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Grid and column layout in Figma - Dashboard Guide

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Dashboard Mode - Grid and column layout
Dashboard Goal

Help users understand sales performance by region and product category using a clear grid and column layout.

Sample Data
RegionProduct CategorySalesProfit
NorthElectronics1000200
SouthElectronics1500300
EastFurniture1200250
WestFurniture1300270
NorthClothing900150
SouthClothing1100180
EastElectronics1400320
WestClothing1000160
Dashboard Components
  • KPI Card: Total Sales
    Formula: SUM(Sales) = 9400
    Shows total sales across all regions and categories.
  • KPI Card: Total Profit
    Formula: SUM(Profit) = 1830
    Shows total profit across all regions and categories.
  • Bar Chart: Sales by Region
    Formula: SUM(Sales) grouped by Region
    North: 1900, South: 2600, East: 2600, West: 2300
    Shows sales comparison by region.
  • Column Chart: Sales by Product Category
    Formula: SUM(Sales) grouped by Product Category
    Electronics: 3900, Furniture: 2500, Clothing: 3000
    Shows sales comparison by product category.
  • Table: Detailed Sales Data
    Shows all rows from sample data for detailed view.
Dashboard Layout
+----------------------+----------------------+
|   Total Sales (KPI)  |   Total Profit (KPI) |
+----------------------+----------------------+
|                      Bar Chart: Sales by Region                      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                Column Chart: Sales by Product Category               |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                          Detailed Sales Table                       |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
Interactivity

Adding a filter for Region updates the Bar Chart, Column Chart, KPI Cards, and the Detailed Sales Table to show data only for the selected region(s). Similarly, filtering by Product Category updates all components to reflect the selected category.

Self Check

If you add a filter for Region = South, which components update and what is the new total sales?

  • All components update: KPI Cards, Bar Chart, Column Chart, and Table.
  • New Total Sales = 1500 (Electronics) + 1100 (Clothing) = 2600
Key Result
A sales dashboard using grid and column layout showing total sales, profit, and sales breakdown by region and product category.

Practice

(1/5)
1. What is the main purpose of using a grid or column layout in a Figma dashboard design?
easy
A. To make the dashboard load faster
B. To add random colors to the dashboard
C. To organize content clearly and keep alignment consistent
D. To remove all text from the dashboard

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand grid and column layout purpose

    Grids and columns help arrange elements neatly and keep alignment consistent.

  2. Step 2: Eliminate unrelated options

    Adding colors, speeding load, or removing text do not relate to layout structure.

  3. Final Answer:

    To organize content clearly and keep alignment consistent -> Option C

  4. Quick Check:

    Grid layout = clear organization [OK]
Hint: Think about how to keep things neat and aligned [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Confusing layout with color or speed
  • Ignoring alignment importance
  • Thinking layout removes content
2. Which of the following is the correct way to add a 12-column layout grid in Figma?
easy
A. Set Layout Grid > Columns > Count: 12 > Type: Columns
B. Set Layout Grid > Rows > Count: 12 > Type: Rows
C. Set Layout Grid > Columns > Count: 6 > Type: Rows
D. Set Layout Grid > Rows > Count: 6 > Type: Columns

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify correct grid settings for columns

    To create columns, choose Columns type and set count to 12.

  2. Step 2: Check other options for errors

    Rows type or wrong counts do not create a 12-column layout.

  3. Final Answer:

    Set Layout Grid > Columns > Count: 12 > Type: Columns -> Option A

  4. Quick Check:

    Columns count 12 = Set Layout Grid > Columns > Count: 12 > Type: Columns [OK]
Hint: Columns need 'Columns' type, not Rows [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Choosing Rows instead of Columns
  • Setting wrong count number
  • Mixing Rows type with column count
3. Given a Figma frame with a 4-column layout grid, if each column is 100px wide with 20px gutter, what is the total width covered by the columns and gutters?
medium
A. 480px
B. 420px
C. 440px
D. 460px

Solution

  1. Step 1: Calculate total column width

    4 columns x 100px = 400px total column width.

  2. Step 2: Calculate total gutter width

    There are 3 gutters between 4 columns, 3 x 20px = 60px.

  3. Step 3: Add columns and gutters

    400px + 60px = 460px total width covered.

  4. Final Answer:

    460px -> Option D

  5. Quick Check:

    4x100 + 3x20 = 460px [OK]
Hint: Gutters are one less than columns count [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Counting gutters equal to columns
  • Forgetting to add gutters
  • Multiplying gutters by columns
4. You set a 3-column layout grid in Figma but the columns overlap each other. What is the most likely cause?
medium
A. The gutter width is set to zero or too small
B. The column count is set to 1 instead of 3
C. The layout grid is set to Rows instead of Columns
D. The frame width is too large

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand column overlap cause

    If gutters are zero or very small, columns will touch or overlap.

  2. Step 2: Check other options for relevance

    Wrong column count or grid type causes different issues, not overlap. Large frame width won't cause overlap.

  3. Final Answer:

    The gutter width is set to zero or too small -> Option A

  4. Quick Check:

    Small gutter = overlap [OK]
Hint: Check gutter size if columns overlap [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Ignoring gutter size
  • Confusing column count with gutter
  • Blaming frame size for overlap
5. You want to design a dashboard in Figma with a 12-column grid where each column is 58px wide and gutters are 24px. If the frame width is 1200px, what should be the left and right margins to center the grid perfectly?
hard
A. No margins needed
B. 120px margins on each side
C. 72px margins on each side
D. 96px margins on each side

Solution

  1. Step 1: Calculate total column width

    12 columns x 58px = 696px.

  2. Step 2: Calculate total gutter width

    11 gutters x 24px = 264px.

  3. Step 3: Total grid width

    696px + 264px = 960px.

  4. Step 4: Calculate margins to center

    (1200px - 960px) / 2 = 120px on each side.

  5. Final Answer:

    120px margins on each side -> Option B

  6. Quick Check:

    12x58 + 11x24 = 960px; (1200-960)/2 = 120px [OK]
Hint: Margin = (Frame width - Grid width) ÷ 2 [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Ignoring gutters in total width
  • Using wrong gutter count
  • Forgetting to divide margin by 2