template node will consume space on page even if its empty

[WhiteLionATX]

Current Behavior

adding template to a group widget will add an spaceholder.

Expected Behavior

if template is empty or does only contain script there should not any space be reserved for the node at ui.

Steps To Reproduce

add an template node to a ui group and watch how it expands.

Environment

• Dashboard version:
• Node-RED version:
• Node.js version:
• npm version:
• Platform/OS:
• Browser:

Have you provided an initial effort estimate for this issue?

I have provided an initial effort estimate

[joepavitt]

This is by design currently as it can provide a "spacer", i.e. push widgets right of the screen and provide an empty space for design reasons.

We're about to introduce a dedicated "Spacer" node to achieve this, so we wouldn't have a need for that use with template anymore.

However, that being said, if you've asked Dashboard to add a template, I don't think we should be trying to be "smart" and work out whether or not to render it. If you don't want it there, why can't you just remove it?

[WhiteLionATX]

I am sorry not to be clear:
I need the template node and use it as script (group widget). But its nothing more than that (no UI elements are created by template node). But it eats space. I give you an example:

All the space marked red is used for a script containing template node (two nodes for each button one needed):

template node containing nothing than a script and should not eat any space at the UI then:

[joepavitt]

Ah, very interesting use case that I hadn't considered. We may need to add an option here then that enables you to "hide" the rendering of the template, but maintains the functionality under the covers.

[hotNipi]

Meanwhile as a workaround this should work: