# Disable I/O \`x\` buttons in subflow instance Appearance tab if no labels to delete

**URL:** https://discourse.nodered.org/t/disable-i-o-x-buttons-in-subflow-instance-appearance-tab-if-no-labels-to-delete/97926
**Category:** Feature Requests
**Created:** [2 July 2025 20:45 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/disable-i-o-x-buttons-in-subflow-instance-appearance-tab-if-no-labels-to-delete/97926 "2025-07-02T20:45:55Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![gdvine](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/gdvine/32/101799_2.png) [@gdvine](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/gdvine)
#### Post date: [2 July 2025 20:45 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/disable-i-o-x-buttons-in-subflow-instance-appearance-tab-if-no-labels-to-delete/97926/1 "2025-07-02T20:45:55Z")

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It's misleading UX to have UI buttons which seem active, but do nothing when clicked.

FR: Disable & grey out buttons until a label has been saved (via Done button) in a given I/O

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<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![mbonani](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/mbonani/32/10631_2.png) [@mbonani](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/mbonani)
#### Post date: [2 July 2025 20:58 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/disable-i-o-x-buttons-in-subflow-instance-appearance-tab-if-no-labels-to-delete/97926/2 "2025-07-02T20:58:17Z")

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For context

> <https://github.com/node-red/node-red/issues/5205>
>
> \### Current Behavior
> 
> Delete \`x\` buttons are displayed next to inputs and output…s in a subflow instance's Appearance tab.
> 
> \### Expected Behavior
> 
> Remove UI elements which perform no function like these buttons, as they create misleading UX.
> 
> \### Steps To Reproduce
> 
> 1. Create a subflow with at least 1 input and 1 output.
> 2. Create an instance of this subflow and go to its properties' Appearance tab.
> 3. Note that there are \`x\` buttons next to each. Try clicking – they don't work.
> 
> I presume there is a good reason under the hood why adding and deleting I/O is disabled in subflow instances. Even if that is a planned feature, the broken delete buttons must be removed from the UI until such time as it gets implemented.
> 
> \### Environment
> 
> \- Node-RED version: 4.0.8
> \- Node.js version: 20.12.2
> \- npm version: 10.9.0
> \- Platform/OS: Ubuntu
> \- Browser: Chrome macOS

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<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/1X/d073cd938eafa2e558d7c2cd59003b3ef4963033.png) [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)
#### Post date: [31 August 2025 20:58 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/disable-i-o-x-buttons-in-subflow-instance-appearance-tab-if-no-labels-to-delete/97926/3 "2025-08-31T20:58:24Z")

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