# Text-entry node for the flow editor?

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/text-entry-node-for-the-flow-editor/78159>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [3 May 2023 22:09 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/text-entry-node-for-the-flow-editor/78159 "2023-05-03T22:09:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![BigGuyWhoKills](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/bigguywhokills/32/56446_2.png) [@BigGuyWhoKills](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/BigGuyWhoKills)\
**Post date:** [3 May 2023 22:09 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/text-entry-node-for-the-flow-editor/78159/1 "2023-05-03T22:09:38Z")

</div>

Is there a node that allows text entry in the flow editor? Similar to an inject node, but where the text-entry box is always open.

I want to use this for setting flow variables. Ideally, it would also show the current value that a variable is assigned to (The node-red-show-value node already performs this duty).

I have searched Google and this forum, but not found anything like this. Thanks in advance for any help.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![paulkeates](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9de053/32.png) [@paulkeates](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/paulkeates)\
**Post date:** [4 May 2023 13:40 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/text-entry-node-for-the-flow-editor/78159/2 "2023-05-04T13:40:55Z")

</div>

Hi,

I assume this is mostly for debugging / validating flows?

I think it would be a bit difficult to do directly in the 'flow editor' itself, but easy to do using the 'node-red-dashboard'. Use Manage Palette, install the 'node-red-dashboard', make sure to add a new Dashboard page, add 'ui\_text\_input', add an 'OK' button, and then go visit the URL of the small page it creates - e.g. : "[http://localhost:1880/ui](http://localhost:1880/ui)". You will see a section for displaying / entering text and the button.

Bind the click event from the OK button to write to a variable. Then each time you click the button the contents of the variable are updated.

Cheers,

Paul

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![dceejay](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/dceejay/32/38_2.png) [@dceejay](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/dceejay)\
**Post date:** [4 May 2023 15:57 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/text-entry-node-for-the-flow-editor/78159/3 "2023-05-04T15:57:25Z")

</div>

If you leave the inject config window open you can edit the payload or whatever property - and then hit  
 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/0/b/0b8d3009a2416d1d27d84b7e6cbfca713ee10e76.png)  
without having to re-deploy.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![BigGuyWhoKills](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/bigguywhokills/32/56446_2.png) [@BigGuyWhoKills](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/BigGuyWhoKills)\
**Post date:** [10 May 2023 18:38 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/text-entry-node-for-the-flow-editor/78159/4 "2023-05-10T18:38:57Z")

</div>

Those are both decent options. Just not exactly what I was hoping for. Maybe I need to look into writing my own node.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/1X/d073cd938eafa2e558d7c2cd59003b3ef4963033.png) [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [9 July 2023 18:39 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/text-entry-node-for-the-flow-editor/78159/5 "2023-07-09T18:39:40Z")

</div>

This topic was automatically closed 60 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.