Component instances in Figma - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Component instances let you reuse a design element many times without copying it. When you change the main component, all instances update automatically. This saves time and keeps your design consistent.

When you want to use the same button style on many pages but keep them linked

When you need to update a logo across multiple screens quickly

When creating repeated elements like icons or cards that share the same look

When you want to try different text or colors on a shared design without changing the original

When collaborating with a team to keep design elements uniform

Steps

Step 1: Open the Assets panel

- Left sidebar in Figma

You see a list of components available in your file

💡 If you don’t see Assets, click the left sidebar toggle

Step 2: Drag a component from the Assets panel onto the canvas

- Assets panel

An instance of the component appears on the canvas

Step 3: Select the instance on the canvas

- Canvas area

The right sidebar shows Instance properties

💡 You can override text or colors here without breaking the link to the main component

Step 4: Edit the main component

- Select the main component in the Assets panel or on the canvas and enter Edit mode

All instances update automatically with your changes

Step 5: Right-click the instance and choose Detach instance

- Instance on the canvas

The instance becomes a regular group of layers, no longer linked to the main component

Before vs After

Before

Canvas has no repeated elements; each button is separate and must be edited individually

After

Canvas has multiple instances of the same button component; editing the main button updates all instances

Settings Reference

Instance overrides

📍 Right sidebar when an instance is selected

Allows customizing each instance without changing the main component

Default: No overrides

Detach instance

📍 Right-click menu on an instance

Breaks the link to the main component to edit freely

Default: Linked instance

Swap instance

📍 Right sidebar under Instance section

Change the component used by the instance without deleting it

Default: Current component

Common Mistakes

Editing an instance directly expecting all instances to update

Changes to an instance only affect that instance, not the main component or others

Edit the main component to update all instances at once

Detaching instances too early

Detaching breaks the link and loses automatic updates

Only detach when you need to make unique changes that should not update globally

Summary

Component instances let you reuse and update design elements easily across your file

You can customize each instance without changing the main component using overrides

Editing the main component updates all linked instances automatically