Types of Icons
- Updated2026-05-29
- 3 minute(s) read
VIs, custom controls, project libraries, statecharts, classes, and XControls can all have icons in LabVIEW. Uniquely identify an item with an icon, and use a library icon to denote membership in a grouping, such as a project library.
Icons for VIs
Every VI displays an icon in the upper right corner of the front panel and block diagram windows.
An icon can contain text or images. If you use a VI as a subVI, the icon identifies the subVI on the block diagram of the VI. If you add the VI to a palette, the VI icon also appears on the Functions palette.
To edit a VI icon, use the Icon Editor. To display the Icon Editor, double-click the icon in the upper right corner of the front panel or block diagram window .
Use banners to identify related VIs. NI recommends creating and saving a banner as a template. You then can use this template for a related VI icon and modify the body of the VI icon to provide information about the specific VI.
Icons for Custom Controls
Icons for custom controls are similar to those of VIs. Every custom control displays an icon, shown as follows, in the upper right corner of the Control Editor window.
Double-click the icon in the upper right corner of the Control Editor window to display the Icon Editor dialog box, which you can use to edit the icon.
Icons for Project Libraries
Icons for project libraries are different from those of VIs or custom controls. LabVIEW applies a library icon to the icon of all objects in the library. NI recommends creating only a banner for the library icon. For example, you can create the following banner as a project library icon.
The icon for each object in the library then includes the banner, and you can modify the body of the icon to provide information about the specific object.
To view or edit the icon for the corresponding project library, use the General Settings page of the Project Library Properties dialog box.
Icons for Statecharts, Classes, and XControls
Icons for statecharts, classes, and XControls are similar to those of project libraries. Use the General Settings page of the Project Library Properties dialog box, Class Properties dialog box, or XControl Properties dialog box to view or edit the icon for the corresponding statechart, class, or XControl, respectively.
Related Information
- Using Libraries in LabVIEW Projects
- Adding VIs or Objects from the Functions or Controls Palette
Add VIs, custom functions, or custom controls to the Functions or Controls palette and then add those VIs, functions, or controls to a new or existing VI.
- Creating an Icon with the Icon Editor
Create an icon to represent a VI or custom control graphically in the LabVIEW Icon Editor.
- Creating Custom Controls, Indicators, and Type Definitions
- Creating LabVIEW Classes
- Using XControls