Absolute positioning within Auto Layout in Figma - Cell-by-Cell Formula Trace

Sample Data

This data represents a Figma frame using Auto Layout with two child elements: one positioned normally (relative) and one positioned absolutely with specific X and Y offsets.

Cell	Value
A1	Frame with Auto Layout
A2	Child 1 (Auto Layout)
A3	Child 2 (Absolute Position)
B2	Width:100
B3	Width:100
C2	Position: Relative
C3	Position: Absolute
D3	X:50
E3	Y:20

Formula Trace

Position of Child 2 = Absolute positioning overrides Auto Layout positioning

Step 1: Auto Layout calculates Child 1 position

Step 2: Auto Layout calculates Child 2 position

Step 3: Apply absolute positioning overrides for Child 2

Step 4: Final layout

Cell Reference Map

  A           B           C           D           E
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Frame     |           |           |           |           |
| with Auto |           |           |           |           |
| Layout    |           |           |           |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Child 1   | Width:100 | Position: |           |           |
| (Auto     |           | Relative  |           |           |
| Layout)   |           |           |           |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Child 2   | Width:100 | Position: | X:50      | Y:20      |
| (Absolute |           | Absolute  |           |           |
| Position) |           |           |           |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+

Cells B2 and C2 show Child 1's width and relative position. Cells B3, C3, D3, and E3 show Child 2's width and absolute position with X and Y offsets.

Result

Frame (Auto Layout)
+-------------------------------------+
| Child 1 (Relative) at (0,0)         |
| +-----------------+                 |
| | Width: 100      |                 |
| +-----------------+                 |
|                                     |
| Child 2 (Absolute) at (50,20)       |
| +-----------------+                 |
| | Width: 100      |                 |
| +-----------------+                 |
+-------------------------------------+

The frame shows Child 1 positioned normally at the top-left corner. Child 2 is positioned absolutely inside the frame at coordinates X=50, Y=20, overlapping the Auto Layout flow.

Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

Where is Child 1 positioned inside the Auto Layout frame?

A At coordinates (0,0) following Auto Layout flow

B At coordinates (50,20) with absolute positioning

C Outside the frame

D At coordinates (100,0) ignoring Auto Layout

Key Result

Absolute positioning overrides Auto Layout flow and places elements at specified X,Y coordinates inside the frame.