Single-Stepping

Single-step through a VI to view each action of the VI on the block diagram as the VI runs. The single-stepping buttons affect execution only in a VI or subVI in single-step mode. You can single-step through subVIs or run them normally.

Complete the following steps to single-step through a VI.

  1. Click the Start Single Stepping button on the block diagram toolbar.
  2. Click one of the following buttons:

     Step Into—Opens a node and pauses. When you click the Step Into button again, it executes the first action and pauses at the next action of the subVI or structure. You also can press the <Ctrl> key and the down arrow key.



    Macintosh Press <Command>-down arrow key. Sun Press <Meta>-down arrow key. Linux Press <Alt>-down arrow key.

     Step Over—Executes a node and pauses at the next node. You also can press the <Ctrl> key and the right arrow key.



    Macintosh Press <Command>-right arrow key. Sun Press <Meta>-right arrow key. Linux Press <Alt>-right arrow key.

     Step Out—Finishes executing the current node and pauses. When the VI finishes executing, the Step Out button becomes dimmed. You also can press the <Ctrl> key and the up arrow key.



    Macintosh Press <Command>-up arrow key. Sun Press <Meta>-up arrow key. Linux Press <Alt>-up arrow key.

    If you single-step through a VI with execution highlighting on, an execution glyph appears on the icons of the subVIs that are currently running. Also, when you single-step through a VI, the node under review flashes. Move the cursor over the Step Over, Step Into, or Step Out button to view a tip strip that describes the next step if you click that button.
  3. End single-stepping by clicking the Step Out button when a blinking border surrounds the entire block diagram. The stepping buttons are dimmed when single-stepping is no longer active.