# FAQs

**URL:** https://discourse.nodered.org/c/faqs/12.md

[Latest](https://discourse.nodered.org/latest.md) · [Categories](https://discourse.nodered.org/categories.md) · [Tags](https://discourse.nodered.org/tags.md)

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## [Getting Started Resources](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/getting-started-resources/84934)

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**Author:** [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [26 January 2024 09:34 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/getting-started-resources/84934 "2024-01-26T09:34:35Z")

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This question often comes up in the forum - how to get started with Node-RED. Use this thread to collect useful videos, tutorials, blogs, etc. Videos: Introduction to Node-RED series from the core devs Opto 22, Node-R…

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## [Protecting Node-RED from itself](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/protecting-node-red-from-itself/84904)

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**Author:** [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [25 January 2024 09:55 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/protecting-node-red-from-itself/84904 "2024-01-25T09:55:07Z")

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Because Node-RED is a general-purpose computing tool, it has the capabilities to make changes to the underlying Operating System environment. So if you want your instance of Node-RED to be "safe", especially in producti…

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## [How to add/update nodes to the Flow Library](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-add-update-nodes-to-the-flow-library/25294)

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**Author:** [@knolleary](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/knolleary)\
**Replies:** 3\
**Last updated:** [26 April 2020 22:12 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-add-update-nodes-to-the-flow-library/25294 "2020-04-26T22:12:23Z")

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The Flow Library will no longer automatically detect updates to modules on npm. (see this post for the background). Adding a new node to the library If you have a new node to add to the library, click on the + button at…

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## [About the FAQs category](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/about-the-faqs-category/108)

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**Author:** [@knolleary](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/knolleary)\
**Replies:** 0

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Frequently asked questions about Node-RED. Search in here to see if your question has already been answered.

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## [Using Cloudflare Zero Trust with Node-RED](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/using-cloudflare-zero-trust-with-node-red/99864)

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**Author:** [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Replies:** 11\
**Last updated:** [10 December 2025 12:27 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/using-cloudflare-zero-trust-with-node-red/99864 "2025-12-10T12:27:00Z")

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Hi all, finally got round to starting a comprehensive guide to setting up Cloudflare's Zero Trust proxy access. This is the first draft, please let me know of any issues. Note that this has been taken direct from the UI…

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## [Node-RED on Mac OS Sequoia - local network access issues](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-red-on-mac-os-sequoia-local-network-access-issues/97139)

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**Author:** [@ozdw](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/ozdw)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [4 October 2025 18:21 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-red-on-mac-os-sequoia-local-network-access-issues/97139 "2025-10-04T18:21:52Z")

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I had given up on getting Node-RED to run properly on my Mac after upgrading to Sequoia. The new Mac security protections that prevent local network access unless explicitly granted to applications is a real nightmare. …

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## [GitHub & npm Security](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/github-npm-security/99095)

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**Author:** [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Replies:** 4\
**Last updated:** [18 September 2025 12:14 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/github-npm-security/99095 "2025-09-18T12:14:05Z")

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Hi all, You are hopefully aware of the recent dramatic increase in attacks on open source supply chains. Especially code on GitHub and npm. I've been increasing security on my GitHub repositories over time and have re-…

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## [Using UIBUILDER with Plotly](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/using-uibuilder-with-plotly/97462)

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**Author:** [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Replies:** 12\
**Last updated:** [20 July 2025 20:34 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/using-uibuilder-with-plotly/97462 "2025-07-20T20:34:26Z")

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Many thanks to @Paul-Reed for prompting me on this. When using Plotly charts with UIBUILDER, you should note that their code is rather dated in places. In particular, their CSS styling is not really up to current standa…

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## [Quick BASH script to install a chosen version of node.js on Debian/Rasbian/etc](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/quick-bash-script-to-install-a-chosen-version-of-node-js-on-debian-rasbian-etc/95117)

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**Author:** [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Replies:** 4\
**Last updated:** [4 February 2025 17:16 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/quick-bash-script-to-install-a-chosen-version-of-node-js-on-debian-rasbian-etc/95117 "2025-02-04T17:16:43Z")

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Updated the script to add error checking. Thanks @jbudd! :slight\_smile: Hi all, From time-to-time, we get people getting confused or stuck when trying to manage node.js versions on Debian based OS's (includes Debian, …

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## [UIBUILDER: Using MermaidJS](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/uibuilder-using-mermaidjs/93969)

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**Author:** [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Replies:** 12\
**Last updated:** [20 December 2024 01:04 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/uibuilder-using-mermaidjs/93969 "2024-12-20T01:04:31Z")

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Hi all, little mini FAQ about using MermaidJS to generate browser-based charts with data from Node-RED and with the support of UIBUILDER. You will see some chat here: StateTrail-Node for Dashboard 2.0 - about using Merm…

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## [UIBUILDER: Why is socket.io/websockets not working?](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/uibuilder-why-is-socket-io-websockets-not-working/92995)

