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• Access design tools from the toolbar

  Before you start

  Who can use this feature

  Users on any team or plan can access the toolbar in the Editor.

  Users will need can edit access to use every tool in the toolbar. Users with can view access can use some functions in the toolbar.

  The toolbar contains a variety of tools and functions you might use when in Figma. What appears in the toolbar depends on what you have selected on the canvas.

  Access the toolbar at the top of your screen in Figma.

  

  Menu

  Click the menu icon to access the main menu. The menu contains Figma's search feature and various other functions organized in the menu.

  Search by name, or browse by general section (e.g. file, Edit, View, etc). If there is a keyboard shortcut for the function you're trying to perform, Figma will list it next to the setting.

  • Back to Files: Open the file Browser in the current location.
  • File: Perform file-level permissions, including importing and exporting.
  • Edit: Access undo/redo, copy/paste, and advanced selection functions.
  • View: Control view settings for layout grids and rulers, perform zoom functions, and navigate within a file.
  • Object: Apply object-level functions like grouping, framing, rotating, and more.
  • Text: Format text with bolds or italics, and set size, height, and spacing.
  • Arrange: Tidy up objects with alignment and distribution functions.
  • Plugins: View, manage, and run any plugins you have installed.
  • Integrations: View, manage, and use any applications you have connected.
  • Preferences: Adjust your preferences.
  • Libraries: Open the Library modal.

  Tools

  Move and Scale tools

  When you open files in the Editor, Figma will select the Move Tool V by default .

  The Move tool allows you to select and reorder layers in the Layers Panel, or move objects around on the canvas.

  Click the arrow to the right of the Move Tool to access the Scale tool K. This allows you to resize entire objects or layers.

  Frame and Slice tools

  If you've used design tools before, you'll be familiar with Artboards. Like Artboards, frames allow you to choose an area of the canvas to create your designs in.

  Use the keyboard shortcuts A or F to select the frame tool. Create a frame with your own dimensions in the canvas, or select a frame size from Figma's presets in the right-hand panel.

  Click the arrow next to the frame tool to access the Slice tool. The Slice tool allows you to specify a region of the screen you want to export.

  Use the keyboard shortcut S to select the Slice tool.

  Shape tools

  In addition to drawing your own shapes using the Pen Tool, there are a number of default shapes you can use in Figma. Click the drop down menu to choose from:

  • Rectangle R
  • Line L
  • Arrow Shift L
  • Ellipse O
  • Polygon
  • Star
  • Place Image ⌥ Option ⌘ Command K

  Pen and Pencil tools

  The Pen tool P allows you create custom shapes and icons. Build complex Vector Networks using vector paths, anchor points, and bezier curves.

  The Pencil tool allows you to add freehand drawings or annotations to your design files.

  Figma will apply some basic smoothing to any paths you create with the Pencil tool. Press the Enter / Return key to edit the path and any anchor points in Vector Edit mode.

  MacOS: ⌥ Option P

  Windows: Shift P

  Text tool

  Text is one of the crucial components of interface design. Everything from the placement and arrangement of text, to the choice of font, has a part to play.

  Select the Text tool from the Toolbar, or press the T key to add text layers to your file.

  • Click once in the canvas to add a text layer that grows horizontally
  • Click and drag to create a text layer that is fixed in size

  Learn more about creating text layers.

  Hand tool

  The Hand Tool allows you to click around within a file without accidentally activating hover outlines, making selections, or moving objects.

  If you're using Figma on a device with a touch screen, the Hand Tool allows you to pan around a file using your fingers.

  Tip! Press and hold the Space bar to activate the Hand Tool.

  Comment tool

  The Comment tool allows you to quickly exchange ideas with collaborators. Use comments to respond to feedback, tweak your designs and iterate faster - all from the original design file.

  Comments are accessible to anyone with view or edit permissions to the file.

  Contextual tools

  When you have a layer or object selected, you will see the Contextual tools in the center of the toolbar. Which tools you see here will depend on your specific selection.

  Edit Object

  Click the Edit Object icon to enter Vector Edit mode. This allows you to add, remove, or adjust the individual anchor points within a vector path.

  This option will only be available when you select a single vector path. Learn more about working with Vector Networks.

  Or, click the Enter / Return key to enter Vector Edit mode.

  Reset Instance

  You will see this option when your selection includes a Component Instance with overrides. Click the Reset instance icon to reset any Overrides and restore the main Component.

