# How to change flows from a tablet touchscreen?
**URL:** https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-change-flows-from-a-tablet-touchscreen/83531
**Category:** General
**Created:** [8 December 2023 16:34 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-change-flows-from-a-tablet-touchscreen/83531 "2023-12-08T16:34:24Z")
**Posts on this page:** 16
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@bwims](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/bwims)
#### Post date: [8 December 2023 16:34 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-change-flows-from-a-tablet-touchscreen/83531/1 "2023-12-08T16:34:24Z")
Hi,
Can someone point me at the relevant documentation for changing flows from a tablet touchscreen?
I find it impossible to select a junction or draw a line to a junction from a node. There are a limited number of options if you press and hold, but nothing like a right-click on a mouse.
Google is absolutely useless for this problem - all I get is how to run node-red on Android and stuff on dashboards.
I'd be grateful for any pointers!
Thanks
B.
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### Author:  [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)
#### Post date: [8 December 2023 17:09 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-change-flows-from-a-tablet-touchscreen/83531/2 "2023-12-08T17:09:20Z")
> [@bwims](#):
>
> I'd be grateful for any pointers!
No pun intended eh 😉
Can you attach a mouse (USB or Bluetooth) to get you over this hump?
Are you using latest Node-RED?
* * *
It may not act the same but in mobile view on a computer, click and hold (i.e. long finger press) seems to work fine?
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### Author:  [@bwims](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/bwims)
#### Post date: [10 December 2023 15:37 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-change-flows-from-a-tablet-touchscreen/83531/3 "2023-12-10T15:37:21Z")
Hi,
Thanks for responding. I guess your fingers must have a narrower diameter to mine, because try as I might, I could not highlight a junction, nor drag a line to it! I think keeping a bluetooth trackpad nearby at all times is the answer...
All the best,
B.
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### Author:  [@jbudd](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/jbudd)
#### Post date: [10 December 2023 17:29 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-change-flows-from-a-tablet-touchscreen/83531/4 "2023-12-10T17:29:38Z")
I don't have a tablet, but on my android phone I managed to insert a junction by means of a long press in a space and selecting "add" from the popup. This far it's easy.
I did manage to create a wire by first selecting it so the dots either side showed up and then repeatedly touching and dragging. I would say this part is unusable.
It can hardly be described overall as a practical user interface, but then Node-red is basically impossible on a phone based browser anyway, as the above screen capture illustrates. (You try and hide the left and right columns on a phone!)
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### Author:  [@bwims](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/bwims)
#### Post date: [12 December 2023 18:04 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-change-flows-from-a-tablet-touchscreen/83531/5 "2023-12-12T18:04:16Z")
Hi,
thanks for that, yes, the long press is about as good as a right click. However, as you say, wiring a junction is just about impossible without a pointy stylus or a bluetooth mouse. Shame!
B.
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### Author:  [@E1cid](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/E1cid)
#### Post date: [13 December 2023 07:24 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-change-flows-from-a-tablet-touchscreen/83531/6 "2023-12-13T07:24:43Z")
I can connect wires on my six inch phone screen. I zoom screen with two fingers and then use finger with long press and drag.
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### Author:  [@bwims](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/bwims)
#### Post date: [13 December 2023 11:57 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-change-flows-from-a-tablet-touchscreen/83531/7 "2023-12-13T11:57:05Z")
But can you connect from or to a junction? Are you using a browser to connect to node red? If so, which one?
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### Author:  [@E1cid](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/E1cid)
#### Post date: [13 December 2023 15:16 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-change-flows-from-a-tablet-touchscreen/83531/8 "2023-12-13T15:16:01Z")
I can not select a junction, i don't use them anyway.
As a workaround you could use change nodes with no rules added, and in appearance deselect label checkbox.
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### Author:  [@jbudd](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/jbudd)
#### Post date: [13 December 2023 15:33 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-change-flows-from-a-tablet-touchscreen/83531/9 "2023-12-13T15:33:31Z")
See feature request [https://discourse.nodered.org/t/hide-sidebars-option-on-hamburger-menu/83678/4](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/hide-sidebars-option-on-hamburger-menu/83678/4)
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### Author:  [@bwims](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/bwims)
#### Post date: [14 December 2023 11:57 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-change-flows-from-a-tablet-touchscreen/83531/10 "2023-12-14T11:57:10Z")
I am confused. In this post you say:
"I can not select a junction, i don't use them anyway."
