Applying and detaching styles in Figma - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does it mean to apply a style in Figma?

Applying a style means attaching a predefined set of design properties (like color, text, or effects) to an object so it follows that style automatically.

beginner

How do you detach a style from an object in Figma?

You detach a style by selecting the object and clicking 'Detach Style' in the properties panel, which breaks the link to the style and lets you edit the object independently.

intermediate

Why would you want to detach a style from an object?

Detaching a style lets you customize the object without affecting the original style or other objects using it, useful for unique changes.

beginner

What happens to an object when you update a shared style it uses?

All objects using that shared style update automatically to reflect the new style changes, keeping design consistent.

intermediate

Can you re-apply a style after detaching it? How?

Yes, you can select the object and apply the style again from the styles panel to re-link it to the shared style.

What is the main benefit of applying a shared style in Figma?

A It keeps design consistent across multiple objects

B It locks the object so it cannot be edited

C It deletes the original style

D It converts the object to a vector

Applying a shared style ensures all objects using it stay consistent when the style is updated.

How do you detach a style from an object in Figma?

A Right-click and select 'Detach Style'

B Double-click the object

C Delete the style from the styles panel

D Click 'Detach Style' in the properties panel

Detaching a style is done by selecting the object and clicking 'Detach Style' in the properties panel.

What happens if you update a shared style used by many objects?

A Only the first object updates

B The style is deleted

C All objects using the style update automatically

D Objects lose their styles

Updating a shared style updates all objects linked to it, keeping design consistent.

Why might you detach a style from an object?

A To prevent the object from being edited

B To customize the object independently

C To delete the object

D To apply multiple styles at once

Detaching a style allows you to edit the object without affecting the shared style or other objects.

Can you re-apply a style after detaching it?

A Yes, by selecting the style again from the styles panel

B No, once detached it cannot be re-applied

C Only if you restart Figma

D Only if you duplicate the object

You can re-apply a style anytime by selecting it again from the styles panel.

Explain in your own words what applying and detaching styles means in Figma and why each is useful.

Think about how styles help keep things uniform or let you make exceptions.

Describe a real-life situation where you would want to detach a style from an object in your design.

Imagine you have a button style but one button needs a special look.