  Create Components

  Components are elements that you can reuse across your designs. They help to create and manage consistent designs across projects. Click the Create Component icon to create a Component out of your selection.

  If you select more than one layer or frames, use the arrow next to the icon to choose how to create Components:

  • Create Component: Create a single Component from your selection.
  • Create Multiple Components: Create a Component for each layer or frame in your selection.

  MacOS: Control Commmand K

  Windows: Ctrl  Alt K

  Use as Mask

  Masks let you show or hide specific portions of a layer or object. Click the Mask icon to create a mask out of the current selection.

  When you create a mask, Figma will place every layer within that selection inside a Mask group. Figma will use the outline of the current layer to determine what you can see of any layers underneath.

  MacOS: Control Commmand M

  Windows: Ctrl  Alt M

  Boolean Operations and Flatten Selection

  Combine shape layers using Boolean operations, or by flattening the selection:

  • Union Selection: Combine overlapping vector paths into a single path.

  • Subtract Selection: Remove any overlapping paths from the base layer.

  • Intersect Selection: Create a single path from any overlapping paths.

  • Exclude Selection: Create a single path from the part of the layers that don't overlap.

  • Flatten selection: Create a single layer from the selection.

    MacOS: Commmand E

    Windows: Ctrl E

  Note: This option is only available when you have more than one layer selected.

  When you have no layers selected, Figma will show the project and the file name in the middle of the toolbar. This lets you access the following file-level actions:

  • Publish Styles & Components: Open the Library modal
  • Show Version History: Open Version History in the right-hand panel
  • Export: Open the Export List
  • Duplicate: Make a copy of the file in it's current location
  • Rename: Give the file another name
  • Delete: Delete the file for you any collaborators
  • Move to Project: Change the file's location

  Share and view settings

  Multiplayer and observation mode

  See who else is active on the file. This includes anyone who is currently viewing or editing the file.

  Click on a users' avatar to enter observation mode and view their actions in real-time. This is great for presentations and design critiques.

  Share

  Click the Share button to open the share modal. This lets you manage who has access to your file. From the share modal you can:

  • Invite Viewers or Editors to a file
  • Share files with others using Link Sharing
  • Transfer ownership of a file
  • Adjust permissions on a file
  • Remove a collaborator from a file
  • Prevent Viewers from copying, sharing, or export from files

  Present

  Click the Present icon to open the file in Presentation View. This lets you preview your designs and interact with any prototypes you've created.

  View Settings

  Adjust your view settings on your file, including:

  • Zoom Settings
  • Pixel Preview
  • Pixel Grid
  • Layout Grids
  • Multiplayer Cursors

  When you update these settings, they will only apply to your view of the current file.

• Explore the canvas

  Before you Start

  Who can use this feature

  Supported on any team or plan

  Anyone with can view access to a file can explore and move around the canvas

  The canvas in Figma is the backdrop on which all of your frames, groups, and other layers live. It has a finite size of -65,000 through +65,000 on each axis.

  By default, vectors are rendered as resolution-independent paths in the canvas though you can turn on Pixel Preview at 1x and 2x resolutions to enable pixel-precise editing for raster assets.

  The default background color of the canvas will be #E5E5E5, but you can change the background color in the Properties Panel by de-selecting any layers and clicking the color picker labeled Background.

  

  If you like having rulers visible on your canvas, you can use the Shift + R shortcut to enable them. You can also use the search feature under the menu icon to search for rulers. 

  

• Select layers and objects

  Before you Start

  Who can use this feature

  Users on Any plan

  Users with View or edit access to a File can select objects in the Canvas or Layers Panel

  Before you can update any properties associated with an object or layer, you will need to select it. We'll cover all the basics for selecting objects, as well as some lesser known tips and tricks.

  Select individual layers

  You can select layers in the canvas itself, or from the Layers Panel. Click on an object in the canvas to select it.

  

  Select nested layers

  If you're working on more complex designs, you may have objects nested within groups or frames.

  We refer to nested objects as children, and the Frames or Groups that they nest within as parents. Learn more about parent, child and sibling relationships.

  When you click on an object that is part of a group or frame, we'll select the parent by default.

  Double-click on the object - or press the enter key - to select one level of nesting down. Repeat this process until you select the correct child elements.

  Deep Select

  If there are many levels of nesting, you can use Deep select to select a nested child layer. Hold down the modifier key to select a nested layer or object.

