Adding Auto Layout to frames in Figma - Dashboard Guide

Dashboard Mode - Adding Auto Layout to frames

Goal

Understand how to use Auto Layout in Figma frames to create responsive dashboard components that adjust automatically when content or screen size changes.

Sample Data

Region	Sales Q1	Sales Q2	Sales Q3	Sales Q4
North	100	150	130	170
South	90	120	110	140
East	80	100	90	130
West	70	110	100	120
Central	60	90	80	110

Dashboard Components

• KPI Card: Total Sales
  Formula: Sum of all sales across all regions and quarters = 100+150+130+170+90+120+110+140+80+100+90+130+70+110+100+120+60+90+80+110 = 2150
• Bar Chart: Sales by Region for Q4
  Shows sales values for each region in Q4 from the sample data.
• Table: Sales Data Table
  Displays the raw sales data for all regions and quarters as shown in the sample data.
• Auto Layout Frame: The KPI card and Bar Chart are placed inside a vertical Auto Layout frame with spacing 20px and padding 16px. This frame automatically adjusts spacing and alignment when resized.
• Outer Auto Layout Frame: Contains the vertical frame (KPI + Bar Chart) and the Sales Data Table side by side with horizontal Auto Layout, spacing 24px, and padding 24px. This frame ensures the dashboard components adjust horizontally on screen resize.

Dashboard Layout

+----------------------------------------------------+
| +----------------------+  +---------------------+ |
| |      KPI Card        |  |   Sales Data Table   | |
| |  Total Sales: 2150   |  |  Region | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | |
| |                      |  |  North  |100 |150 |130 |170 | |
| +----------------------+  |  South  | 90 |120 |110 |140 | |
| +----------------------+  |  East   | 80 |100 | 90 |130 | |
| |     Bar Chart        |  |  West   | 70 |110 |100 |120 | |
| |  Sales by Region Q4  |  | Central | 60 | 90 | 80 |110 | |
| +----------------------+  +---------------------+ |
+----------------------------------------------------+

Interactivity

Adding a filter for Region will update the Bar Chart and Sales Data Table to show only the selected region's data. The KPI Card will update total sales to reflect the filtered data. The Auto Layout frames will automatically adjust their size and spacing to fit the filtered content.

Self Check

If you add a filter for Region = East, which components update?

• The KPI Card updates to show total sales for East region only (80+100+90+130 = 400).
• The Bar Chart updates to show only East region sales for Q4 (130).
• The Sales Data Table updates to show only the East region row.
• The Auto Layout frames adjust their size and spacing to fit the filtered components.

Key Result

A responsive sales dashboard using Figma Auto Layout frames showing total sales, sales by region chart, and detailed sales data table.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of adding Auto Layout to frames in Figma?

easy

A. To change the color of all items inside a frame

B. To automatically arrange and space items inside a frame

C. To convert frames into images

D. To lock the position of items inside a frame

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Auto Layout function

   Auto Layout arranges items automatically inside frames, managing spacing and alignment.

2. Step 2: Compare options

   Only To automatically arrange and space items inside a frame describes automatic arrangement and spacing, which matches Auto Layout's purpose.

3. Final Answer:

   To automatically arrange and space items inside a frame -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Auto Layout = automatic arrangement [OK]

Hint: Auto Layout means automatic arrangement inside frames [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Auto Layout with color or image changes
• Thinking Auto Layout locks items instead of arranging them

2. Which of the following is the correct way to add Auto Layout to a frame in Figma?

easy

A. Right-click the frame and select 'Add Auto Layout'

B. Double-click the frame and press Ctrl+C

C. Select the frame and press Delete

D. Drag the frame outside the canvas

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify how to add Auto Layout

   In Figma, you add Auto Layout by right-clicking a frame and choosing 'Add Auto Layout'.

2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect options

   Copying, deleting, or dragging frames does not add Auto Layout.

3. Final Answer:

   Right-click the frame and select 'Add Auto Layout' -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Add Auto Layout = right-click + select option [OK]

Hint: Right-click frame, choose 'Add Auto Layout' to apply [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to add Auto Layout by copying or deleting
• Assuming double-click adds Auto Layout

3. Given a frame with three buttons arranged horizontally without Auto Layout, what happens after you add Auto Layout with horizontal direction and 10px spacing?

medium

A. Buttons stay in place but spacing changes to 10px automatically

B. Buttons stack vertically with 10px spacing

C. Buttons overlap each other

D. Buttons disappear from the frame

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Auto Layout horizontal direction

   Adding Auto Layout with horizontal direction arranges items side by side with specified spacing.

2. Step 2: Apply 10px spacing effect

   The buttons remain horizontal but spacing between them becomes 10px automatically.

3. Final Answer:

   Buttons stay in place but spacing changes to 10px automatically -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Horizontal Auto Layout = horizontal arrangement + spacing [OK]

Hint: Horizontal Auto Layout arranges items side by side with spacing [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking buttons stack vertically instead of horizontally
• Assuming buttons overlap or disappear

4. You added Auto Layout to a frame but the items inside do not space evenly. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The items are grouped, not inside the frame

B. The frame is locked

C. Auto Layout was added twice

D. The spacing value is set to zero or too small

Solution

1. Step 1: Check spacing settings in Auto Layout

   If spacing is zero or very small, items will appear too close or unevenly spaced.

2. Step 2: Consider other options

   Locking frames or grouping items does not affect Auto Layout spacing directly; adding Auto Layout twice is not possible.

3. Final Answer:

   The spacing value is set to zero or too small -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Spacing controls item gaps in Auto Layout [OK]

Hint: Check spacing value if items are too close [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing frame lock with spacing issues
• Thinking grouping breaks Auto Layout spacing
• Assuming Auto Layout can be added twice

5. You want a vertical list of menu items inside a frame that automatically adjusts spacing and resizes when items are added or removed. Which Auto Layout settings should you use?

hard

A. Horizontal direction with fixed spacing and frame resizing set to 'Fixed size'

B. Vertical direction with zero spacing and frame resizing set to 'Fixed size'

C. Vertical direction with fixed spacing and frame resizing set to 'Hug contents'

D. Horizontal direction with zero spacing and frame resizing set to 'Hug contents'

Solution

1. Step 1: Choose vertical direction for list

   A vertical list requires Auto Layout direction set to vertical to stack items top to bottom.

2. Step 2: Set spacing and resizing

   Fixed spacing keeps consistent gaps; 'Hug contents' resizing lets frame adjust size as items change.

3. Final Answer:

   Vertical direction with fixed spacing and frame resizing set to 'Hug contents' -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Vertical + fixed spacing + hug contents = dynamic vertical list [OK]

Hint: Use vertical + fixed spacing + hug contents for dynamic lists [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing horizontal direction for vertical lists
• Using zero spacing causing items to touch
• Setting frame resizing to fixed size prevents auto resizing