Different Labels for Each Array Element in LabVIEW

Updated Aug 22, 2023

Reported In

Software

  • LabVIEW

Issue Details

I have an application that uses an array control on the Front Panel. I want to label each of the elements, for example, strain gauge 1, 2, 3, etc...

Whenever I add a label to an element, it appears for every element in the array.

Can I have separate labels for each array element? 

Solution

It is not possible to have different labels for elements in an array. One workaround for this is to have free labels on the Front Panel positioned above each element in the array. 
 

 
If the automatic tool selector is enabled, you can double click on any blank space on the Front Panel to create a free label. See Creating Free Labels - LabVIEW Help for more information on creating free labels. 

 

Additional Information

Arrays can not have separate labels for each element because every item in an array must have all the exact same properties (colour, font, size, visibility, disabled, etc). Changing this would cause unfeasible memory increases in the sizes or LabVIEW arrays. 

Also consider disassembling your array and having each element as a separate control on the Front Panel. This will allow each control to have a separate label. Alternatively, clusters do allow for each individual element to have a different label, even if they are all of the same data type. This would require using the cluster functions, like Bundle/Unbundle, instead of array functions to manipulate the data.