  • macOS:  ⌘
  • Windows: Ctrl

  Select layer menu

  We have a couple of different ways to select nested objects. The Select Layer menu allows you to choose which specific you'd like to select, in the canvas.

  1. Right-click to open the context menu:
  2. Hover over the Select layer option.
  3. Select a layer from a list of layers underneath the cursor's location. We show the layer name and icon in the same order as the Layers panel.

  

  Tip! Move between nested objects using the keyboard shortcuts:

  • Select Child enter
  • Select Parent shift enter
  • Select Next Sibling tab
  • Select Previous Sibling shift tab

  Layers Panel

  Every object in the canvas will have a corresponding layer in the Layers Panel.

  Click the Layers tab in the left sidebar to open the layers panel. Or, use the keyboard shortcut:

  • MacOS: Option 1
  • Windows: Ctrl 1

  If you hover over the layer in the panel, a blue box will highlight that layer's location on the Canvas.

  Click on the layer name in the layers panel to select it.

  If there are any Frames or Groups on the canvas, we will nest the child objects within the parent. Click the arrow next to a Frame, Group, or Component to view any child layers.

  

  Can't see the layer highlight on hover? Adjust your preferences in the menu: select Preferences > Highlight on hover.

  Select multiple layers

  You can also select more than one object or layer at a time.

  This is great when you want to:

  • Update a property across more than one layer
  • Resize layers in bulk
  • Move a collection of objects
  • Create a Group, Frame, or Component from the selection

  Note: When you select more than one layer, you can access Selection Colors in the Properties Panel.

  This allows you to update individual Fills, Styles and Strokes in a mixed selection. Learn more in our View and adjust colors in a mixed selection article.

  Canvas

  1. Select an object in the Canvas.
  2. Hold down the Shift key and click on another object.
  3. This will allow you to select as many objects as you like.

  

  Tip! Click an object a second time while holding Shift to remove it from from the current selection.

  Selection marquee

  The marquee tool allows you to select all objects in a specific area of the canvas.

  1. Click and hold on a empty part of the canvas.
  2. Drag the cursor across any objects you'd like to select.
  3. A blue box will appear around each object are in the selection.
  4. To select nested layers, hold down the modifier key and drag the marquee across the objects:
     • Mac: ⌘
     • Windows: Ctrl
  5. To remove an object from the selection, hold down the Shift key and click on the object.

  

  Note: It's possible to select nested objects without selecting the parent object. This is something to be mindful of, especially when selecting objects to move them!

  When you select a parent object, this also selects any child objects. This allows you to move everything at once.

  Select multiple layers in the Layers Panel

  When you select layers in the Layers Panel, there are some different rules:

  To select every layers between two layers:

  1. Click on the first layer to select
  2. Hold down the Shift key
  3. Select the last layer.
  4. Figma will select every layer between those two layers in the Layers Panel.

  To select individual layers:

  1. Click on the first layer to select
  2. Hold down the modifier key
     • MacOS: ⌘
     • Windows: Ctrl (Windows)
  3. Select any other layers you want to select

  

  Select all layers

  The Edit menu allows to select multiple objects based on their properties. This allows you to select all layers in your file that have the same properties.

  This is super handy when you want to adjust the properties of all those layers at once.

  1. Select a layer or layers in the

  2. Go to the File menu ☰ and select Edit from the options.

  3. Choose to Select All other layers that have the same:

     • Properties
     • Fill
     • Stroke
     • Effect
     • Text Properties
     • Font
     • or another Instance

     

  Want to select everything on the canvas? Use the keyboard shortcut: macOS: ⌘ A Windows: Ctrl A

  Locked and hidden layers

  If you hide a layer we won't show in the Select Layer menu. You will need to toggle visibility on to select it.

  If you lock an object or layer, you can't select it via the normal left-click selection process. However, you can select it via the Select Layer process.

  We include locked layers in the Select Layer menu with a padlock icon.

  Tip! Smart Selection allows you to select 2 or more objects in the canvas. From there you can adjust their arrangement, or the spacing between them.

  Create a 1D Smart Selection from a list of objects that align on one axis, like a column or row. Or, a 2D Smart Selection of objects in a grid or gallery-like structure.

  Deselect objects or layers

  To clear your selection entirely:

  • Click anywhere on the canvas
  • Use the keyboard shortcut: Esc

  To remove an object from a selection:

  • Hold down the Shift key and click on the object again

  Note: If you click on a parent object, this will deselect the parent and any child objects within it.

