# Node-Red 5.0.0 import on current flow (tab) broken
**URL:** https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-red-5-0-0-import-on-current-flow-tab-broken/101382
**Category:** General
**Created:** [29 June 2026 23:25 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-red-5-0-0-import-on-current-flow-tab-broken/101382 "2026-06-29T23:25:12Z")
**Posts on this page:** 13
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@HarryPottar](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/HarryPottar)
#### Post date: [29 June 2026 23:25 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-red-5-0-0-import-on-current-flow-tab-broken/101382/1 "2026-06-29T23:25:12Z")
Not a huge issue and an acceptable workaround.
When importing a flow, selecting Import on the Current Flow tab always creates a new tab.
A simple copy-and-paste fixes it, but it's worth noting. Tested on macOS Tahoe 26.5.1 and Chrome Version 149.0.7827.197
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### Author:  [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)
#### Post date: [30 June 2026 00:47 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-red-5-0-0-import-on-current-flow-tab-broken/101382/2 "2026-06-30T00:47:05Z")
From where are you importing the tab?
Same machine? 🤷♂️
How are you exporting the code?
`export` with nodes selected or do you select `tab` after selecting `export`?
Also, if you exported a `tab` and `import to current tab`: it may be problematic.
(Had to think how to put that a few times as all I could ge twas local talk and that wouldn't translate too well.)
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### Author:  [@HarryPottar](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/HarryPottar)
#### Post date: [30 June 2026 02:44 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-red-5-0-0-import-on-current-flow-tab-broken/101382/3 "2026-06-30T02:44:17Z")
I'm running version 4.1.7, going into the menu, and exporting the flow.
I have tested both exporting to file and copying JSON to the clipboard.
I'm exporting selected nodes, not entire tab.
Then, in 5.0.0, I go to the menu and select Import, then I select where to import to: current flow, yet it always create a new flow (tab)
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### Author:  [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)
#### Post date: [30 June 2026 04:28 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-red-5-0-0-import-on-current-flow-tab-broken/101382/4 "2026-06-30T04:28:16Z")
Ok.
Sorry, beyond my skill set.
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### Author:  [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)
#### Post date: [30 June 2026 06:07 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-red-5-0-0-import-on-current-flow-tab-broken/101382/5 "2026-06-30T06:07:43Z")
> [@HarryPottar](#):
>
> I'm exporting selected nodes, not entire tab.
Could you post a small example flow that will not import into current tab please.
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### Author:  [@dynamicdave](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/dynamicdave)
#### Post date: [30 June 2026 06:54 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-red-5-0-0-import-on-current-flow-tab-broken/101382/6 "2026-06-30T06:54:03Z")
I've also seen this effect from time-to-time.
Just tried Export/Import flows on NR version 3.1.11 and 4.1.11 and **can't** reproduce the effect.
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### Author:  [@Sean-McG](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Sean-McG)
#### Post date: [30 June 2026 23:22 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-red-5-0-0-import-on-current-flow-tab-broken/101382/7 "2026-06-30T23:22:47Z")
I think it depends how you exported. If you export "some" nodes then you can import to current flow, but if you export the complete flow (tab) it creates that same tab when you import.
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### Author:  [@RvG](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/RvG)
#### Post date: [1 July 2026 14:28 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-red-5-0-0-import-on-current-flow-tab-broken/101382/8 "2026-07-01T14:28:24Z")
I've also seen this very often in previous releases.
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### Author:  [@gregorius](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/gregorius)
#### Post date: [1 July 2026 16:42 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-red-5-0-0-import-on-current-flow-tab-broken/101382/9 "2026-07-01T16:42:47Z")
> [@Sean-McG](#):
>
> complete flow (tab) it creates that same tab when you import
Exactly and that it also does in NR4.
If you export using current flow:
When you import, you will always get a new flow tab.
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### Author:  [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)
#### Post date: [1 July 2026 18:27 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-red-5-0-0-import-on-current-flow-tab-broken/101382/10 "2026-07-01T18:27:36Z")
@HarryPottar said earlier that he was just exporting selected nodes.
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### Author:  [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)
#### Post date: [2 July 2026 05:59 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-red-5-0-0-import-on-current-flow-tab-broken/101382/11 "2026-07-02T05:59:24Z")
No offence meant to anyone.
@HarryPottar
When you are exporting, just as you are about to `copy to clipboard`
could you take a screen shot and post it?
P.S.
Only export 2 nodes. an `inject` and `debug` connected together.
Please.
Just to be sure.
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### Author:  [@HarryPottar](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/HarryPottar)
#### Post date: [21 July 2026 13:20 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-red-5-0-0-import-on-current-flow-tab-broken/101382/12 "2026-07-21T13:20:55Z")
I have not seen this since 5.0.1.
I will post again, if I see it, but looks like its working as expected
Thank you for everyone input
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### Author:  [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)
#### Post date: [4 August 2026 13:21 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-red-5-0-0-import-on-current-flow-tab-broken/101382/13 "2026-08-04T13:21:25Z")
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