Accessibility at Figma

Make Figma accessible to you

Turn on Figma accessibility settings

Once you’ve set up accessibility features on your computer, you can adjust your Accessibility settings in Figma. To do so:

  1. Press F6 on Mac or Control F6 on Windows to select the Figma logo in the top left and press Enter to open the menu.
  2. Use arrow keys to navigate to Preferences and press Enter to open the submenu.
  3. Use the arrow keys to navigate to Accessibility settings and press Enter to open the modal.

With the Accessibility settings open, press Enter to toggle the switches and Tab to move between settings.

From here, you can adjust your preferences to:

  • Adapt content to screen readers
  • Simplify focus navigation in the Actions menu
  • Toggle enhanced contrast for the Figma UI
  • Ignore Figma-specific shortcuts in text fields
  • Toggle automatically following a collaborator when they turn on spotlight in a file

Navigate Figma products with a keyboard

  • Use F6 / Control F6 to navigate between top-level areas of the interface
  • Use Tab / ⇧Shift Tab to navigate within sections of the interface and layers on the canvas
  • Use Return / Enter or ⇧Shift Return / Enter to navigate in and out of layers on the canvas
  • Use ⌘Command K to search actions and tools

Use the actions menu in Figma

Actions offers a fast and easy way to access features in Figma files.

Press ⌘Command K on Mac or Control K on Windows to open the Actions menu, then type relevant keywords into the Search field to quickly find the action you need. For example, typing ‘align’ will show all alignment-related actions.

Learn more about the Actions menu.

Adjust your zoom and view options

Use the following keyboard shortcuts to change the zoom percentage:

  • Zoom in: ⇧Shift +
  • Zoom out: ⇧Shift -
  • Zoom to fit: ⇧Shift 1
  • Zoom to selection: ⇧Shift 2

Adjust the scale of the Figma UI

Use your keyboard to adjust the scale of the Figma interface. Resize the toolbar, side panels, and menus to your need.

Mac:

  • Reset to Default: ⌥ Option ⇧ Shift ⌘ Command 0
  • Make Larger: ⌥ Option ⇧ Shift ⌘ Command =
  • Make Smaller: ⌥ Option ⇧ Shift ⌘ Command -

Windows:

  • Reset to Default: Control ⇧Shift Alt 0
  • Make Larger: Control ⇧Shift Alt =
  • Make Smaller: Control ⇧Shift Alt -

Change themes in Figma

To change your theme from the Actions menu:

  1. Open any file you have access to.
  2. Select the Actions menu in the toolbar or use the keyboard shortcut:
    • Mac: ⌘Command K
    • Windows: Control K
  3. Type in search terms and select the theme you want to use
    • Use dark mode
    • Use light mode
    • Use system theme

Learn more about adjusting the Figma theme and contrast.

Pan and zoom the canvas

With nothing selected, you can use the arrow keys to pan around the canvas. You can also pan while a tool is active, such as the Frame or Text tool.

Hold ⇧Shift while pressing the arrow keys to increase the pan distance and move faster. The distance changes based on your current zoom level. To zoom in or out, hold ⌘Command/Control and press + or -.

Add objects to the canvas

You can create new objects like frames, shapes, or text layers using keyboard controls.

To create a new object:

  1. Enable the desired tool using its keyboard shortcut, the Actions menu, or press F6/Control F6 until the toolbar is focused, then use the arrow keys to select the tool.
  2. A crosshair cursor will appear in the middle of the viewport indicating where the new object will be placed. Use the arrow keys to move the crosshair around the canvas or board, then press Return/Enter to place the object.

Select objects on the canvas

The Keyboard box selection tool lets you select objects on the canvas using your keyboard. Use the shortcut to activate the keyboard selection tool:

  • Mac: Option Space
  • Windows: Control Space

Once activated, a pink cursor appears on the canvas. Use the arrow keys to position the cursor over and object and press Return/Enter to select it. If the selected object is a parent layer, use Tab and ⇧Shift Tab to move between its child layers.

To select multiple layers at once, draw a selection box by holding ⌘Command (Mac) or Control (Windows) and use the arrow keys to resize the box. You can hold ⇧Shift while resizing to increase the adjustment size. As you move the box, the viewport adjusts to ensure the full selection is visible.

Press Esc to close the keyboard box selection tool.

There are two ways to select objects on the canvas with your keyboard:

  • Box select lets you select a contiguous group of objects on the canvas. Move and expand the box cursor over an object or group of objects to make your selection.
  • Pick select lets you cycle through objects on your canvas using your keyboard.

Activate the Select tool by pressing ⌥Option Space/Control Space. This activates the box select tool and places a pink box cursor on the canvas. Press Tab to switch to pick select, or use ⌥Option Space / Control Space to switch between the two select tool types.

Box select

Once activated, a pink dashed box cursor appears on the canvas at the center of the viewport. Use the arrow keys to position the cursor over and object, holding ⇧Shift for big nudges, and press Return / Enter to select it. If the selected object is a parent layer, use Tab and ⇧Shift Tab to move between its child layers.