But in your other post
> [@"Hide sidebars" option on hamburger menu](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/hide-sidebars-option-on-hamburger-menu/83678/7):
>
> The mouse pad is transparent and is easy to turn off. I can also use magnifier and move magnifier with mouse pad. If anybody wants to edit on a small screen (crazy idea) then add a mouse and usb dongle. Becomes very easy at that point, apart fro the screen size. I edit on a Android box using 55inch screen with mouse and keyboard. I have no issues, can even use junction nodes if i choose to..
You say "I have no issues, can even use junction nodes if i choose to"
Which is it?
I'm not sure why you are being such an advocate for the status quo with respect to Android limitations...are you a developer for the Node Red team? If not, why not let those who are dissatisfied pursue a solution without interference?
From my perspective, I sometimes find myself with a need to make modifications to a flow with my Home Assistant setup with only an Android tablet to hand. The status quo means I **always** need a bluetooth mouse handy, or spend an immense amount of time learning careful manual screen techniques.
This is extremely limiting.
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### Author:  [@E1cid](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/E1cid)
#### Post date: [14 December 2023 12:12 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-change-flows-from-a-tablet-touchscreen/83531/11 "2023-12-14T12:12:39Z")
> [@bwims](#):
>
> You say "I have no issues, can even use junction nodes if i choose to"
>
> Which is it?
Both
On this post i am referring to a touch tablet, in other an android with keyboard and mouse
> [@bwims](#):
>
> I'm not sure why you are being such an advocate for the status quo
I am not, the junction node issue should be fixed. On the other post I see no issue, I am just pointing out I have no issues on chrome with android.
> [@bwims](#):
>
> The status quo means I **always** need a bluetooth mouse handy
No just do not use junction(until fixed), use a change node, you can replace the node later when on a better machine or junction issue is fixed.
Using a tablet or phone will always be limiting.
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### Author:  [@bwims](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/bwims)
#### Post date: [14 December 2023 14:05 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-change-flows-from-a-tablet-touchscreen/83531/12 "2023-12-14T14:05:08Z")
Using a tablet is the whole purpose of my post. I am aware that if I lug around a keyboard and mouse with my tablet it all works. So what?
My first line was:
"Can someone point me at the relevant documentation for changing flows from a **tablet touchscreen**?"
I have no issues with NR on Android except the touchscreen limitations, ok?
So you seem to be contributing under a misunderstanding.
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### Author:  [@E1cid](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/E1cid)
#### Post date: [14 December 2023 14:21 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-change-flows-from-a-tablet-touchscreen/83531/13 "2023-12-14T14:21:54Z")
And your second line is about junction. So i contributed an idea/workaround. I understand you have issues using touch screen and junctions, sorry my contributions seem to offend you, I will leave you to your issue.
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### Author:  [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)
#### Post date: [14 December 2023 14:24 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-change-flows-from-a-tablet-touchscreen/83531/14 "2023-12-14T14:24:28Z")
Please lets be nice to each other in the forum thanks.
As mentioned in the other thread, the issue here isn't about desire, it is about resources to make changes. I'm sure we would all like to see improvements to the Editor in terms of touch and if someone has both the skills and the time to have a go, this is generally much appreciated by all.
Unfortunately, tablet and phone use of the Editor has always been a lower priority since it is a minority use case - though that may be a bit of a chicken and egg problem?
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### Author:  [@bwims](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/bwims)
#### Post date: [14 December 2023 15:19 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-change-flows-from-a-tablet-touchscreen/83531/15 "2023-12-14T15:19:28Z")
I agree, I'm not trying to offend anyone, just a little frustrated about the misunderstanding. If it came off as offensive, I apologise.
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### Author:  [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)
#### Post date: [12 February 2024 15:20 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-change-flows-from-a-tablet-touchscreen/83531/16 "2024-02-12T15:20:09Z")
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