# Fe: Node Shadow Copy

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/fe-node-shadow-copy/40437>\
**Category:** Feature Requests\
**Created:** [5 February 2021 12:39 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/fe-node-shadow-copy/40437 "2021-02-05T12:39:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mdimai666](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/mdimai666/32/8119_2.png) [@mdimai666](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/mdimai666)\
**Post date:** [5 February 2021 12:39 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/fe-node-shadow-copy/40437/1 "2021-02-05T12:39:08Z")

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Creating a function for creating a copy of nodes

For example as in the picture.  
Editable from one place but so that it can be used many times.

Not only for functions but also for others. The visualization becomes cleaner.  
Subflows are not suitable, since for each node with its own config, you will need to create subflows.

 ![nodered-shadow-copy](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/e/9/e97902347dbe07fc22c689813dfb37ddb69a7784.png)

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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:** [5 February 2021 12:45 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/fe-node-shadow-copy/40437/2 "2021-02-05T12:45:25Z")

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Subflows are the solution we have today and they work well for it. They give you a new node in the palette which makes it quick and easy add additional copies to your flows.

To introduce a whole new concept like this, we'd need to be very clear on why subflows aren't suitable.

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**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [5 February 2021 12:50 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/fe-node-shadow-copy/40437/3 "2021-02-05T12:50:45Z")

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> [@mdimai666](#):
>
> Editable from one place but so that it can be used many times.

This is **exactly** what subflows are for - why do you feel they are not suitable?

* * *

Alternatively, you could use something like a _subroutine type_ node (e.g. node-red-contrib-components)

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/4/1/418b7d9bae183b9ff213270b40ab2154b14bb399.png)

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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:** [6 April 2021 12:50 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/fe-node-shadow-copy/40437/4 "2021-04-06T12:50:58Z")

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