  To select the inverse of your current selection:

  • Use the keyboard shortcut:

    macOS: ⌘ A Shift

    Windows:  Ctrl A Shift

  This removes the current selection, then selects everything on the canvas you didn't select before.

  Select objects in view-only mode

  There are a few ways to select objects in a file, but for collaborators with can view access, the experience is a bit different.

  When you make your selection in the canvas, Figma will:

  1. Outline your selection using a solid purple box.
  2. Outline the parent of your current selection using a dashed purple box.
  3. Show the name of the selected layer(s) at the top of the Inspect panel in the right sidebar.
  4. Show the Parent Component underneath the selected layer in the Inspect panel. Click the in the Inspect panel to select the parent component.

  

• Copy and paste objects in the canvas

  Before you start

  Who can use this feature

  Supported on any team or plan.

  Anyone with can view access can copy objects in a file

  Anyone with can edit access can paste objects in a file

  Hands-on learner? Check out our Copy and paste playground file.

  When you copy and paste an object in your canvas, Figma considers your intended placement of the object while keeping you aware of your location and view of the canvas.

  Paste placement

  Pasted objects try to maintain the same x and y positions within the destination frame relative to its position in the group or frame it was copied from. If the destination group or frame can't accommodate either of the object's x or y position in its previous container, Figma will paste the object in the center of the new frame.

  In the example below, Frame 1 contains a purple ellipse, red star, and green square located at the top left, bottom left, and bottom right corners respectively.

  When we copy the objects from Frame 1 to Frame 2:

  • the purple ellipse keeps its original position because both its x and y coordinates can be matched in Frame 2
  • the red star can only be matched with its original x coordinate and is centered on the y axis
  • the green square is centered on both axes because neither its original coordinates can be accommodated in Frame 2.

  

  When we copy the objects from Frame 1 to Frame 3 below:

  • the purple ellipse keeps its original position because both its x and y coordinates can be matched in Frame 3
  • the red star keeps its original position because both its x and y coordinates can be matched in Frame 3
  • the green square is centered along the x axis because it can only be matched to its y coordinate in Frame 1.

  

  Canvas view

  If you have a frame selected while pasting a copied object, Figma considers your current view of the canvas to determine where to paste the object and whether to adjust your viewing area.

  • If your current view of the canvas is far from the selected frame, Figma will paste the object in the center of your current view to avoid moving you too far from your intended paste area or disorienting you within the canvas.
  • If the selected frame is just outside your current view, Figma will paste the object into the selected frame and adjust your viewing area slightly to bring the pasted object into view.
  • If the object being pasted is larger than your current view of the canvas, Figma will adjust your view's zoom level so you can see the full pasted object.
  • If the object is being pasted into a selected frame larger than your view of the canvas, Figma will place it inside the frame in a centered position to keep you within your viewing area.

  Note: Figma considers an area 50% larger than your current view of the canvas to determine whether to adjust your view after pasting an object. If your pasted object is placed within that area, Figma will adjust your view. Otherwise, Figma will paste your object on the canvas, centered to your current view, and adjust your zoom level to depending on the object's size.

  Paste to replace

  Use the Paste to replace function to remove a selected object from your canvas or frame and replace it with the object copied to your clipboard. This is useful when you want to replace placeholder items in a frame or populate low fidelity wireframes with assets.

  

  1. Select and copy an object using the keyboard shortcut:
     • Mac: ⌘ CommandC
     • Windows: Control+C
  2. Select the objects you'd like to replace with the copied object.
  3. Right-click your selection and click Paste to replace from the menu. You can also use the keyboard shortcut:
     • Mac:⌘ Command⌥ Option⇧ ShiftV
     • Windows: Control+Alt+Shift+V

  Note: The pasted object will adopt the constraints of the object it replaced. Learn more about constraints →

  Paste over selection

  The Paste over selection option will place a copied object on top of a selected frame, not inside it. The pasted object will match the x, y position of the selected object.

  1. Select and copy an object using the keyboard shortcut:
     • Mac: ⌘ CommandC
     • Windows: Control+C
  2. Select the frame you want to paste the copied object on top of.
  3. Click to open the file menu > Edit > Paste over selection. You can also use the keyboard shortcut:
     • Mac: ⌘ Command⇧ ShiftV
     • Windows: Control+Shift+V

  Multi-paste

  Multi-paste is useful when you want to add an object to multiple frames at the same time. For example, adding a navigation bar to multiple mobile wireframes or a footer to slides in a presentation deck.

