You can use the Query toolset to obtain element data and results. As you position the cursor over an element in the model plot in the current viewport, ABAQUS/CAE highlights the element and displays its label and type in the Probe Values dialog box. In addition, you can choose to display the following:
the element's connectivity, and
the current field output variable.
If the field output contains complex numbers, the value displayed and recorded is determined by the complex form specified in the Result Options dialog box. The current complex form is also recorded in parentheses next to each selected probe value. For more information on the complex form, see “Controlling the form of complex results,” Section 24.5.9.
Only exterior elements can be queried. If necessary, you can create a display group to reveal otherwise unavailable interior elements. For more information, see Chapter 52, “Using display groups to display subsets of your model.”
To help locate elements in the viewport, you may want to produce a model plot with all element edges visible before using the Query toolset. For more information, see “Controlling element and surface edge visibility,” Section 36.3.1.
To probe elements:
Locate the Probe Values dialog box.
From the main menu bar, select Tools
Query or click the 
tool in the toolbar. Select Probe values in the dialog box that appears; then click Apply. The Probe Values dialog box appears.
Select the step, frame, and field output variable for which ABAQUS/CAE will obtain values.
In the Probe Values dialog box, the Field Output field identifies the current step, frame, and field output variable.
To change the step or frame, click Step/Frame.
To change the field output variable, click Field Output.
To change the result options, select ResultOptions from the main menu bar.
Choose Select from viewport or Key-in label.
To select the elements that you want to probe, use either of the following techniques:
Select the elements directly from the viewport:
Click the Probe arrow, and select Elements.
The types of element information available are displayed in the second column of the Probe Values table.
Select the element information types that you want to include in your query.
In the Probe Values table, click anywhere along a table row to toggle probe display of the information type listed in the second column. When an information type is toggled on, ABAQUS/CAE can display that type of data in three locations for the selected element: in the third column of the Probe Values when you mouse over the element in the viewport, in the Selected Probe Values table when you choose an element, and in the probe values output file.
Note: Field output is available only if the current primary variable is a element-based variable, such as stress or strain.
When you toggle on a row that contains the field output variable, the Position options become available.
To choose the output position at which a field output variable is displayed, click the Position arrow and select Integration Pt, Centroid, Element Nodal, or Element Face.
Move the cursor to probe the model plot in the current viewport.
As you position the cursor over an element, ABAQUS/CAE displays the values of the items you have requested in the Probe Values table in the Probe Values dialog box.
Note: The display form of a complex-valued result is controlled by your choice in the Complex Form tab of the Result Options dialog box.
To select and accumulate values of interest, and to allow subsequent writing of these values to a file, click mouse button 1 while positioning the cursor over an element.
ABAQUS/CAE stores the data from the Probe Values table into the Selected Probe Values table. To identify your data, ABAQUS/CAE always includes the Part Instance and Node ID. The current complex form is also listed in parentheses after any complex values.
To select and accumulate values of interest, and to allow subsequent writing of these values to a file, click mouse button 1 while positioning the cursor over an element.
ABAQUS/CAE stores the data from the Probe Values table into the Selected Probe Values table. To identify your data, ABAQUS/CAE always includes the Part Instance and Node ID. The current complex form is also listed in parentheses after any complex values.
Enter the element labels directly into the table:
Click the Probe arrow, and select Elements.
The types of element information available are displayed in the second column of the Probe Values table.
Select the element information types that you want to include in your query.
In the Probe Values table, click anywhere along a table row to toggle probe display of the information type listed in the second column. When an information type is toggled on, ABAQUS/CAE can display that type of data in three locations for the selected element: in the third column of the Probe Values when you mouse over the element in the viewport, in the Selected Probe Values table when you choose an element, and in the probe values output file.
Note: Field output is available only if the current primary variable is a element-based variable, such as stress or strain.
When you toggle on a row that contains the field output variable, the Position options become available.
To choose the output position at which a field output variable is displayed, click the Position arrow and select Integration Pt, Centroid, Element Nodal, or Element Face.
Select the part instance from which you want to select element labels.
Enter the element label and press Enter.
Repeat the element selection steps until the Selected Probe Values table in the Probe Values dialog box includes all the nodes you want to query.
To delete data from the Selected Probe Values table or to clear or sort the table, click mouse button 3. For more information, see “Entering tabular data,” Section 3.2.7.
To save the data you have selected, click Write to File. For more information, see Chapter 35, “Generating tabular data reports.”
To exit probe mode, do one of the following:
Click the cancel 
button in the prompt area.
Click Cancel in the Probe Values dialog box.
Click mouse button 2.
Produce a plot in some other (e.g. undeformed, deformed) mode.
