# Import of same flow - doesnt result in replace/copy message

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-of-same-flow-doesnt-result-in-replace-copy-message/78908>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [2 June 2023 21:23 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-of-same-flow-doesnt-result-in-replace-copy-message/78908 "2023-06-02T21:23:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 8\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![SandeepA](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/sandeepa/32/63225_2.png) [@SandeepA](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/SandeepA)\
**Post date:** [2 June 2023 21:23 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-of-same-flow-doesnt-result-in-replace-copy-message/78908/1 "2023-06-02T21:23:25Z")

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Hi ,

Not sure why i did not notice this before - when i import a flow (tab) to an env (NR instance) which has that flow already - i dont get any popups on replace/copy. Every time a new copy gets created.

(While for subflows etc. this works v well).

Can someone please assist if this is the expected behaviour ? Cos this makes multi env sync ups a much more difficult task than it is already.

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**Author:** ![SandeepA](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/sandeepa/32/63225_2.png) [@SandeepA](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/SandeepA)\
**Post date:** [3 June 2023 16:49 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-of-same-flow-doesnt-result-in-replace-copy-message/78908/2 "2023-06-03T16:49:16Z")

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Anyone ? I am ok if this is the behavior for flows. Just want to know if this is the current behavior ?

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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:** [4 June 2023 09:40 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-of-same-flow-doesnt-result-in-replace-copy-message/78908/3 "2023-06-04T09:40:26Z")

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I have tested it on noe red 3.0.2 and I do get the duplicate flows popup.  
To make sure I am doing exactly the same as you I

1. Menu -\> Export \> Current flow, and Copy to clipboard
2. Menu \> Import, Paste it in, Select New Flow and Import  
I get

![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/5/b/5bef33a64b359614001d728df7b8e15e12f33c41.png)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SandeepA](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/sandeepa/32/63225_2.png) [@SandeepA](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/SandeepA)\
**Post date:** [4 June 2023 17:27 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-of-same-flow-doesnt-result-in-replace-copy-message/78908/4 "2023-06-04T17:27:00Z")

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This is very interesting. I dont get this message for Flows. I tried it within the same instance.  
(I get this for subflows).  
I am v2.2.2 . Maybe i need to upgrade and check.

(I am following the same steps as you have outlined).

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**Author:** ![SandeepA](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/sandeepa/32/63225_2.png) [@SandeepA](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/SandeepA)\
**Post date:** [5 June 2023 15:28 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-of-same-flow-doesnt-result-in-replace-copy-message/78908/5 "2023-06-05T15:28:24Z")

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I see this message . But when i click - view nodes - it doesnt give any option to "replace" the flow.

If i click "View nodes" --\> Import - a new copy of flow is created. I would expect it to replace the existing flow.

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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 June 2023 16:10 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-of-same-flow-doesnt-result-in-replace-copy-message/78908/6 "2023-06-05T16:10:00Z")

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It doesn't provide an option to replace regular nodes/flows - only config nodes/subflows.

It would be nice to have an option to do what you want, but it isn't there today.

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**Author:** ![SandeepA](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/sandeepa/32/63225_2.png) [@SandeepA](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/SandeepA)\
**Post date:** [5 June 2023 16:37 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-of-same-flow-doesnt-result-in-replace-copy-message/78908/7 "2023-06-05T16:37:17Z")

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Thanks @knolleary . At this stage - this is what i wanted to understand- if it exists or not. Cos i was starting to wonder if my installation was corrupted.

Thanks.

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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:** [4 August 2023 16:37 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-of-same-flow-doesnt-result-in-replace-copy-message/78908/8 "2023-08-04T16:37:27Z")

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