# Display name of function for cell defining function

**URL:** <https://talk.observablehq.com/t/display-name-of-function-for-cell-defining-function/10889>\
**Category:** Feedback\
**Created:** [September 28, 2026, 3:22am UTC](https://talk.observablehq.com/t/display-name-of-function-for-cell-defining-function/10889 "2026-09-28T03:22:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![akrawitz](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/talk.observablehq.com/akrawitz/32/4375_2.png) [@akrawitz](https://talk.observablehq.com/u/akrawitz)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 3:22am UTC](https://talk.observablehq.com/t/display-name-of-function-for-cell-defining-function/10889/1 "2026-09-28T03:22:25Z")

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In new Observable, a `.ts`/`.js` cell that defines a function is displayed as `<empty>`. If I wrap the function definition in `display()`, then I see the signature of the function _f_ `(args)`, but I still don’t see the name of the function. Sometimes it is really nice not to pin a cell (e.g. if the function definition is long) but still show what function is defined there. This would help with notebook usability for educational purposes.

Thanks!  
Adam

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**Author:** ![mbostock](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/talk.observablehq.com/mbostock/32/9_2.png) [@mbostock](https://talk.observablehq.com/u/mbostock)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 3:41am UTC](https://talk.observablehq.com/t/display-name-of-function-for-cell-defining-function/10889/2 "2026-09-28T03:41:17Z")

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Yep, agreed! We’re planning on implementing a default inspector for all top-level variables so that you’ll see something like `sum = ƒ(a, b)` rather than `<empty>`.