  

  1. Select and copy an object using the keyboard shortcut:
     • Mac: ⌘ CommandC
     • Windows: Control+C
  2. Select the frames you want to paste your copied object to.
  3. Paste the object using the keyboard shortcut:
     • Mac: ⌘ CommandV
     • Windows: Control+V

  Paste here

  The Paste here option lets you choose the exact placement for a pasted object. The object is placed in the location of your cursor on the canvas or in a frame.

  

  1. Select and copy an object using the keyboard shortcut:
     • Mac: ⌘ CommandC
     • Windows: Control+C
  2. Position your cursor where you want the top left of your copied object to be placed.
  3. Right-click and select Paste here.

  Note: When you use Paste here with an auto layout frame, the object will be pasted on top of the frame, not inside it.

  Paste to clipped frames

  Copy pasting objects that are inside a frame, but visually outside the frame bounds will honor the outside position whether the destination frame is clipped or not.

  This is handy for placing objects outside of the frame that will be animated into or out of a frame in a prototype with smart animate.

  Copy as PNG

  You can copy a selected object as a PNG image to your clipboard to paste inside Figma or other applications. Images created using Copy as PNG will default to a 2× size image output.

  • Select an object.
  • Right-click the object and select Copy as PNG. You can also use the keyboard shortcut:
    • Mac: ⌘ Command⇧ShiftC
    • Windows: Control+Shift+C
  • Paste the image using the keyboard shortcut:
    • Mac: ⌘ Command⇧ShiftV
    • Windows: Control+Shift+V

  Copy and paste image fills

  Images in Figma behave as fills that can be layered and applied to shapes objects. You can select an image fill on a shape and copy paste it onto another shape.

  1. In the Fill section of the right sidebar, select the area just to the left of the image preview.
  2. Copy the fill using the keyboard shortcut:
     • Mac: ⌘ CommandC
     • Windows: Control+C
  3. Select the shape you want to add the copied fill to.
  4. Paste the copied image using the keyboard shortcut:
     • Mac: ⌘ CommandV
     • Windows: Control+V

  Learn more about how copy and paste works in our playground file →

• Design, prototype, and inspect (right sidebar)

  Before you start

  Who can use this feature

  Users on any team or plan.

  Users with can edit access to a file can access all of the Properties Panel

  Users with View access to a File can only access the Code section

  When you're in the editor, you will see a sidebar on each side of the canvas. Along with the Toolbar, these sidebars make up the Figma UI.

  The Figma UI allows you to access, create and adjust elements of your design.

  • The left sidebar gives you access to the Layers, Assets, and pages included in your file. We call this the Layers panel. Learn more about navigating the Layers panel.
  • The Design tab of the right sidebar lets you view and adjust the properties of any object. You can also access the file's prototype settings and view the code of any selected object(s) in the Inspect panel.

  In this article, we're going to take you on a tour of the right sidebar. There are three tabs at the top the panel.

  Design

  The Design tab allows you to view, add, remove or change the properties of objects within your design.

  When you have nothing selected in the Design panel, you will be able to view any Styles that are local to the file. You'll also be able to update the background color of the canvas.

  

  Once you select a layer, the Design tab will consist of many different settings. The type of layer you've selected will determine what settings are available in the Design tab.

  For example, select a text object to view and adjust the text formatting. When you select a component, you can view, detach, or swap instances in the Instance menu.

  

  Any properties that are currently active will show up in black. Inactive properties that aren't applied to the selected layer will show as greyed out.

  The following properties are available in the Design tab:

  • Alignment and Distribution
  • Frame Size and Orientation 
  • Position on the Canvas (X and Y) 🔗
  • Dimensions of the Object (Width and Height) 🔗
  • Instance 
  • Constraints 
  • Layout Grid
  • Layer (Blend Modes)
  • Text 
  • Fill 
  • Stroke
  • Effects 
  • Export Settings 

  Prototype

  The Prototype tab gives you access to all the prototyping functionality.

  This allows you to establish connections between frames in your design. You can then apply transitions that simulate how a user might interact with them.

  The Prototype tab consists of five sections:

  1. Choose an Interaction

     Allows you to define the Trigger, Action and Destination for any Interactions.

  2. Apply an Animation

     Allows you to define the Transition that moves the users between Frames. You can also adjust the Direction, Easing, Duration and Smart Animation.

