If you're working on revisions or iterations on a branch, you may want to share your progress with other designers and collaborators.
Everyone with access to the main file can view and explore branches of that file. You can also share branches with other collaborators to allow them to view or edit their contents.
Giving someone can view or can edit access to a branch also gives them view access to the main file.
There are a few ways to share branches.
A
Main file
Anyone with can view access to the main file can view any branches on that file.
Click the next to the file/branch name in the toolbar.
Select See all branches to open the branches modal.
Select the branch to open it in the Editor. Tip! You can tell if a file link is for a main file or a branch as all branches will include a /branch/ variable and a unique string for that branch.
B
Share link
Share a branch link and control access to the branch using link sharing.
Open the branch.
Click the Share button in the toolbar.
Click the link sharing setting.
Select Anyone with a link to allow anyone to access the file using the file link.
Click Copy link to add the branch link to your clipboard.
You and your team can create as many branches as you like. To create a branch you need an editor role on Figma design and view or edit access to the main file.
Within the branch you can safely explore changes and iterations, without disrupting anything or anyone in the main file. You can add, edit, or remove individual layers, components, or entire designs. Figma will keep track of all your changes.
From the main file, click the next to the file name in the toolbar.
Select Create branch... from the options.
Give the branch a name. Figma will use this to identify the branch in the editor, including in the main file's version history.
Figma will create a new branch that is an exact replica of the main file in its current state. In the toolbar, you will see the File nameBranch name
You can now make any changes to your branch without immediately affecting the main file.
Share branches
Branches are an extension of the main file. Anyone with access to the main file can access branches. Anyone you invite to a branch, gets access to the main file.
You can invite someone to a branch, or share the branch’s unique link.
Tip! You can tell if a file link is for a main file or a branch as all branches will include a /branch/ variable and a unique string for that branch.
Get updates from the main file
If you’re working with collaborators, it’s likely designs in the main file will change and evolve.
Figma will let you know if there are any updates available in the main file. You can then review any changes made in the main file and choose to apply them to your branch. This makes sure you're using the latest version of the designs.
It's not possible to pick and choose which changes you want to apply. You can choose to ignore these updates for now and resolve any conflicts when you merge instead.
When you're finished making changes in your branch, you have the option to request a review. This allows other people to view your changes before they’re merged.
If you don’t have edit access to the main file, you need to request a review and allow someone who does to merge the branch.
If you have edit access and don’t require a review, you can skip straight to the merge process.
Reviewers can preview the branch changes alongside the main file. View what’s been added, edited, or removed by page and compare changes side-by-side, or as an overlay.
Reviews can do any of the following:
Approve changes
Approve and merge branch (people with edit access to the main file)
When you're satisfied with your changes, you can review and merge your branch with the main file. You'll have the option to resolve any conflicts before applying changes from your branch to the main file.
If someone else has already reviewed and approved the changes, the merge process is a few clicks to complete.
View all branches in the Branches modal. You'll see three tabs for Active and Archived branches, as well as branches you created (Yours). The Archived tab includes both merged and archived branches.
If you have can edit access to the main file, you can do the following from the Branches modal:
Note: There are a few steps involved in receiving updates and merging changes. And while uncommon, it’s possible for something to go wrong at one of those steps.
There are a few things you can do if something doesn’t look right after a merge or update. Incomplete merges or updates →
Things to note
Version history
View activity related to branching and merging in the file's version history. Figma will create checkpoints when you create a branch and merge a branch.
Figma will create an extra checkpoint in the file's version history before merging the file, this preserves a record of any other changes made to the main file before it was merged.
Everything that happened in the branch will be contained in that single checkpoint. You can view the detailed version history of a branch when viewing the branch itself.
Branch created
Updated from main
Branch merged
Comments
Comments from the main file don't appear in any branches
Comments do not count towards changes when checking for updates from the main file
Comments from the branch don't end up in the main file when you merge
Publish libraries
You can only publish to a library from the main file. If you've made changes in a branch that you want to share, you'll need to merge the branch before publishing.
Publish to the Community
You can only publish to the Community from the main file. If you want to publish the branch, you can duplicate it to create a new file that's separate from the main file.
In the toolbar, click the next to the file name.
Select Duplicate as new file from the options.
Figma will duplicate the branch and add it as a file to the existing location. The name of the file be Main file name : branch name (Copy).
If changes are made in the main file, Figma will notify any branches that updates are available. If you have edit access to the branch, you can review and apply those updates to your branch.
