# LINK CALL - also stuck

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/link-call-also-stuck/81218>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [12 September 2023 05:22 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/link-call-also-stuck/81218 "2023-09-12T05:22:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 8\
**Page:** 1

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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:** [12 September 2023 05:22 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/link-call-also-stuck/81218/1 "2023-09-12T05:22:06Z")

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Linking back to this:

> [@\`link call\` node. Stuck](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/link-call-node-stuck/54763):
>
> I am not understanding how to use it. Alas looking in the import/examples there aren't any. Could someone show me how to use it? I'm missing something. All I can manage is link - in --\> link - call --\> link - out But I don't know what to do from there. Yes, I know this is one side of things. But the other side would be the normal flow which is calling this. Thanks in advance.

Seems I've forgotten something.

When I drag from the `link out` to the `link call` (in) I get/see the wire until I let go. Then there is no visible connection.  
(no dashed line if I select either node)

What am I doing wrong?

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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:** [12 September 2023 05:44 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/link-call-also-stuck/81218/2 "2023-09-12T05:44:11Z")

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> [@Trying\_to\_learn](#):
>
> What am I doing wrong?

Look again at the link you posted. The link call does not connect to a link out (or the link in).

Think about why it's called "link call" - it "calls" to a link.

**Flow 1**  
Inject/whatever -\>link call-\>debug/whatever  
**Flow 2**  
Link in -\> your nodes -\> link out/return

Example: [HowTo define and use global utillity function in V3.x and higher - #2 by Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/howto-define-and-use-global-utillity-function-in-v3-x-and-higher/81054/2)

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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:** [12 September 2023 05:47 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/link-call-also-stuck/81218/3 "2023-09-12T05:47:53Z")

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I am not sure we are on the same page sorry Steve.

I am stuck on how to _connect_ the `link out` and `link in` to the `link call` node.

I know I have to change the `in` and `out` node modes to `return to calling node`.  
But how do I actually get them _connected_? Short of naming both IN and OUT nodes and searching for them and doing it that way.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [12 September 2023 05:49 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/link-call-also-stuck/81218/4 "2023-09-12T05:49:46Z")

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Look at the example flow. You will see inside the link call node, you either select a target or you pass the target link in by message.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [12 September 2023 05:54 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/link-call-also-stuck/81218/5 "2023-09-12T05:54:36Z")

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~~So I have to name the `link out` and `link in` nodes and search for them and fill them in that way.~~  
Ok, only the `in` node.  
The out is set to `return to calling node`. _My bad_.

So I have to name (well, it will make my life a lot easier) the `link call` node.  
Open the `link in` node and search for the name of the `link call` node, and things should work.

## SORRY

Ok, I even got that back to front.

I name the `link in` node and then have to search for it's name in the `link call` node.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [12 September 2023 05:58 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/link-call-also-stuck/81218/6 "2023-09-12T05:58:55Z")

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Correct. Give the **link in** a sensible name and your **link call** inherits that.

Ps: the reason you cannot just drag a wire from the link call to a link in is because it is common and sensible to want to create a separate tab (let's call it **subroutines** ) and place all of your complex or reusable flows on the **subroutines** tab and use link call to call them.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [12 September 2023 06:02 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/link-call-also-stuck/81218/7 "2023-09-12T06:02:18Z")

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It wouldn't be asking too much to show the `link call` to `link in` as normal.  
Just there is nothing _connected_ to the `link out` node.

But I guess that could leave to a bit of confusion.  
It would be better to allow dragging the _wire_ **from** the `link in` (wire input) to the output of the `link out` node.

_(The hamster is not doing good in the wheel just now)_

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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:** [26 September 2023 06:02 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/link-call-also-stuck/81218/8 "2023-09-26T06:02:26Z")

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