# Unexpected behaviour with link call

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/unexpected-behaviour-with-link-call/53133>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [2 November 2021 16:09 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/unexpected-behaviour-with-link-call/53133 "2021-11-02T16:09:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 2

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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:** [2 November 2021 16:23 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/unexpected-behaviour-with-link-call/53133/2 "2021-11-02T16:23:13Z")

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You need to set the link out to return mode.

![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/d/4/d40f1001046974a095c2b2e1482152190ed5be10.png)

Think of it this way...

- the link call is a Subroutine call
- the link-in is a Subroutine Definition
- the Link Out (set for return mode) is the Subroutine Return.

Where it is useful : Consider you had a flow or function that turned your payoad array into an object with named properties - BUT - you needed to do this on several flow tabs - you could create a "subroutine" (link in, lin out) and call it (link call) from multiple places and it will only return to the caller.

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_[View the full topic](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/unexpected-behaviour-with-link-call/53133)._