Local Variables, Global Variables, and the Feedback Node
- Updated2026-03-31
- 1 minute(s) read
In LabVIEW, you read data from or write data to a front panel object using its block diagram terminal. However, a front panel object has only one block diagram terminal, and your application might need to access the data in that terminal from more than one location.
Local and global variables pass information between locations in the application that you cannot connect with a wire. Use local variables to access front panel objects from more than one location in a single VI. Use global variables to access and pass data among several VIs.
Use a Feedback Node to store data from a previous VI or loop execution.
Refer to the Feedback Node - Building an Array in the Structures\Feedback Node directory for examples of the Feedback Node.
Related Information
- Local Variables
- Feedback Nodes: Storing Data between Loop Iterations
- Global Variables
- Read and Write Variables
You can read data from a local or global variable or write data to it. When you write new data to the variable, the associated front panel control or indicator updates to the new data.
- Using Local and Global Variables Carefully
- Creating Local Variables
- Changing the Data Direction of a Local Variable
- Creating Global Variables
- Changing the Data Direction of a Global Variable