-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 NgG1URS+g4VEbbqC1Gnb8nciPM7Gj4G7GCix3X7pQFWYDz9oTU31rj2JU1nZyzrF
 ULvpfFkxtEfpsfgJDGr3UA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000935494-07-000012.txt : 20070214
<SEC-HEADER>0000935494-07-000012.hdr.sgml : 20070214
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20070214122923
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000935494-07-000012
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20061231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20070214
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20070214

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ZOGAS PETER
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001193176

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-25426
		FILM NUMBER:		07616539

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS
		STREET 2:		11500 MOPAC, BUILDING B
		CITY:			AUSTIN
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			78759

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORP /DE/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000935494
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE [7372]
		IRS NUMBER:				741871327
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		11500 NORTH MOPAC EXPRESSWAY
		CITY:			AUSTIN
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			78759
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5123389119

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		11500 NORTH MOPAC EXPRESSWAY
		CITY:			AUSTIN
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			78759
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000935494</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORP /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NATI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001193176</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ZOGAS PETER</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>11500 N. MOPAC EXPRESSWAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>AUSTIN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>78759</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Senior Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-12-29</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>G</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>375</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>52153</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Bona fide gift</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>David G. Hugley as attorney-in-fact for Peter Zogas</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-02-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----