To select multiple layers at once, draw a selection box by holding ⌘Command (Mac) or Control (Windows) and use the arrow keys to resize the box. You can hold ⇧Shift while resizing to increase the adjustment size. As you move the box, the viewport adjusts to ensure the full selection is visible.

Press Esc to close the keyboard box selection tool.

Pick select

Once activated, a pink outline is placed on a selected objects on the canvas, or any node if nothing is selected. The Tab and Enter keys that normally select objects now move the pick cursor structurally among children and sibling layers of a parent object, like a frame, component, or group following the Layers panel outline.

To use pick select:

  1. Press ⌥Option Space/Control Space to activate the Select tool.
  2. Press Tab or ⌥Option Space / Control Space again to switch to pick select.
  3. Use Tab to move between parent objects on the canvas, and Return/Enter and ⇧Shift Return / Enter to move between parent and child layers.
  4. Press Space to make you selection.

Press Esc or click anywhere on the canvas to exit selection mode.

Rotate objects with a keyboard

Use your keyboard to rotate an object in a Figma Design, FigJam, or Slides file.

  • Press ⌘Command  ⌥Option ↑/ ↓ to rotate an object one degree at a time
  • Press ⌘Command  ⌥Option ⇧Shift ↑/ ↓ to rotate an object 15 degrees at a time

Activate links on the canvas and in text

When editing text, press ⌥Option Return/Alt Enter to activate a focused link.

Add, manage, and move comments

To access comments, press C and use F6 or Control F6 to navigate to the canvas and Tab through comments pins. Press Return/Enter to select a pin. You can also tab through the comments panel.

Add a comment to an object

A comment will be created + it’ll be anchored to the selected node

Move through comments on the canvas:

  1. Press C to enter comment mode.
  2. Use F6/Control F6 to move through regions until you see a comment icon appears in the middle of the viewport.
  3. Use Tab to move between comment pins.

Relocate comment pins:

  1. Press C to enter comment mode.
  2. Use F6/Control F6 to move through accessible areas until you see a comment icon.
  3. Use Tab to move between comment pins.
  4. Once you’re focused on the comment pin you want to relocate, use the arrow keys and hold ⇧Shift to move with big nudges.

Ignore Figma shortcut override

Toggle the option to ignore Figma shortcuts when using special characters in text fields:

  1. Press ⌘Command K or Control K to open the Actions menu.
  2. Type Accessibility settings in the search bar.
  3. Toggle the option to Ignore Figma shortcuts.

Turn off automatic follow for spotlight

Toggle the option to automatically follow a presenter using spotlight:

  1. Press ⌘Command K or Control K to open the Actions menu.
  2. Type Accessibility settings in the search bar.
  3. Toggle the option to Automatically follow spotlight.

Figma Design

Add and adjust guides

Before you can add and view page ruler guides, make sure they are turned on by going to the File menu > View > and checking Rulers.

To add and adjust ruler guides with a keyboard:

  1. Press ⌘Command K or Control K to open the Actions menu.
  2. Type Adjust ruler guides in the search bar.
  3. Use F6/Control F6 to move through accessible areas until you reach the right sidebar.
  4. Use Tab to navigate to the Page ruler Guides section of the sidebar.

Once there, press Return/Enter when focused on the Plus icon for the Vertical and Horizontal sections to add a guide, enter a value in the text field, and press the Minus icon to remove the guide.

To exit, press Esc, or click Close in the right sidebar.

Add, view, and manage annotations

To get started from a file in Design or Dev Mode, go to > Preferences > Accessibility settings > and toggle on Adapt content for screen readers.

Add an annotation

  1. Select the object you want to annotate.
  2. Press ⇧Shift T to activate the Annotation tool.
  3. Open the context menu by pressing:
    1. VoiceOver on Mac: ⌃Control ⌥Option ⇧Shift M
    2. Full Keyboard Access on Mac: Tab M
    3. Windows: ⇧Shift F10
  4. Select Add annotation.
  5. Add you annotation, then use Tab to add a property or Return/Enter to close the modal.

Note: It’s currently not possible to add measurements using a keyboard.

Select an annotation

  1. Select the parent frame for the annotation.
  2. Use F6/Control F6 to move through the accessible areas until the first annotation of the target node is selected.
  3. Use Tab/⇧Shift Tab to toggle through the sibling annotations.
  4. Press Enter to edit.

Edit or delete annotation

With an annotation selected:

  • Press Return/Enter to enter edit mode
  • Press Tab to move between the annotation modal’s properties
  • Press Delete/Backspace to delete it

Learn more about annotating designs.

Change the background color of the canvas

To change the background color:

  1. Deselect any layers on the canvas.
  2. From the Page section of the properties panel on the right side of the screen, click the color fill to select a new color. You can also enter a specific hex value if you prefer.
  3. If needed, set the opacity on the background by clicking 100% and entering a new value.