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**Author:** [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [8 November 2024 17:06 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/uibuilder-why-is-socket-io-websockets-not-working/92995 "2024-11-08T17:06:50Z")

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The most common reason that you are not getting any communications between Node-RED and a UIBUILDER served webpage is that you haven't loaded the uibuilder client script library. Other occasional issues are because you …

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## [Securing Node.js applications from supply-chain and other common security issues](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/securing-node-js-applications-from-supply-chain-and-other-common-security-issues/90871)

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**Author:** [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [10 September 2024 23:12 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/securing-node-js-applications-from-supply-chain-and-other-common-security-issues/90871 "2024-09-10T23:12:23Z")

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Node-RED is built on Node.js which has a number of potential security weaknesses if they are not mitigated properly. This article from the well-respected Auth0 team (now part of the Okta Identity and access management gr…

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## [Capability comparison between UIBUILDER and Dashboard 2](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/capability-comparison-between-uibuilder-and-dashboard-2/88847)

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**Author:** [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Replies:** 5\
**Last updated:** [4 July 2024 10:47 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/capability-comparison-between-uibuilder-and-dashboard-2/88847 "2024-07-04T10:47:45Z")

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With UIBUILDER v7 just around the corner and with so much excellent development going on with Dashboard 2, I thought it was high-time I did a comparison of some key capabilities that people might want from data-driven UI…

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## [What is UIBUILDER and what is it for?](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/what-is-uibuilder-and-what-is-it-for/90511)

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**Author:** [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [28 August 2024 17:14 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/what-is-uibuilder-and-what-is-it-for/90511 "2024-08-28T17:14:38Z")

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UIBUILDER's main purpose is to be a foundation on which you can build any web app or user interface and enhance that with data from Node-RED. It provides 2-way data communications between Node-RED and browser clients.…

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## [UIBUILDER design patterns](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/uibuilder-design-patterns/88817)

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**Author:** [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [20 June 2024 16:36 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/uibuilder-design-patterns/88817 "2024-06-20T16:36:29Z")

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This is the first draft of a new page for the UIBUILDER v7 documentation called "Common Design Patterns". Please let me know of any typo's or improvements - or indeed other design patterns you may find interesting. Peop…

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## [When would I want to use UIBUILDER? And when would I not?](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/when-would-i-want-to-use-uibuilder-and-when-would-i-not/88699)

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**Author:** [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Replies:** 4\
**Last updated:** [14 June 2024 20:09 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/when-would-i-want-to-use-uibuilder-and-when-would-i-not/88699 "2024-06-14T20:09:49Z")

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Hi all, this is an update of a post done last September. As I'm preparing for the UIBUILDER v7 release, I'm trying to update and refresh some of the documentation. This content is included in that documentation. Potent…

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## [Can I use the Worldmap nodes with UIBUILDER? (Yes)](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/can-i-use-the-worldmap-nodes-with-uibuilder-yes/87890)

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**Author:** [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [12 May 2024 10:34 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/can-i-use-the-worldmap-nodes-with-uibuilder-yes/87890 "2024-05-12T10:34:08Z")

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Question: Is it possible to use the node-red-contrib-web-worldmap nodes with UIBUILDER? Short answer: Yes, absolutely. If you are using a default Node-RED/UIBUILDER configuration, all you need to do is add the followi…

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## [How to 'whitelist' IP address's that can access Node RED](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-whitelist-ip-addresss-that-can-access-node-red/83990)

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**Author:** [@marcus-j-davies](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/marcus-j-davies)\
**Replies:** 28\
**Last updated:** [12 January 2024 14:18 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-whitelist-ip-addresss-that-can-access-node-red/83990 "2024-01-12T14:18:20Z")

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Node RED is a powerfull tool, and one that fits perfectly in the ever increasing connected world. But when doing so, security should be the first priority, sadly a lot of users do not adhere to this. With this in mind,…

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## [Formatting numbers the Right Way](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/formatting-numbers-the-right-way/83928)

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**Author:** [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [21 December 2023 15:31 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/formatting-numbers-the-right-way/83928 "2023-12-21T15:31:56Z")

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Node.JS and modern browsers all support the INTL library natively. That library has lots of features for formatting things to a locale specific format including dates and numbers. So here is a cheeky little JavaScript f…

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## [How To Configure SSO with Azure AD](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-configure-sso-with-azure-ad/83667)

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**Author:** [@Skaedian](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Skaedian)\
**Replies:** 3\
**Last updated:** [13 December 2023 11:54 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-configure-sso-with-azure-ad/83667 "2023-12-13T11:54:17Z")

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Hi there Recently we have been struggling to get SSO with Azure to work on our Node-RED applications. We have a specific Active Directory group called "ADGroup\_NodeRed" and we only wanted users in that group to be able…

