# The \`Instruction\` (Help?) option on nodes and a slight \*annoyance\*

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/the-instruction-help-option-on-nodes-and-a-slight-annoyance/66749>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [22 August 2022 11:26 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/the-instruction-help-option-on-nodes-and-a-slight-annoyance/66749 "2022-08-22T11:26:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**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:** [22 August 2022 11:26 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/the-instruction-help-option-on-nodes-and-a-slight-annoyance/66749/1 "2022-08-22T11:26:03Z")

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If you are using new nodes and have their `Ctl g h` page open to see the options.

You then click on a `function` node (or other node to change the message) the _Help_ screen changes to that node.

I get it.... that is the selected node.

But it is a bit ..... annoying - to me - that I can't keep the _HELP_ page for the new node open while I am editing other nodes and I can see the _format_ of what I need to send the new node.

Is there a trick I am missing?

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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:** [22 August 2022 11:42 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/the-instruction-help-option-on-nodes-and-a-slight-annoyance/66749/2 "2022-08-22T11:42:51Z")

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There is no trick to be had... That is what it does. I agree it isn't always convenient and something we should look at improving.

But this is one of the reasons we introduced the help sidebar - it lets you access the help of any node at any time. In older days, it would _only_ let you access the help of the current selected node.

So at least you can switch it back to the help topic you want it to show.

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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:** [22 August 2022 11:46 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/the-instruction-help-option-on-nodes-and-a-slight-annoyance/66749/3 "2022-08-22T11:46:22Z")

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Thanks.

I guess it is just something I am going to have to work on.

As a suggestion to anyone (else) who is also seeing this _problem_.  
(Thinking on the run - as it were)

Open a text editor and paste the **help** in there. Lock it - the text editor - to be _always at the front_ and size it to not be full screen, and then open the other node as needed.

Just a thought.

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**Author:** ![Sean-McG](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/sean-mcg/32/54677_2.png) [@Sean-McG](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Sean-McG)\
**Post date:** [22 August 2022 15:32 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/the-instruction-help-option-on-nodes-and-a-slight-annoyance/66749/4 "2022-08-22T15:32:22Z")

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If you have the help tab open, then just click on the node you want help for in the list above it.

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/a/1/a19dd1564de6915bf76fe0abdb657992b7242fe0.png)

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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:** [21 October 2022 15:32 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/the-instruction-help-option-on-nodes-and-a-slight-annoyance/66749/5 "2022-10-21T15:32:41Z")

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