# Feature req: Mouse wheel to scroll through flows tab

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/feature-req-mouse-wheel-to-scroll-through-flows-tab/45179>\
**Category:** Feature Requests\
**Created:** [4 May 2021 19:06 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/feature-req-mouse-wheel-to-scroll-through-flows-tab/45179 "2021-05-04T19:06:58Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![hazymat](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/hazymat/32/108159_2.png) [@hazymat](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/hazymat)\
**Post date:** [4 May 2021 19:06 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/feature-req-mouse-wheel-to-scroll-through-flows-tab/45179/1 "2021-05-04T19:06:59Z")

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Rather than having to move mouse to far left and far right and mash repeatedly on the mouse button to scroll through the flows tab, I think it would be intuitive to allow mouse wheel scrolling through them. (Scroll down moves to the right side and scroll up moves left.)

Edit to add: using a laptop touchpad, I can use a two-finger gesture left and right which pans the view across to achieve this, but when working with a mouse it's not possible.

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**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [5 May 2021 02:31 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/feature-req-mouse-wheel-to-scroll-through-flows-tab/45179/2 "2021-05-05T02:31:05Z")

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That will conflict though with scrolling the window.

Maybe with a qualifier key.

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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 May 2021 06:36 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/feature-req-mouse-wheel-to-scroll-through-flows-tab/45179/3 "2021-05-05T06:36:36Z")

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I think if the mouse is hovering over the tab bar itself, it would not be unreasonable to scroll the tabs rather than the window. That would be more consistent with other apps that have long tab bars.

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**Author:** ![hazymat](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/hazymat/32/108159_2.png) [@hazymat](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/hazymat)\
**Post date:** [5 May 2021 07:18 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/feature-req-mouse-wheel-to-scroll-through-flows-tab/45179/4 "2021-05-05T07:18:19Z")

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In my case (Win/Chrome) and I suspect universally, using the mouse wheel when mouse is over the flows bar does not scroll the main window. It just does nothing. Hence seems like a useful addition.

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**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [5 May 2021 07:55 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/feature-req-mouse-wheel-to-scroll-through-flows-tab/45179/5 "2021-05-05T07:55:47Z")

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There is also the question of exactly what the scroll wheel should do when hovered over the tabs. In Chrome on Ubuntu with it hovered over the browser tabs it scrolls the focus along, but with Waterfox browser it scrolls the tabs but does not change the focus (which is much quicker of course).

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**Author:** ![hazymat](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/hazymat/32/108159_2.png) [@hazymat](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/hazymat)\
**Post date:** [5 May 2021 08:20 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/feature-req-mouse-wheel-to-scroll-through-flows-tab/45179/6 "2021-05-05T08:20:15Z")

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I was thinking that it would scroll the tabs without changing focus. This way it replicates the function of the existing navigation buttons each end of the tab bar. Also as you say it's quicker to scroll to the tab then click it, and invariably you never usually need to visit tabs in sequential order, but instead you need random access...

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**Author:** ![cymplecy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/cymplecy/32/2773_2.png) [@cymplecy](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/cymplecy)\
**Post date:** [5 May 2021 08:35 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/feature-req-mouse-wheel-to-scroll-through-flows-tab/45179/7 "2021-05-05T08:35:22Z")

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> [@hazymat](#):
>
> I was thinking that it would scroll the tabs without changing focus

I think that would be the most wanted action as it would be trivial to click on a wanted tab

I just tested to see what happens in my Notepad++ editor and it just scrolls the tab without changing focus.

If I was programming this facility into a browser ,that shows all the tabs at the same time, then I'd program it to change focus but not for things like NR when all the tabs aren't visible

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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 May 2021 08:40 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/feature-req-mouse-wheel-to-scroll-through-flows-tab/45179/8 "2021-05-05T08:40:58Z")

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> [@hazymat](#):
>
> I was thinking that it would scroll the tabs without changing focus

Do you know about CTRL+SHIFT+F ...

![swxpkcxJ77](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/b/5/b592fcc651ed6d6fa2862ee852b269fe84a2260b.gif)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [5 May 2021 08:41 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/feature-req-mouse-wheel-to-scroll-through-flows-tab/45179/9 "2021-05-05T08:41:04Z")

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> [@cymplecy](#):
>
> If I was programming this facility into a browser ,that shows all the tabs at the same time

Ah, Chrome shows all the browser tabs at once, I had not realised that, but Waterfox doesn't, it allows tabs to disappear off the edges like node-red does.

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**Author:** ![cymplecy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/cymplecy/32/2773_2.png) [@cymplecy](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/cymplecy)\
**Post date:** [5 May 2021 08:43 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/feature-req-mouse-wheel-to-scroll-through-flows-tab/45179/10 "2021-05-05T08:43:10Z")

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Who's got the time to find the ctrl, the shift and the f key? - never mind pressing them all at the same time. 🙂

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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 May 2021 08:49 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/feature-req-mouse-wheel-to-scroll-through-flows-tab/45179/11 "2021-05-05T08:49:43Z")

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> [@cymplecy](#):
>
> Who's got the time to find the ctrl, the shift and the f key

It is quicker 🙂 - so meeeee.

