Saving Constraints in Memory - Saving Constraints in Memory - 2026.1 English - UG903

Vivado Design Suite User Guide: Using Constraints (UG903)

Document ID
UG903
Release Date
2026-07-01
Version
2026.1 English

You must have a design in memory to validate constraints during editing. When you edit a constraint in the IDE, Vivado issues the equivalent XDC command in the Tcl Console to apply it in memory. You must apply an edited timing constraint in memory before saving it to the XDC file.

Before running synthesis or implementation, save the constraints in memory back to an XDC file in the project. The IDE prompts you to save constraints when necessary.

Do one of the following to save your constraints manually:

  • Click Save Constraints.
  • Select File > Constraints > Save.
Note: When you save the in-memory constraints, a dialog box warns that this can cause synthesis and implementation to go out of date. Select Remember Preference in the dialog box to disable this warning.

When you save constraints, Vivado, the following happens:

  • Saves all new constraints to the XDC file marked target in the constraints set for the design.
  • Saves all edited constraints back to the XDC file from which they originated.
Note: The constraints management system preserves the original XDC file format as much as possible.