It's not possible to choose which changes from the main file you want to apply. You'll need to receive all updates from the main file.
If there are changes to layers you are editing in your branch, you may need to resolve conflicts. You can do this as soon as new changes are available, or when you merge the branch.
Caution: If you have an active memory limit banner in your file, you can't review and merge changes. Figma will disable the Review and merge changes setting. To get updates from the main file or merge a branch, you need to reduce your memory usage.
Review and apply changes
When you accept updates, Figma applies any changes to existing layers, components, or styles in your branch. If new assets were created in the main file, Figma will also add these to your branch. If you've created new assets in your branch, these changes won't have any affect on those assets.
Expand the menu next to the file/branch name in the toolbar.
Select Update from main... to preview any updates.
View a list of items that have been , , or . You can see a preview of the latest versions, but it's not a before and after of what's changed.
Select Apply changes to apply all updates to your branch.
Resolve conflicts
If other collaborators have been continuing to make changes to the main file, you may have conflicting changes. This means one or more of the elements you've made changes to has been updated in the main file.
Figma will let you know if there are any conflicting changes from the Update from main file modal.
Click Resolve conflicts to view any conflicts.
View a list of conflicts in the left sidebar.
Select an option from the list to review the conflicting changes side-by-side. The version from the main file (source) is on the left and the branch on the right.
Select which version you would like to use. Figma will add a badge next to the conflict to show whether you selected the main or branch.
Repeat the process for the remaining conflicts. You'll need to choose a version for every conflict.
To quickly select the same option for every conflict, use the Resolve all menu. Choose from:
Pick main file to use the latest changes from the main file
Pick branch to keep the changes in your branch.
When you have a selection for every conflict, click Next to move to the next step.
You can now preview any other updates from the main file, if there are any. Click Apply changes to apply those updates.
Figma will apply updates from the main file return you to the branch. You can then continue to edit your branch. If you're receiving updates as part of a branch merge, you can complete the rest of the process.
Reverse or undo updates
If you want to undo or reverse a branch update, you can restore a previous version of the branch. If you notice something doesn’t look right after a merge or update, read our Incomplete updates and merges article.
From the branch, click the next to the file/branch name in the toolbar.
Select Show version history to open version history in the right sidebar.
Select a version before the update from the main file.
Right-click the version or click the and select Restore this version.
Figma will add two autosave checkpoints to the file's version history. A checkpoint that saves the current version. This is an autosaved version with a timestamp that matches the current time. A checkpoint at the same timestamp for the version you just restored.
Click Done in the toolbar to exit version history.
View and manage branches of a Figma design file from the branches modal. You can identify design files with branches using the icon.
View branches
You can view a file's branches from the main file, or in the file browser.
Main file
Click the next to the file/branch name in the toolbar.
Select See all branches to open the branches modal.
If you have can edit access to the main file, you can take further action on branches from the file name menu:
Select Duplicate as new file to create a new file from the branch. This will create a separate file, so you won't be able to apply any changes from that file back to the main file.
Select Rename to change the name of the branch (from branch only)
Select Archive to archive the current branch without merging (from branch only)
File browser
If a file has branches, you'll see an icon on the top-left of the file tile, and the total number of branches underneath the file name.
Click to view the main file
Use the dropdown to select one of the branches
Manage branches
View all branches in the Branches modal. You'll see three tabs for Active and Archived branches, as well as branches you created (Yours). The Archived tab includes both merged and archived branches.
If you have can edit access to the main file, you can do the following from the Branches modal:
You can open, view, and explore any active or archived branches. You can view any pages, comments, and a full version history for that branch.
Find the branch you want to open. You can find merged branches in the Archived tab.
Hover over the branch and click Open. Figma will open that branch in the editor.
Archive branch
Archive any historic, abandoned, or incomplete branches.
Find the branch you want to archive.
Click to open the menu.
Select Archive to move the branch to the Archived tab.
Copy link to branch
Copy a link to the branch to share the file URL with a co-worker or collaborator.
Open the branches modal.
Next to the branch you want to share, click to open the menu.
Select Copy link to add the URL for the branch to your clipboard.
Rename branch
Open the branches modal.
Next to the branch you want to share, click to open the menu.
Select Rename from the options.
The branch name will now be an editable field. Enter the new name in the field provided.
Press Enter or click outside the field to apply your changes.
Restore an archived branch
Restore an archived branch. This allows you to continue to edit the file, as well as merge your updates into the main file. It's not possible to restore a merged branch.
