Opening VI Files

The VI file type is primarily associated with LabVIEW.

VI	File extension: VI
	File type:	LabVIEW Virtual Instrument file

What is a VI file?

VI files mostly belong to LabVIEW. LabVIEW Virtual Instrument (VI) files store graphical programming code used in instrument control and test automation. They include both a visual block diagram and a front panel for user interaction.
These files are created and run in the LabVIEW environment by National Instruments (NI website).

The block diagram holds the programming logic in a non-text form.

The front panel acts as the interface for monitoring and control.

They are meant to work with a dedicated runtime engine, not on generic text editors.

On rare occasions, some software like Pinnacle Studio may refer to a VI file as a video format, but the core design is for virtual instruments.

How to open a VI file

You need a suitable software like LabVIEW to open a VI file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your VI file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a VI file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online VI File Viewer

Choose your .vi file to view this image

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

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How to convert a VI file to JPG, PDF, HTML, DOC, ...

If you want to convert or edit a VI file, you can use our free Online VI File Converter (powered by Convert.Guru):

Just click the "Choose your .vi file to view this image" button on this page.
Your VI file will then be displayed in the browser.
Now click on "Save as..." at the top of the page.
Then click the file format (e.g. PDF, JPG, DOCX, TXT, ...) you want.
Your file will be converted and downloaded.

Programs that open and convert VI files:

LabVIEW
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. VI files are often referred to as LabVIEW developers because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
FreeFlow (Variable Information (VI) Project File) by Xerox Corporation
FreeFlow solutions help you connect with your customers. The identifying characters used for this association are - Hex: 9D DB C5 26, ASCII: ...&.
Jovian Logic VI Graphics
Related links: XnView
LabVIEW (Virtual Instrument File) by National Instruments Corporation
LabVIEW is a software tool for designing test, measurement, and control systems. The identifying characters used for this association are - Hex: 52 53 52 43 0D 0A 00 03 4C 56 49 4E 4C 42 56 57 00, ASCII: RSRC....LVINLBVW. Related links: Wikipedia LabVIEW Page
Watcom VI Editor Script

VI file extension format:

To view or edit VI files you need to know the file format, because it determines how the data in this file is stored. The first characters in a file identify the file format, for example, HTML files start with the bytes <html>. If the file extension does not match the file format, double-clicking on the file will cause an error upon opening. Exact knowledge of the format is therefore important in order to solve problems occurring in files. Below you will find our evaluation of the VI files:

VI is a very common file type and predominantly uses a uniform format. The two most popular formats are as follows:

95% of all VI files belong to LABView Virtual Instrument. These files contain neither text nor words, but only data. VI files are between 10 KB and 180 KB in size. The file type was created 10 years ago, but is still used today. The files contain the following words: LVINLBVW and RSRC. Files like these are sometimes connected to read, data, write, control, ascii, temperature, labview, project and serial.
1% of all VI files have the same signature LabVIEW Measurement Writer_Version 2 Reader_Version. If you open these files in a text editor, you can view and read the content yourself. The files are 77 KB to 85 KB in size, with a median of 78 KB. The following keywords are characteristic: 2020/08/24, Absolute, Date, Decimal_Separator, LabVIEW Measurement, Multi_Headings, Operator, Panagiotis, Reader_Version, Time, Time_Pref, Writer_Version and X_Columns. Such files sometimes refer to expriment, lvdt, photosensor and expriement.

The remaining 4% of all VI files are files with no common format, frequently e.g. ArcSoft VideoImpression project and Jovian Logic VI bitmap. These files are often connected to time, assignment, create, back, array, acquisition, calculator, modulation, niverified, voltage, basic, check, real, temp or text. Just click the "Choose your .vi file to view this image" button on this page to find out what your VI file is.

Technical Data for VI File Extension

File classification:

Developer

Identifier:

Hex: 52 53 52 43 0D 0A 00 03 4C 56 49 4E 4C 42 56 57 00, ASCII: RSRC....LVINLBVW (provided by TrID database)

Related files:

lvproj, llb, lvlib, ctl, mnu, lvclass, vi2, lvm, zip, vl, ctl, seq, ni, iv, gvi, blf, exe, txt, v1, v, rsrc, lnk, rar, h5, tdms

Related links:

Wikipedia LabVIEW Page

Mime type:

application/octet-stream

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: GraphicsConverterPro.vi, FileType: Jovian VI, AppName: GraphicsConverter-reg
EXEFile: GraphicsConverter.exe

ProgramID: avifile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\K-Lite Codec Pack\media player classic\mplayerc.exe %L

ProgramID: avifile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe /Open %L

ProgramID: avifile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe /prefetch:8 /Open %L

ProgramID: Cliprex Video File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Cliprex DVD Player Professional\cdivx.exe %L

ProgramID: LabVIEWInstrument
EXEFile: C:\Robolab 2.5.4\Robolab254.exe %1

ProgramID: NeroShowTime.Files
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Ahead\Nero ShowTime\ShowTime.exe %1

ProgramID: RealPlayer.AVI.6
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Real\RealOne Player\RealPlay.exe %1

ProgramID: viFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ArcSoft\Camera Suite\VideoImpression\vi20.exe %1

ProgramID: viFile
EXEFile: C:\camera\VideoImpression\vi20.exe %1

ProgramID: Winamp.File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Winamp\Winamp.exe %1

ProgramID: viFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ArcSoft\VideoImpression 2\vi20.exe %1

ProgramID: LabVIEWInstrument
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\National Instruments\LabVIEW 6 Eval\LabVIEW.exe %1

ProgramID: viFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ArcSoft\Software Suite\VideoImpression\vi20.exe %1

ProgramID: XnView.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\XnView\xnview.exe %1

ProgramID: LabVIEWInstrument
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\National Instruments\LabVIEW 7.0\LabVIEW.exe %1

ProgramID: LabVIEWInstrument
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\National Instruments\LabVIEW 8.0\LabVIEW.exe

ProgramID: viFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Hercules\WebCam Station\VideoImpression\vi20.exe

ProgramID: LabVIEWInstrument
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Robolab\Engine\ROBOLAB252.exe

Show all 19 listings To Top

a vi LabVIEW Virtual Instrument file is a special file format and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with VI files

Associate the VI file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open labview virtual instrument files. Because only the current version supports the latest VI file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the manufacturer website after an available LabVIEW update.
To make sure that your VI file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .VI file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.