Edit owned label text or free label text in LabVIEW to clarify function behavior and improve documentation.

You cannot edit the label of a subVI. However, as you create VI descriptions, you can edit function labels to reflect the use of the function on the block diagram. For example, you can use the label of an Add function to document what quantities are added or why they are added at that point on the block diagram.

Tip You cannot edit owned labels at run time. If you want to programmatically edit these labels, replace each label with a caption. Captions look the same, and you can edit them at run time. Additionally, captions can also be localized, while owned labels should not be localized.

To edit an owned label or a free label, complete the following steps.

  1. If necessary, right-click the object and select Visible Items » Label to display the label.

    The labels for structures, functions, constants, and wires are not visible by default.

  2. Use the Labeling tool to click the label and highlight the text you want to edit.
    • Double-click the label to highlight a word or triple-click the label to highlight the entire label.
    • If automatic tool selection is enabled, double-click the label to switch to the Labeling tool and highlight the text you want to edit.
  3. Edit the label text.

    You can press Enter to add a new line.

    Note (Linux) When editing any control with text in it, such as a text label, you can use the middle mouse button to paste the most recently highlighted text without having to copy or cut the text first.
  4. Complete the edit operation:
    • Click anywhere outside the label.
    • Click the Enter button on the toolbar.
    • Press Enter on the numeric keypad.
    • Press Ctrl+Enter.[1]1 macOS: Press Option+Enter. Linux: Press Alt+Enter.
    Tip You can complete edit operations with the Enter key on the keyboard if you place a checkmark in the End text entry with Enter key checkbox in Tools » Options... » Environment.
    When the text of an owned label changes, LabVIEW must recompile the VI and possibly recompile the VI callers.

1 macOS: Press Option+Enter. Linux: Press Alt+Enter.