What Are Instances in Figma?

In Figma, instances are a powerful feature that allows you to create and reuse elements with ease. They are like clones or duplicates of a master component, but any changes made to the master component will automatically reflect in all its instances throughout your design.

Creating Instances

To create an instance in Figma, you first need to have a master component. A master component acts as the source or template for all its instances. To create a master component, simply select the element you want to turn into a reusable component and click on the 'Create Component' button in the toolbar or press Ctrl + Alt + K.

Once you have a master component, you can create instances by dragging it from the assets panel onto your canvas. Alternatively, you can also right-click on the master component and choose 'Duplicate' or press Ctrl + D. This will create an instance of the master component.

Editing Instances

Instances are linked to their master components, which means any changes made to the master will be reflected in all its instances. However, you can also override certain properties of an instance without affecting other instances or the master itself.

To edit an instance, simply select it on the canvas and make your desired changes. These changes will only apply to that particular instance and will not affect other instances or the master component. You can change properties like size, position, color, text content, etc.

Detaching Instances

If you want to disconnect an instance from its master component and make it independent, you can detach it. Detaching an instance breaks its link with the master and converts it into a regular element.

To detach an instance, select it on the canvas and click on the 'Detach from Master Component' button in the toolbar or right-click on the instance and choose 'Detach Instance'. Once detached, any changes made to the master component will no longer affect the detached instance.

Benefits of Using Instances

Instances offer several benefits that can greatly enhance your design workflow:

• Consistency: By using instances, you can ensure consistency throughout your design. Any changes made to a master component will be instantly applied to all its instances, maintaining a unified look and feel.
• Ease of Editing: Instances make it easy to edit multiple elements at once. Instead of manually updating each instance, you can simply modify the master component, saving you time and effort.
• Efficient Iteration: If you need to make iterative changes or variations of a design element, instances allow you to update them in one place while keeping their unique properties intact.

In conclusion, instances in Figma are a powerful feature that enables efficient reuse and editing of design elements. By using master components and instances effectively, you can streamline your design process, maintain consistency, and save valuable time.