  3. Customize an Overlay

     Allows you to create tool-tips, interactive menus, alerts or confirmations.

  4. Define the Overflow Behavior

     Allows you to define how your prototype responds to scrolling. This allows you to create more advanced user interactions e.g. carousels, galleries or interactive maps.

  5. Adjust the Prototype Settings

     Allows you to adjust the Device, Background, and Starting point of your prototype.

  

  Tip! For an even more efficient workflow, you can quickly toggle between the Design and Prototype tabs using the keyboard shortcut Shift E.

  Learn more about about prototyping in Figma →

  Inspect

  The third option in the right sidebar is the Inspect tab. This allows you to see how to express elements of your design in code.

  You can choose from the following formats:

  1. CSS (Web Development)
  2. iOS (Swift)
  3. Android (XML)

  You can also toggle between a Code and List view, using the icons provided:

  Learn more about using the Inspect panel →

• Adjust your view settings in design files

  Who can use this feature

  Supported on any team or plan.

  Anyone with at least can view access to a file can adjust their view settings. These settings on apply to your view of the file.

  You can customize your Editor preferences in the Zoom/view options menu. Select the Zoom dropdown in the toolbar to open the zoom and view options menu.

  From here you can adjust your zoom settings, or toggle on other view settings like Layout grids or Multiplayer cursors.

  Tip! Each setting in this menu can be toggled off or on. If there's a checkmark next to the setting then it is on. If there isn't a checkmark, then it's off. Select the setting from the menu to adjust it.

  Canvas zoom settings

  There are a number of ways to adjust canvas zoom in design files. Any changes you make to zoom only apply in the current tab for that file.

  When you first open a file, the default zoom level will be set to Zoom to Fit. This focuses the viewport so you can see everything on the current page.

  Note: These zoom settings only apply to layers and objects on the canvas. If you're using the desktop app, you can adjust the scale of Figma's interface, which includes the toolbar, and the left and right sidebars. If you're using Figma in a browser, you can use your browser's zoom settings to adjust the size of the interface.

  Zoom percentages

  View the current zoom percentage in the top-right corner of the toolbar.

  • Click to open the zoom/view settings menu.
  • Figma focuses on the current percentage field. Start typing to enter a specific percentage.
  • Select one of the default zoom percentages:
    • Zoom to 50%
    • Zoom to 100%
    • Zoom to 200%

  

  Keyboard shortcuts

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

  Tip! If you are opening a Figma URL that links to a specific node, the canvas will be zoomed to fit that specific node.

  Mouse and trackpad gestures

  You can also use your mouse or trackpad to zoom the canvas.

  On both Mac and Windows trackpads, you can use the following gestures to adjust zoom:

  • Stretch two fingers apart to zoom in
  • Pinch two fingers together to zoom out

  On an Apple Magic Mouse:

  • Hold down ⌘ Command (Mac) or Ctrl (Windows) and scroll up and down
  • Double-tap with one finger to zoom in and back out

  On another type of mouse:

  • Hold down ⌘ Command (Mac) or Ctrl (Windows) and scroll the mouse wheel up to zoom in or down to zoom out.

  Pixel preview

  By default, vectors in Figma are rendered as resolution-independent. This means that there aren't fixed resolutions for the paths you create in the canvas.

  To support pixel-precise editing, you can enable Pixel preview. This allows you to preview vector objects in their rasterized format.

  You can view Pixel preview in either 1x or 2x mode. This allows you to preview how objects will appear on both low and high resolution displays.

  To enable Pixel preview

  1. Open the zoom/view options menu.
  2. Hover over the Pixel preview option to open the menu. This defaults to Disabled.
  3. Select either 1x or 2x from the options:
  4. A checkmark will appear next to the setting in the menu. You will also see a toast notification at the bottom of your scree to confirm Pixel preview is enabled.

  

  To disable Pixel preview:

  1. Select the Zoom/view options menu in the toolbar.
  2. Hover over the Pixel preview option.
  3. Select Disabled from the options.

  

  Tip! You can also use the shortcut to toggle Pixel Preview off and on:

  • MacOS: ⌃Control P
  • Windows: Control Alt P

  Pixel grid

  For greater accuracy when placing and aligning objects, you can enable the Pixel Grid.

  Each square in the Pixel Grid represents a single pixel, when exported at 1x resolution.

