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<title>Prepared By R.R. Donnelley Financial -- Form 8-K</title>
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<b>UNITED STATES </b></font>
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<b>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </b></font></div>

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<b>Washington D.C., 20549 </b></font></div>

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<b>Form 8-K </b></font></div> <div><font Size="1">&nbsp;</font></div>

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<b>Current Report </b></font></div>

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<b>Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </b></font></div>

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<b>Date Of Report (Date Of Earliest Event Reported):&nbsp;&nbsp;07/27/2004 </b></font></div>

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<b>NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORP /DE/ </b></font></div>

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<b>(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)</b></font></div>

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<b>Commission File Number:&nbsp;&nbsp;000-25426        </b></font></div>

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<b>(State or Other Jurisdiction of</b></font>
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<div Align="center"><font Face="times New Roman" Size="2" Color="#000000"><b>(I.R.S. Employer</b></font>
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<b>Incorporation or Organization)</b></font>
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<b>Identification No.)</b></font>
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<b>11500 North Mopac Expressway  </b></font></div>

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<b>Austin, TX 78759 </b></font>
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<b>(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)</b></font>
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<b>(512)683-6818 </b></font>
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<b>(Registrant&#146;s Telephone Number, Including Area Code) </b></font>
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Items to be Included in this Report</b>
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<b>Item 7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Financial statements and exhibits</b></font>
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(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Exhibits.<p>99.1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Press Release dated July 27, 2004.</font>
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<b>Item 9.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Regulation FD Disclosure</b></font>
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The press release filed as an exhibit to this report is being furnished under Item 12 (Furnishing of Earnings Releases) as contemplated by SEC Release Nos. 33-8176 and 33-8216.</font>
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<b>Signature(s) </b></font>
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Pursuant to the Requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the Undersigned hereunto
duly authorized. </font>
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	&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORP /DE/</font>
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	Date: July 27, 2004.</font>
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	By:</font>
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	/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;David G. Hugley</font>
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	&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;David G. Hugley</font>
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	<div Style="margin-left:9%"><font Face="times New Roman" Size="2" Color="#000000">Vice President and General Counsel, Secretary</font>
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<b>Exhibit Index </b></font>
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	<b>Exhibit&nbsp;No.</b></font>
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	<b>Description</b></font>
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	EX-99.1</font>
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	Press Release dated July 27, 2004</font>
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Prepared By R.R. Donnelley Financial -- Form 8-K
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington D.C., 20549
Form 8-K
Current Report
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date Of Report (Date Of Earliest Event Reported):  07/27/2004
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORP /DE/
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Commission File Number:  000-25426
DE
741871327
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)
Identification No.)
11500 North Mopac Expressway
Austin, TX 78759
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)
(512)683-6818
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Items to be Included in this Report
Item 7.    Financial statements and exhibits
(c)        Exhibits.
99.1        Press Release dated July 27, 2004.
Item 9.    Regulation FD Disclosure
The press release filed as an exhibit to this report is being furnished under Item 12 (Furnishing of Earnings Releases) as contemplated by SEC Release Nos. 33-8176 and 33-8216.
Signature(s)
Pursuant to the Requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the Undersigned hereunto
duly authorized.
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORP /DE/
Date: July 27, 2004.
By:
/s/    David G. Hugley
David G. Hugley
Vice President and General Counsel, Secretary
Exhibit Index
Exhibit No.
Description
EX-99.1
Press Release dated July 27, 2004