Why can't I find any nodes in the Node Finder or in the Assign Pins dialog box?

You cannot see any nodes in the Node Finder or in the Assign Pins dialog box in the Quartus II software(Processing menu --> Compiler Settings dialog box --> Chips and Devices tab) until your design has been analyzed and elaborated.

Once you analyze and elaborate your design, the nodes present in your design will be available via the Node Finder or the Assign Pins dialog box.

You can make pin assignments prior to analysis and elaboration by manually entering the pin names, as specified below:

1. Select Compiler Settings (Processing menu)
2. Select the Chips & Devices tab
3. Select the Assign Pins button
4. Select the specific device pins to which you want to make assignments.
5. Type the pin name and press Add.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for any other pin names that you want to assign to specific device pins.

For additional information about finding nodes in the Quartus II Simulator, please refer to the following solution: Why can't the Quartus software version 1999.06 find any nodes for my Vector Waveform File (.vwf) after a successful compilation?