  1. Click on the View Settings menu:
  2. If there is no check next to it, you can select Pixel Grid to toggle this on:
  3. If there is already a check next to Pixel Grid, you can click it again to toggle it off.
  4. You can also use the keyboard shortcuts to toggle the Pixel Grid off and on:
     1. MacOS: ⌘Command '
     2. Windows: Ctrl '

  Snap to Pixel grid

  The Pixel grid itself will only be visible at zoom levels of 400% or higher. If you want to use the Pixel grid while zoomed out, the Snap to pixel grid setting is a great tool.

  When you enable this functionality we will align objects to the underlying grid when placing or moving them. This can help to prevent mis-aligned pixel errors when exporting elements.

  

  1. Click on the View settings menu.
  2. Select Snap to pixel grid to toggle this on.
  3. If there is already a check next to Snap to Pixel Grid, click it again to toggle it off.
  4. You can also use the keyboard shortcuts to toggle the Pixel Grid off and on:
     • MacOS: ⌘Command '
     • Windows: Ctrl Shift '

  Note: It's still possible to place Objects on sub-pixel values when using the Scale tool.

  Pixels and resolution

  Both your browser and device determine what one pixel looks like, meaning "one pixel" is not always the same as the next. For this reason, any pixels in Figma are really "virtual pixels" or resolution-dependent.

  If you're wanting to work in a more resolution-independent manner, we recommend using Layout grids to control placement and alignment of objects. Learn more about Layout grids →

  Layout grids

  You can toggle the visibility of all Layout Grids in your Files, from the View Settings menu.

  This is great if you'd like to preview how a design will look, without having to remove or hide Layout Grids for individual objects.

  

  1. Click on the View Settings menu:
  2. If there is no check next to the Layout Grids option, click to display them:
  3. If there is a check already showing, clicking Layout Grids will hide them:
  4. You can also use the keyboard shortcuts to toggle Layout Grids:
     • MacOS: Control G
     • Windows: Ctrl Shift 4

  Learn more about Layout grids →

  Multiplayer cursors

  If you're collaborating with other Team members in a File, you will be able to see their actions via the Multiplayer cursors. Collaborator names and cursors are shown next to their location on the canvas.

  If you don't want to be distracted by other team member's actions, you can hide their cursors from your view.

  1. Click on the View Settings menu.
  2. If there is no check next to the Multiplayer Cursors option, click to display them.
  3. If there is a check already showing, click Multiplayer Cursors again to hide.
  4. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Option-Command-\to toggle Multiplayer Cursors.

  

  Prototype flows

  A prototype is the network of frames and connections in a single page. Prototypes can map out a user's entire journey through your app or website, or can focus on a specific segment or flow.

  For example: your prototype covers all possible interactions on an eCommerce site. You then have flows for creating an account, adding items to a cart, and making a purchase. Guide to prototyping →

  If you only have view access to a file, you can't create prototypes or make changes to an existing prototype. Viewers can still view existing prototype connections by toggling the Prototype flows setting.

  Note: If you have edit access to the file, you can view prototype flows by switching to the Prototype tab. View prototype connections →

  To toggle prototype flows on or off:

  1. In the toolbar, click the current zoom percentage to open your view settings.

  2. Select Prototype flows to toggle on prototype connections. Figma will add a checkmark next to the setting in the menu, and show any connections on the current page.

     If there are multiple flows on the current page, you can select one starting point at a time. This allows you to view the details of any Interactions in the Inspect tab of the right sidebar.

     To view connections on another page, select another page in the left sidebar.

  3. To hide the interactions, select Prototype flows again in the view menu.

  

• Parent, child and sibling relationships

  Before you Start

  Who can use this feature

  Users on Any plan

  The concepts outlined here are valid for any level of access. These terms aren't specific to Figma, but they will help you understand some behaviors and dependencies in Figma.

  We use the terms Parent, Child and Sibling to describe relationships between objects in Figma.

  These terms are commonly used to explain similar relationships in web development, or programming.

  In this article, we'll clarify what we mean when we use these terms.

  If you have a background in object-orientated programming (OOP), these relationships are a little different. Parent/child relationships in Figma don't really relate to inheritance.

  In Figma, these relationships function more like the Document Object Model (DOM). That is, containers with elements inside them.

  Parents children and siblings

  We use these terms to explain how objects relate to other objects on the canvas.

  Parents are objects - namely Frames, Components and Groups - that contain other objects.

