provides various line widths for the annotation.
      • Show Name: Displays the annotation name in the plot area.
      • Allow Drag: Allows you to drag the annotation.
      • Lock Name: Positions the annotation name absolutely. That is, when you move the annotation or scroll the plot area, the annotation name does not move in the plot area.
      • Show Arrow: Displays the arrow that points from the annotation name to the annotated data point.
    • X Scale: Allows you to choose the x-scale that maps a pixel location to a data value for the annotation.

      This option applies only to free annotations.

    • Y Scale —Allows you to choose the y-scale that maps a pixel location to a data value for the annotation.

      This option applies only to free annotations.

    • Delete Annotation: Deletes the annotation from the graph.
      Tip To delete all annotations in the plot area, right-click the graph and select Data Operations » Delete All Annotations from the shortcut menu.
  4. To move annotations or the names of annotations:
    • Click and drag the crosshairs of the annotation to move the annotation to a different data point in the plot area.
    • Click and drag the annotation name to move it to a different location in the plot area.
Tip To get an array of information about all annotations in the plot area programmatically, use the Annotation List property.