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## [UIBUILDER: Updating UI content and attributes dynamically from Node-RED](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/uibuilder-updating-ui-content-and-attributes-dynamically-from-node-red/83559)

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**Author:** [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [9 December 2023 16:33 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/uibuilder-updating-ui-content-and-attributes-dynamically-from-node-red/83559 "2023-12-09T16:33:54Z")

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Hi to anyone interested in UIBUILDER for Node-RED. Here is a quick FAQ explaining the different ways to include and dynamically change data in your UI from Node-RED. There is something for everyone here whether you can …

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## [UIBUILDER example: Create a selection drop-down using low-code configuration](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/uibuilder-example-create-a-selection-drop-down-using-low-code-configuration/82994)

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**Author:** [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [18 November 2023 17:32 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/uibuilder-example-create-a-selection-drop-down-using-low-code-configuration/82994 "2023-11-18T17:32:50Z")

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So that I don't forget to post this somewhere vaguely useful, here is some front-end code as an example of using UIBUILDER's low-code capabilities in your front-end (browser) code to create an on-screen element dynamical…

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## [Updating web page text using UIBUILDER](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/updating-web-page-text-using-uibuilder/82786)

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**Author:** [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [11 November 2023 14:10 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/updating-web-page-text-using-uibuilder/82786 "2023-11-11T14:10:58Z")

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Here is an example flow (it loads a new flow tab) that explains some of the different ways that you can use Node-RED and UIBUILDER to update text on a web page managed by UIBUILDER. Basically 3 different methods depe…

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## [Should I install and/or run Node-RED with an admin account? (SUDO)](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/should-i-install-and-or-run-node-red-with-an-admin-account-sudo/82402)

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**Author:** [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [27 October 2023 16:13 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/should-i-install-and-or-run-node-red-with-an-admin-account-sudo/82402 "2023-10-27T16:13:56Z")

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You MAY install Node-RED using elevated privileges (e.g. using sudo on a Linux system) - this is generally required if installing as a "global" node-red install -g ..... Which many people do. You should NOT run Node-RED…

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## [Add date to 'save to file' node](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/add-date-to-save-to-file-node/993)

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**Author:** [@ardv](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/ardv)\
**Replies:** 12\
**Last updated:** [31 August 2023 11:45 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/add-date-to-save-to-file-node/993 "2023-08-31T11:45:01Z")

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Hello, i want that the ‘save to file’ node uses the current date in the filename, so i added function in which i add ‘date’ property to the msg, and then in the save node i wrote: “{{msg.date}}.csv”, but the node is not…

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## [Safely accessing Node-RED over the Internet](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/safely-accessing-node-red-over-the-internet/45024)

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**Author:** [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Replies:** 20\
**Last updated:** [18 May 2023 20:35 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/safely-accessing-node-red-over-the-internet/45024 "2023-05-18T20:35:13Z")

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Update 2025-02-19 The best advice for most people doing home automation is still: Don't expose Node-RED to the outside world! Where you really have to have some outside access, keep it as hands-off and restricted as p…

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## [\[uibuilder\] How to show a notification "toast" to clients from Node-RED - no code required](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/uibuilder-how-to-show-a-notification-toast-to-clients-from-node-red-no-code-required/74685)

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**Author:** [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [3 February 2023 23:51 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/uibuilder-how-to-show-a-notification-toast-to-clients-from-node-red-no-code-required/74685 "2023-02-03T23:51:14Z")

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A common requirement when using web UI's is to be able to notify clients of something. uibuilder can do this from simple input data. You simply need to send the following msg data to a uibuilder node. { "\_uib": { …

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## [Simple HTML Forms with uibuilder](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/simple-html-forms-with-uibuilder/74356)

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**Author:** [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Replies:** 5\
**Last updated:** [29 January 2023 23:16 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/simple-html-forms-with-uibuilder/74356 "2023-01-29T23:16:04Z")

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A very common requirement for a Node-RED based system is a need to get some user input. Most people turn to Dashboard for this. However, if you need multiple different inputs, you have to build them all into the same "ap…

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## [Running Node-RED under Windows 10+](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/running-node-red-under-windows-10/69897)

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**Author:** [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Replies:** 4\
**Last updated:** [7 December 2022 21:01 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/running-node-red-under-windows-10/69897 "2022-12-07T21:01:25Z")

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Please use this thread to provide and update tools and methods for running Node-RED on Windows (10+ and Windows Server). NOTE: This FAQ should be read as an extension/update to the official documentation on running Nod…

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## [Note to new Forum members](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/note-to-new-forum-members/71295)

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**Author:** [@drmibell](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/drmibell)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [26 November 2022 18:42 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/note-to-new-forum-members/71295 "2022-11-26T18:42:06Z")

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How to get the most help from the Forum Many new users come here for help with an issue they are having with Node-RED. I hope no one will be offended if I offer some unsolicited advice that might help them get the help …

[Next page](https://discourse.nodered.org/c/faqs/12.md?page=1)