# Importing nodes - existing nodes/subflows - question
**URL:** https://discourse.nodered.org/t/importing-nodes-existing-nodes-subflows-question/54384
**Category:** General
**Created:** [28 November 2021 01:32 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/importing-nodes-existing-nodes-subflows-question/54384 "2021-11-28T01:32:55Z")
**Posts on this page:** 10
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)
#### Post date: [28 November 2021 01:32 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/importing-nodes-existing-nodes-subflows-question/54384/1 "2021-11-28T01:32:55Z")
## Please read it all before replying.
OK, I have kind of asked before but I am still not understanding it.
(Though it does seem a bit better than before)
Saying NR 1.3.5
I have subflows.
I import a flow (code) from another machine and an existing subflow is included.
I get a _warning_ (_notification?_) about the conflict and I pick `view nodes` then unselect the existing subflow.
When imported, the node is not loaded.
So I have to then drag the existing subflow node and wire it up.
Now, before you say: _That's an old version of NR!_
I tried it on 2.0.5 and it simply imported it all. No requesters at all.
So I'm confused - and I know it is not an easy thing to do - but if I import code/nodes with existing subflow nodes (in this case)..... what is the process needing to be done so I don't get duplicate subflow nodes?
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### Author:  [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)
#### Post date: [28 November 2021 07:19 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/importing-nodes-existing-nodes-subflows-question/54384/2 "2021-11-28T07:19:48Z")
Does it work on the latest node red?
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### Author:  [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)
#### Post date: [28 November 2021 20:18 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/importing-nodes-existing-nodes-subflows-question/54384/3 "2021-11-28T20:18:07Z")
That depends on what you mean by `work`.
On NR `2.0.1` (the latest I have I think) it just imports the code.
Duplicate subflow included.
Just did it again and I have 2 iterations of the subflow listed.
is that what you call _Working_? Not to me.
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### Author:  [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)
#### Post date: [28 November 2021 20:40 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/importing-nodes-existing-nodes-subflows-question/54384/4 "2021-11-28T20:40:41Z")
I know what I am asking in the bigger picture is complicated.
Here is a few pictures to show the _problem_ as I see it.
On a machine running an older version of NR.
I am exporting this _code_.
This is the other machine running NR 2.0.1. Note I have a `subflow` called `time stamp`.
(to be sure to be sure)
Import and paste.
Now I have 2 iterations of the subflow.
Ok, I know it is hard to do what I am talking about.
But when exporting I am asking what/which nodes to include.
Fair enough.
But when importing..... Nothing.
Now I get that this may be a version issue.
I think once when I imported I was prompted which nodes to include.
I don't know how easy it is but saying I deselect the nodes to include and which to not - to get around conflicts.
Then would it be expected that the node/s with the conflict are replaced with the existing one/s?
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### Author:  [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)
#### Post date: [28 November 2021 20:43 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/importing-nodes-existing-nodes-subflows-question/54384/5 "2021-11-28T20:43:24Z")
> [@Trying\_to\_learn](#):
>
> On NR `2.0.1` (the latest I have I think) i
The question is, does it work on the latest node-red?
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### Author:  [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)
#### Post date: [28 November 2021 20:45 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/importing-nodes-existing-nodes-subflows-question/54384/6 "2021-11-28T20:45:35Z")
Its a bit difficult for me to say if I don't have THE latest.
I am asking with what I have. If that which I am asking is only recently added, then I get that it won't work on earlier versions.
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### Author:  [@knolleary](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/knolleary)
#### Post date: [28 November 2021 20:51 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/importing-nodes-existing-nodes-subflows-question/54384/7 "2021-11-28T20:51:09Z")
> [@Trying\_to\_learn](#):
>
> don't know how easy it is but saying I deselect the nodes to include and which to not - to get around conflicts.
> Then would it be expected that the node/s with the conflict are replaced with the existing one/s?
If you deselect a node in the import-conflicts dialog, then it won't be imported.
If it is selected, there's another option as to whether it should replace or import a copy.
That ought to work exactly as described.
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### Author:  [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)
#### Post date: [28 November 2021 21:03 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/importing-nodes-existing-nodes-subflows-question/54384/8 "2021-11-28T21:03:28Z")
Thanks.
I have seen that request (but that is going from a new version to an old version of NR)
I get the requester and deselect the _node of conflict_ it imports the flow.
But there is a big hole in that which I then get imported.
I can't replicate this happening.
(Well, I can but it is even more confusing for me and I think I am getting off topic)
Shouldn't the _existing_ node on the machine which has a conflict with the nodes/code being imported be put in the place of the node from the imported code?
But as an example this is what I saw the time I did deselect the conflicting node.
Exporting:
This is what I get when I import:
Why isn't the existing `time stamp` subflow put in the flow when it is imported?
This is an example. I can't remember how I got it to ask me and all the fine details of what I did.
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### Author:  [@knolleary](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/knolleary)
#### Post date: [28 November 2021 21:23 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/importing-nodes-existing-nodes-subflows-question/54384/9 "2021-11-28T21:23:28Z")
I can't remember the precise behaviour of old versions of Node-RED.
We improved the import dialogue to better handle import conflicts in more recent releases.
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### Author:  [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)
#### Post date: [27 January 2022 21:24 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/importing-nodes-existing-nodes-subflows-question/54384/10 "2022-01-27T21:24:01Z")
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