If you prefer to "break mode" (lose focus on what you are doing) then you can click the list flows button instead  
 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/6/f/6f3e2c08012d804273c7151eda915735bded3a6a.png)

I (like many programmers) tend to stay on the keyboard/avoid the mouse as much as possible (it is more economical to learn shortcuts than break focus (mode) finding the mouse & moving it).

The shortcut muscle memory doesn't take long to develop but you have to make a little effort up front.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cymplecy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/cymplecy/32/2773_2.png) [@cymplecy](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/cymplecy)\
**Post date:** [5 May 2021 08:51 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/feature-req-mouse-wheel-to-scroll-through-flows-tab/45179/12 "2021-05-05T08:51:51Z")

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I'm a drag and drop block programmer (Node-Red, Scratch, Snap! etc) so I'm glued to the mouse and only use the keyboard when I have to - mainly to reply on forums 🙂

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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 May 2021 08:54 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/feature-req-mouse-wheel-to-scroll-through-flows-tab/45179/13 "2021-05-05T08:54:11Z")

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> [@cymplecy](#):
>
> I'm glued to the mouse and only use the keyboard when I have to

like polar opposites 😃

slooooow mouse movers drive me round the bend haha 🤣

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cymplecy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/cymplecy/32/2773_2.png) [@cymplecy](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/cymplecy)\
**Post date:** [5 May 2021 08:55 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/feature-req-mouse-wheel-to-scroll-through-flows-tab/45179/14 "2021-05-05T08:55:28Z")

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Yes 🙂  
And if I need to do any custom coding in Node-RED - I use @BartButenaers Blocky node 🙂

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**Author:** ![hazymat](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/hazymat/32/108159_2.png) [@hazymat](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/hazymat)\
**Post date:** [5 May 2021 09:58 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/feature-req-mouse-wheel-to-scroll-through-flows-tab/45179/15 "2021-05-05T09:58:30Z")

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I'm half-way, I rely heavily on keyboard shortcuts but have limited brainspace to learn every shortcut for every application I use (Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, Fusion 360, Gmail, Outlook 365)...

I have the commitment to learn shortcuts for things I do VERY often:

- Ctrl-D = Deploy
- Ctrl-Alt-L = Clear debug

plus all the other generic shortcuts that work with most apps like Ctrl-F for find. But that's about it!

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**Author:** ![notenoughtech](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/notenoughtech/32/40995_2.png) [@notenoughtech](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/notenoughtech)\
**Post date:** [7 May 2021 07:46 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/feature-req-mouse-wheel-to-scroll-through-flows-tab/45179/16 "2021-05-07T07:46:37Z")

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Ctrl D is delete in windows, I stay clear of this one, I have a 4k display and I work with multiple spaces at the same time. losing focus of NodeRED with Crtl D can give you heart attack 😃

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**Author:** ![TotallyInformation](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/totallyinformation/32/31_2.png) [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Post date:** [7 May 2021 18:42 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/feature-req-mouse-wheel-to-scroll-through-flows-tab/45179/17 "2021-05-07T18:42:49Z")

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I'm left-handed but have my mouse under my right hand. So I can use both the keyboard and mouse in perfect harmony 🧙

Maybe all that guitar playing in my younger days came in handy after all! 😀

I would also love to see the tab bar as scrollable and agree that it doesn't need to change focus.

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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:** [7 May 2021 18:52 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/feature-req-mouse-wheel-to-scroll-through-flows-tab/45179/18 "2021-05-07T18:52:57Z")

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I'm happy to look at this, but if anyone wanted to dip their toe into the water, it'll be a question of adding a handler for the `wheel` event somewhere around here:

> <https://github.com/node-red/node-red/blob/db0ff748576212d32ab46b47b560126ffa57f4e2/packages/node_modules/@node-red/editor-client/src/js/ui/common/tabs.js#L100>

> **[Element: wheel event - Web APIs | MDN](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/Element/wheel_event)**
>
> The wheel event fires when the user rotates a wheel button on a pointing device (typically a mouse).

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![hazymat](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/hazymat/32/108159_2.png) [@hazymat](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/hazymat)\
**Post date:** [7 May 2021 19:18 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/feature-req-mouse-wheel-to-scroll-through-flows-tab/45179/19 "2021-05-07T19:18:04Z")

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Thanks.

A fussy request if anyone can do this: can it be some kind of smooth scroll?

I don’t mean “inertia” scrolling with acceleration, just a pixel-level scroll instead of shifting the tabs left or right by a whole tab’s width.

Hope that makes sense, and is possible?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cymplecy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/cymplecy/32/2773_2.png) [@cymplecy](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/cymplecy)\
**Post date:** [7 May 2021 20:03 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/feature-req-mouse-wheel-to-scroll-through-flows-tab/45179/20 "2021-05-07T20:03:38Z")

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> [@hazymat](#):
>
> can it be some kind of smooth scroll?

I'd like the complete opposite! 🙂

I'd want each detected movement of the scroll wheel to move a complete tab

I'm not interested in how it looks - like I say - I'm short of time 🙂

[Next page](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/feature-req-mouse-wheel-to-scroll-through-flows-tab/45179.md?page=2)