  Children are objects that are contained within a Parent.

  Siblings are objects that are contained within the same Parent. 

  • In a Frame with objects inside it, the Frame is a parent and any objects in it are children.
  • A Frame by itself is not automatically a parent. It is only a parent if there are objects within it.
  • If a parent contains more than one object, the child objects are siblings.
  • Objects — like Frames, Groups and Components — can be both parents and children.

  

  Parent and child interactions

  While these terms aren't explicitly used in the product, they are important for understanding how objects behave and relate to one another in Figma.

  Unlike their biological counterparts, they function as containers (parents) and contents (children) that influence each other. Rather than a defined lineage with explicit inheritance.

  Properties

  There are parent/child relationships that involve influence. In a lot of circumstances, the parent will be a Frame.

  You can add the following properties to a Frame that influences all their child objects:

  • Layout Grids: Create visual structure to your designs
  • Auto Layout: Create dynamic Frames that respond to their contents
  • Clip Content: Hide any objects within the Frame that extend beyond the Frame's bounds

  You can also add properties to a child object:

  • Constraints: Define how child objects will respond when you resize the parent Frame

  Parenting behavior

  When you move an object in the Canvas to a new location, Figma will decide whether or not to reparent the object.

  Reparenting means that the object is taken out of its current parent (e.g. a Frame) and is nested within another Frame.

  Figma uses the same logic for parenting when you are adding new objects to a Frame.

  The default behavior is:

  • If an object is smaller than a Frame, we will make it a child of the Frame
  • If an object is larger than a Frame, then we will not make it a child element

  Bypass default behavior

  You can choose to bypass the default behavior:

  • When adding Objects, hold down the Space bar to prevent Figma from reparenting an object
  • When moving an object out of a Frame's bounds, hold the Space bar to keep an object within the current parent
• Color models in Figma

  Before you start

  Who can use this feature

  Colors are available on any team or plan

  Anyone with can edit access to the file can use the color picker and select a color model.

  There are lots of terms used to describe color. In this article, we use the term color model to describe the different ways your can represent a color.

  Figma allows you to see colors across five color models: HEX, HSB, HSL, CSS, and RGB.

  Switching between color models only affects how Figma describes colors, it doesn't affect how Figma renders them.

  

  Color profiles do affect how Figma renders colors. If you are using the Figma Desktop app, you can choose to apply a different color profile to your working space. 

  Regardless of your desired color profile, Figma exports all assets using the sRGB color profile. Learn about color management in the Desktop app.

  Color models in Figma

  By default, Figma represents color values using the HEX model. You can also view color notation for other models in the color picker.

  HEX

  Is the default color model in Figma and refers to the Hexadecimal color. This is an alphanumeric shorthand representative of the RGB values.

  Creators in web, or digital design refer to the notation for this color model as hexcodes.

  RGB

  RGB or Red Green Blue is the most commonly used color model.

  Every color that is rendered on a monitor or screen will be made up of varying amounts of Red Green and Blue.

  You may have also seen RGBa referenced in other resources. The a in RGBa stands for alpha, which represents the opacity of the color. This represents opacity as a value between 0 and 100%.

  HSB

  Hue Saturation Brightness is an alternative representation of the RGB model.

  This is based around how the human eye perceives color, versus how a display would (in RGB).

  All color models will have an additional Alpha channel (or value), which represents the Opacity of the color.This represents opacity as a value between 0 and 100%.

  HSL

  Hue Saturation Luminance is another color model based around how the human eye perceives color.

  Like HSB, it is an alternative representation of the RGB model. The main difference between HSB and HSL is how saturation and lightness are treated.

  CSS

  The CSS color model allows you to view or enter RGBa values using CSS syntax. This includes the format, followed by the values for each color: rgba(47, 128, 237, 1)

  Want to communicate colors to a developer or engineer? The CSS model lets you copy CSS-friendly notation for the selected color. This lets you paste this directly into a stylesheet, formatting included. Learn more about Developer Handoff.

  View Color models in the Color Picker

  While Figma exports everything in the sRGB color model, you may want to view colors in another color model.

  View and update colors across different color models in the Color picker.

  1. Click on the Fill or Stroke in the right sidebar to open the Color picker.
  2. Below the Hue and Opacity sliders you can see the current color model and the corresponding values.
  3. Use the drop down to switch color models. Choose between HEX, HSB, HSL, CSS and RGB:
  4. Figma will show the values in the notation you selected.