When you're finished making changes in your branch, you can request one or more people to review and approve the changes before merging the branch to the main file.
If you don’t have edit access to the main file, you must request a merge from someone who does have edit access. Reviewers can either Approve the branch or Request changes.
You can request a review from anyone who has access to the main file. This can include members of the team, as well as anyone who has access to the file or project.
A reviewer can then review the changes in your branch and choose whether to approve them or suggest changes.
Request review
When you're finished making changes in your branch, you can request one or more people to review and approve the changes before merging the branch to the main file. This process is not a requirement for merging to the main file.
Open the branch you want reviewed.
Expand the menu next to the file/branch name in the toolbar.
Click Request review to open the Branch review modal.
You can then preview any changes you've made as well as select reviewers to approve the changes.
Figma will suggest people with edit access to the main file. editors on your team, click Add next to the suggestion to add them as a reviewer.
To select another team member, or someone outside of your team, click .
Browser Other team members in the list.
Use the Search field to find a specific person.
Once you've added your reviewer(s), click Request review.
Use the description field to give reviewers more context for the changes you're making. <IMAGE: Request review pop up from button>
Click Send to reviewers to submit the request.
Figma will notify reviewers by in-app notification and email. A label will also appear next to your branch name in the toolbar to show the branch is In review.
View reviewer feedback
Reviewers can choose to approve your branch or suggest further changes. Figma will send you a notification and email (if enabled) to let you know the review outcome.
There are three possible outcomes from a review, Figma represents these outcomes as a status next to the branch name in the toolbar:
Approved: Your changes have been approved, but the branch has not been merged. This usually means the reviewer does not have edit access to the main file, or is waiting for other reviewers to add their review before merging.
Changes suggested: A yellow badge indicates that the reviewer needs you to make some changes before the branch is accepted. You can open the review modal to view the suggestions. Reviewers may have added feedback to individual layers or designs using comments. If there are comments, you'll see a banner with a View comments banner.
Merged: Your changes from the branch have been approved and merged into the main file. The branch will be archived and locked.
Resend request
Resend a review request to any reviewers. You can do this to remind a reviewer of an outstanding review or to submit another request after making changes.
Open the branch you want reviewed.
Expand the menu next to the file/branch name in the toolbar.
Select Request review to open the Branch review modal.
Select Resend review request.
Update the description of the review to account for any changes (optional).
Click Send to reviewer. Figma will notify any reviewers of the request via email and in-app notification.
Branch creators can request a review from a team member or other collaborator before merging a branch. You'll receive an email and notification when someone adds you as a branch reviewer.
Reviewers can view all the changes included in the branch. They can then choose to Approve a branch, or Suggest changes from the branch's creator.
If you only have view access to the main file, you can still review a branch. If you have edit access to the main file, you can also merge an approved branch.
Open branch
Click the notification or open the link from your email to access the branch's Branch review modal.
Open the branch you want to review, click the menu next to the file/branch name in the toolbar, and select Review and merge changes.
Review changes
Branch reviews apply to all changes in a branch. There isn't a way to approve some changes and reject others.
You can use the review process to suggest changes to the branch creator. They can then make those changes and resubmit the branch for review.
In the left sidebar of the Branch review window you can see a summary of the branch. This includes the branch name, the main file, and the total number of changes.
View details of the review request in the Review request section. This includes a description of the branch added by the branch creator, and the date and time the review was requested.
In the main body of the window you can view a list of components, instances, or layers that have been , , , or . Figma groups changes by page, click the page name to collapse or expand the changes in each page.
Select an object or page to view changes for a specific layer or component.
With a layer or component selected you can:
View the layer, frame, or component name at the top of the modal. Click in the top left to go back to the review summary.
View changes side by side or as an overlay.
Use the buttons to:
Zoom in
Zoom out
Zoom to Fit
View details of the changes, including any layers or specific properties changed.
If there are multiple changes, use the and arrows at the bottom to view other changes.
Approve branch
If you're happy with all of the changes you can approve the branch. If you have edit access to the main file you can also merge the branch into the main file.
To add your approval:
Click Add your review in the bottom-right corner of the window.
In the Finish your review dialog, select Approve.
Add any comments you want to make (optional).
Select Submit to approve the branch. You'll see an Approved badge next to the branch name in the toolbar.
Suggest changes
If there are changes you'd like the branch creator to make before merging, you can suggest changes. You can add a summary of the changes during the review process.
If there are specific changes or suggestions you'd like to make, you can also add comments to the individual designs. Comments are specific to the branch and aren't included when you merge the changes into the main file.
