Grid styles in Figma - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a grid style in Figma?

A grid style in Figma is a reusable layout guide that helps align and organize design elements consistently across frames and projects.

beginner

Name the three main types of grids available in Figma.

The three main types of grids in Figma are:
1. Grid (square grid)
2. Columns
3. Rows

intermediate

How do grid styles improve collaboration in BI dashboard design?

Grid styles ensure consistent alignment and spacing, making dashboards easier to read and maintain. They help teams work together by using the same layout rules.

beginner

What is the benefit of using column grids in dashboard design?

Column grids help divide the dashboard into vertical sections, making it easier to organize charts, tables, and filters in a clean and balanced way.

intermediate

Explain how to create and apply a grid style in Figma.

To create a grid style:
1. Select a frame.
2. Add a grid (square, columns, or rows).
3. Customize size, count, and gutter.
4. Click the four dots icon to save as a grid style.
To apply, select another frame and choose the saved grid style from the styles panel.

Which grid type in Figma divides a frame into equal vertical sections?

A None of the above

B Rows

C Columns

D Square Grid

Columns split the frame vertically into equal parts, useful for organizing vertical layout.

What is the main purpose of using grid styles in BI dashboards?

A To add colors to charts

B To create animations

C To increase file size

D To align and organize elements consistently

Grid styles help keep elements aligned and organized, improving readability and consistency.

How can you reuse a grid style in Figma?

A By copying and pasting the frame

B By saving the grid as a style and applying it to other frames

C By exporting the grid as an image

D By duplicating the file

Saving a grid as a style allows you to apply the same layout guide to multiple frames easily.

Which of these is NOT a grid type in Figma?

A Hexagonal

B Columns

C Rows

D Grid (square)

Figma does not have a hexagonal grid type; it supports rows, columns, and square grids.

What does the gutter setting control in a column grid?

A The space between columns

B The color of the columns

C The number of columns

D The height of the columns

The gutter is the space between columns, helping separate content visually.

Describe how grid styles help improve the design of BI dashboards.

Think about how grids guide where elements go and how they look together.

Explain the steps to create and apply a grid style in Figma.

Focus on the process from adding a grid to reusing it.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using Grid styles in Figma when designing dashboards?

easy

A. To organize visuals into columns, rows, or grids for neat layouts

B. To add animations to dashboard elements

C. To change the color scheme of the dashboard

D. To create interactive buttons

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what grid styles do

   Grid styles help arrange elements in columns, rows, or grids to keep the design organized.

2. Step 2: Identify the main purpose in dashboard design

   They ensure visuals are balanced and easy to read by controlling spacing and alignment.

3. Final Answer:

   To organize visuals into columns, rows, or grids for neat layouts -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Grid styles = organize visuals neatly [OK]

Hint: Grid styles arrange elements neatly in rows and columns [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing grid styles with color or animation features
• Thinking grid styles add interactivity
• Assuming grid styles change fonts or colors

2. Which of the following is the correct way to apply a grid style in Figma?

easy

A. Select the frame, then click '+' next to Layout Grid and choose a grid style

B. Right-click the frame and select 'Add Color Style'

C. Drag and drop a grid from the assets panel onto the canvas

D. Use the text tool to type 'grid' inside the frame

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall how to add grid styles in Figma

   You add grid styles by selecting a frame and clicking the '+' button next to Layout Grid in the properties panel.

2. Step 2: Identify the correct method from options

   Select the frame, then click '+' next to Layout Grid and choose a grid style correctly describes this process; others describe unrelated actions.

3. Final Answer:

   Select the frame, then click '+' next to Layout Grid and choose a grid style -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Adding grid = '+' next to Layout Grid [OK]

Hint: Add grid via '+' next to Layout Grid in frame properties [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing grid styles with color or text tools
• Trying to drag grids from assets panel (not possible)
• Using right-click menu for grid styles

3. Given a frame with a 12-column grid style applied with 20px gutters and 40px margins, what happens if you increase the gutter size to 40px?

medium

A. Margins increase but columns stay the same width

B. Columns become narrower, and spacing between columns increases

C. Columns become wider, and spacing between columns decreases

D. Grid disappears from the frame

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand gutter effect on columns

   Increasing gutter size means more space between columns, so columns get narrower to fit the frame width.

2. Step 2: Analyze the impact on margins and grid visibility

   Margins stay the same unless changed; grid does not disappear when gutter changes.

3. Final Answer:

   Columns become narrower, and spacing between columns increases -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Increase gutter = wider gaps, narrower columns [OK]

Hint: Bigger gutters = wider gaps, narrower columns [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming columns get wider with bigger gutters
• Thinking margins change automatically
• Believing grid disappears when gutters change

4. You applied a grid style to a frame, but the grid lines are not visible. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The frame has no fill color

B. The grid style is applied to a different frame

C. The frame is locked

D. Grid opacity is set to 0%

Solution

1. Step 1: Check grid visibility settings

   If grid lines are invisible, opacity might be set to 0%, making them fully transparent.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

   No fill color or locked frame does not hide grid lines; applying grid to another frame means no grid on current frame but less likely if user expects it here.

3. Final Answer:

   Grid opacity is set to 0% -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Invisible grid = opacity 0% [OK]

Hint: Check grid opacity if grid lines are invisible [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking frame fill affects grid visibility
• Assuming locked frame hides grids
• Not verifying grid applied to correct frame

5. You want to design a dashboard with a balanced layout using grid styles. Which combination of grid settings best helps achieve consistent spacing and alignment across different screen sizes?

hard

A. Use a grid with rows only and no columns

B. Use a 6-column grid with no gutters and fixed 100px margins

C. Use a 12-column grid with fixed 24px gutters and 48px margins, and enable 'Stretch' for columns

D. Use a 12-column grid with variable gutters and zero margins

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify grid settings for balanced layout

   A 12-column grid is standard for dashboards, allowing flexible content placement. Fixed gutters and margins keep spacing consistent.

2. Step 2: Understand 'Stretch' for responsiveness

   Enabling 'Stretch' lets columns adjust width on different screen sizes, maintaining alignment and balance.

3. Final Answer:

   Use a 12-column grid with fixed 24px gutters and 48px margins, and enable 'Stretch' for columns -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   12 columns + fixed gutters + stretch = balanced responsive layout [OK]

Hint: Use 12 columns, fixed gutters, margins, and stretch for balance [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using no gutters causes cramped layout
• Zero margins make content touch edges
• Ignoring responsiveness by not stretching columns