Learn more about changing the background color of the canvas.

FigJam

Add connectors and lines to the board

Add connectors and lines to your FigJam board using your keyboard.

  1. Activate the connector or line tool:
    • Press X to add a bent connector or L to add a straight line
    • Or, navigate to the toolbar, press Return/Enter to pick a line style > Esc to refocus the canvas.
  2. Use the arrow keys to move the crosshair cursor to the line’s starting point.
  3. Press Return/Enter to set the starting point.
  4. Use the arrow keys to navigate to the end point.
  5. Press Return/Enter or Esc to set the end point.

Add text to a connector or line:

  1. Select the connector and press Return/Enter to edit.
  2. Add your text to the field.
  3. Press Esc when finished.

Move a connector or line:

  1. Select the connector or line.
  2. Use the arrow keys to move, and use ⇧Shift with the arrow keys to move in bigger nudges.

To edit a connector or line:

  1. With a line selected, use F6/Control F6 to navigate to the selection menu to adjust color, typeface, font size, and formatting.
  2. Press Return/Enter to open a property submenu, then use Space to apply a new line style, color, or end point.

Add stamps and cast votes in FigJam with a keyboard

To add a stamp:

  1. Press E to open the stamp and emote wheel.
  2. Use Tab to move between the stamps and press Return / Enter to select it.
  3. Use the arrow keys to pick a spot to stamp, then press Return / Enter to place it on the board.

Edit tables in FigJam with a keyboard

To edit a table on the FigJam board:

  1. Select the table by navigating to it or using ⌥Option Space.
  2. Press ⇧Shift ⌘Command Space to select a cell. Press Return / Enter to enter text edit mode for a cell.
  3. Edit your cell’s text.

With a cell selected, use F6/Control F6 to navigate to the text properties menu to adjust color, typeface, font size, and formatting.

Keyboard shortcuts for editing tables in FigJam

Action Mac Windows
Selection    
Select cell Command+Shift+Space Control+Shift+Space
Select current column Command+↑, Command+↓ Control+↑, Control+↓
Select current row Command+←, Command+→ Control+←, Control+→
Cell navigation    
Move cell selection left ← ←
Move cell selection right → →
Move cell selection up ↑ ↑
Move cell selection down ↓ ↓
Extend selection    
Extend cell selection left Shift+← Shift+←
Extend cell selection right Shift+→ Shift+→
Extend cell selection up Shift+↑ Shift+↑
Extend cell selection down Shift+↓ Shift+↓
Insert rows and columns    
Add row above Alt+Shift+Enter Alt+Shift+Enter
Add row below Alt+Enter Alt+Enter
Add column before Alt+[ Alt+[
Add column after Alt+] Alt+]
Resize rows and columns    
Increase row height Alt+↓ Alt+↓
Decrease row height Alt+↑ Alt+↑
Increase row height (large step) Alt+Shift+↓ Alt+Shift+↓
Decrease row height (large step) Alt+Shift+↑ Alt+Shift+↑
Increase column width Alt+→ Alt+→
Decrease column width Alt+← Alt+←
Increase column width (large step) Alt+Shift+→ Alt+Shift+→
Decrease column width (large step) Alt+Shift+← Alt+Shift+←
Reorder rows and columns (must select entire row/column)    
Move row up Command+Shift+↑ Control+Shift+↑
Move row down Command+Shift+↓ Control+Shift+↓
Move column left Command+Shift+← Control+Shift+←
Move column right Command+Shift+→ Control+Shift+→
Deletion    
Delete selection Backspace Backspace

Dev Mode

View annotations in Dev Mode

To get started from a file in Design or Dev Mode, go to > Preferences > Accessibility settings > and toggle on Adapt content for screen readers.

Add an annotation

  1. Select the object you want to annotate.
  2. Press ⇧Shift T to activate the Annotation tool.
  3. Open the context menu by pressing:
    1. VoiceOver on Mac: ⌃Control ⌥Option ⇧Shift M
    2. Full Keyboard Access on Mac: Tab M
    3. Windows: ⇧Shift F10
  4. Select Add annotation.
  5. Add you annotation, then use Tab to add a property or Return/Enter to close the modal.

Note: It’s currently not possible to add measurements using a keyboard.

Slides

Tone dial

You can use Figma AI to adjust the tone of any text within your slides.

  1. In Slide view, use F6/Control F6 to navigate to the right sidebar.
  2. Focus on the Adjust tone icon > press Return/Enter.
  3. Press Tab once to focus the tone dial.
  4. Use arrow keys to progress left to right and top to bottom. The tone adjusts as you move around the grid.

Learn more about adjusting tone with Figma AI.

Presenter notes

To add presenter notes:

  1. In Slide view, use F6/Control F6 to navigate to the handle for presenter notes. Use ↑ and ↓ arrows to adjust the size of the notes field.
  2. Press Tab to focus the presenter notes field, then Return/Enter to enter edit mode and add text.

Learn more about using presenter notes in Figma Slides.

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