Click Add your review in the bottom-right corner of the window.
In the Finish your review dialog, select Suggest changes.
Add any general comments you want to make (optional). You can also close out the modal and add comments to designs or layers in the branch.
Select Submit add your review. You'll see a Changes suggested badge next to the branch name in the toolbar.
Edit review
Edit your review to make changes to your comment. If you've made a mistake or want to change your review, you can review the branch again.
Click next to the branch name in the toolbar.
Select Review and merge changes.
Find your review in the left sidebar. Click next to your name.
You'll see a blue border around the comment to show the field is now editable. Click inside the text and make any changes as needed. Click outside the text field to apply your changes.
Review again
If you've made a mistake or want to change your review, you can review the branch again. You can also use this process to review a branch after your suggested changes have been made by the branch creator.
When you want to apply your branch changes to the main file, you can merge the branch. If you have multiple branches and contributors, we recommend coordinating merges to reduce errors or disruption.
If you have view only access to the main file, you will need to request a branch review from someone with edit access.
If you have edit access to the main file, you can go ahead and merge the branch. You can still choose to request a review from a collaborator.
Caution: If you have an active memory limit banner in your file, you can't review and merge changes. Figma will disable the Review and merge changes setting. To get updates from the main file or merge a branch, you need to reduce your memory usage.
Open branch review
Open the branch you want to merge.
Expand the menu next to the file/branch name in the toolbar.
Select Review and merge changes to open the branch review modal.
At the moment, you need to merge all updates from the branch into the main file. There isn't a way to select or merge specific changes.
View a list of components, instances, or layers that have been , , or . Figma groups changes by page.
Select an object or page to view changes. You can choose to view these side by side or as an overlay.
View the layer, frame, or component name at the top of the modal.
Use the buttons to:
Zoom out
Zoom in
FIT Zoom to fit
Use and arrows at the bottom to move between changes if there is more than one change.
Click in the top left to go back to the summary.
Side by side
Side by side view allows you to see both designs at the same time. This is the default display option.
The left side shows what your object looks like before your changes (the main file).
The right side shows what that object look will look like after the merge (the branch).
Overlay
Overlay allows you to compare the before and after by placing them on top of one another.
The layer underneath is the element before the branch is merged (the main file).
The top on top is the element after the merge (the branch).
You can drag the toggle left or right to adjust the opacity of the after object.
Merge branch
Click Merge to apply changes from the branch to the main file. This will also archive the branch.
Figma will show a notification at the bottom of the screen to confirm the merge. There is an option to add a name and description for the merge in the file's version history.
Click Edit merge description.
Add a Name for the merge.
Give the merge a Description.
Click Save to apply.
You can also come back and add or edit this description in the file's version history.
It’s possible to undo merges and updates by restoring a previous version of the branch or main file. This also applies if you notice something doesn’t look right after a merge or update. Incomplete updates and merges →
Anyone with can edit access to the main file can merge branches.
This is one step in the branching process. For more information on branching, check out our Guide to branching.
There are a few steps involved in receiving updates and merging changes. And while uncommon, it’s possible for something to go wrong at one of those steps.
If it does, you may find yourself in a situation where a merge or update didn't complete. We’re working on improvements that will reduce the chances of this happening.
In the meantime, there are a few things you can do if something doesn’t look right after a merge or update.
Issues
Problem
Solution
Updates from a previous merge show up as conflicts you still need to resolve. This means a previous update from main didn’t complete.
Tip! You can identify a branch by looking out for this structure in the toolbar:
File nameBranch name
Make sure you have the branch open.
Click on an empty spot in the canvas to deselect any layers.
In the toolbar, click next to the file name.
Select Show Version History.
In the right sidebar, click next to the “Before update” checkpoint.
Click next to the version name and select Restore this version.
Click Done in the toolbar to exit version history.
Restore an earlier version of the main file
Caution: Restoring a previous version applies to everyone with access to the main file. This won’t preserve any other changes made to the main file, including other branch merges.
Note: Reversing or undoing a merge won’t restore an archived branch. You’ll need to restore the branch before trying to merge the branch again.
From the main file, click the next to the file name in the toolbar.
Select Show version history to open version history in the right sidebar.
You can identify a merged branch with the Branch merge icon.
Select a version before the merged branch. This could be the “Before merge” checkpoint or any other checkpoint.
Click next to the version and select Restore this version.
Click Done in the toolbar to exit version history.
