# Environment variables: Support "config node" type on groups and tabs

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/environment-variables-support-config-node-type-on-groups-and-tabs/91219>\
**Category:** Feature Requests\
**Created:** [24 September 2024 07:04 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/environment-variables-support-config-node-type-on-groups-and-tabs/91219 "2024-09-24T07:04:47Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![kuema](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/kuema/32/6542_2.png) [@kuema](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/kuema)\
**Post date:** [24 September 2024 07:04 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/environment-variables-support-config-node-type-on-groups-and-tabs/91219/1 "2024-09-24T07:04:47Z")

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Starting with Node-RED 4, _config nodes_ can be configured as subflow parameters in its environment list. This opened up a lot of new and interesting use cases for subflows.

I wonder if it is possible to extend this feature to editor groups/tabs as well.

You'd gain the ability to set a config node for a group of nodes in one place.  
This is useful if you wanted to change the config node without having to open/edit every single node.  
Or when moving it to another group/tab, it can automatically use the config node from the local environment over there, without changing the node's config.

In combination with Dashboard nodes, it can ease the configuration effort of single widgets a lot. You could simply group them in the editor and set the ui-group node in a single place.

As a generic feature, I'm certain this can be useful for other nodes as well.

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**Author:** ![GogoVega](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/gogovega/32/71313_2.png) [@GogoVega](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/GogoVega)\
**Post date:** [24 September 2024 08:14 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/environment-variables-support-config-node-type-on-groups-and-tabs/91219/2 "2024-09-24T08:14:11Z")

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For groups I think it's possible but for tabs... I don't think so because they don't have their own env. It was @Steve-Mcl who implemented it.

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**Author:** ![knolleary](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/knolleary/32/3_2.png) [@knolleary](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/knolleary)\
**Post date:** [24 September 2024 08:58 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/environment-variables-support-config-node-type-on-groups-and-tabs/91219/3 "2024-09-24T08:58:25Z")

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> [@GogoVega](#):
>
> I don't think so because they don't have their own env.

Yes they do.

> [@kuema](#):
>
> As a generic feature, I'm certain this can be useful for other nodes as well.

Yes, I can see this could be useful. Could I trouble you to raise an issue so it doesn't get forgotten about?

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**Author:** ![kuema](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/kuema/32/6542_2.png) [@kuema](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/kuema)\
**Post date:** [24 September 2024 10:33 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/environment-variables-support-config-node-type-on-groups-and-tabs/91219/4 "2024-09-24T10:33:07Z")

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Thank you, Nick!

I have created an issue for this feature request:

> <https://github.com/node-red/node-red/issues/4890>
>
> As discussed on the forum: https://discourse.nodered.org/t/environment-variables…-support-config-node-type-on-groups-and-tabs/91219
> 
> Starting with Node-RED 4, \*config nodes\* can be configured as subflow parameters in its environment list.
> 
> This feature could be extended to the environment variable lists of \*\*editor groups\*\* and \*\*tabs\*\*, and if possible even the global environment located in the settings dialog.
> 
> \#### Advantages
> 
> \* set a config node for a group of nodes in one place
> \* change the config node without having to open/edit every single node
> \* when moving nodes to another group/tab,, it can automatically use the config node from the local environment over there, without changing the node's config
> 
> \#### Example use case
> 
> In combination with Dashboard nodes, it can ease the configuration effort of single widgets a lot. You could simply group them in the editor and set the ui-group node in a single place.
> 
> As a generic feature, I'm certain this can be useful for other nodes with config nodes as well (mqtt broker, database config, ...).

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**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/1X/d073cd938eafa2e558d7c2cd59003b3ef4963033.png) [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [23 November 2024 10:33 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/environment-variables-support-config-node-type-on-groups-and-tabs/91219/5 "2024-11-23T10:33:23Z")

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