Overflow scrolling in Figma - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Overflow scrolling lets you scroll inside a frame when its content is bigger than the frame size. This helps show more data or visuals without making the whole page longer.

When your dashboard has a long list of sales records inside a small panel.

When you want to show a detailed table but keep the main report compact.

When you have a map or chart that is larger than the visible area but want users to scroll inside it.

When you want to keep filters or legends visible but scroll the data area separately.

When you want to create a scrollable menu or list inside a report page.

Steps

Step 1: Select the frame that contains the content you want to scroll

- Layers panel or canvas

The frame is highlighted and its properties appear in the right sidebar

Step 2: Go to the right sidebar and find the 'Overflow behavior' section

- Design panel in the right sidebar

You see options for horizontal and vertical scrolling

Step 3: Click the dropdown for vertical overflow and select 'Vertical scrolling'

- 'Overflow behavior' section in the right sidebar

The frame now allows vertical scrolling when content is taller than the frame

Step 4: Optionally, set horizontal overflow to 'Horizontal scrolling' or 'No scrolling' as needed

- 'Overflow behavior' section in the right sidebar

The frame scrolls horizontally if content is wider and option is set

Step 5: Preview the frame by clicking the Present button

- Top-right corner toolbar

You can scroll inside the frame to see all content without the whole page scrolling

Before vs After

Before

Frame shows only the top 200 pixels of a 600-pixel tall table, with no way to see the rest

After

Frame shows a vertical scrollbar; user can scroll down to see all 600 pixels of the table inside the same frame size

Settings Reference

Vertical overflow

📍 Right sidebar > Design panel > Overflow behavior

Controls if the frame scrolls vertically when content is taller than the frame

Default: No scrolling

Horizontal overflow

📍 Right sidebar > Design panel > Overflow behavior

Controls if the frame scrolls horizontally when content is wider than the frame

Default: No scrolling

Common Mistakes

Setting overflow scrolling on a group instead of a frame

Groups do not support overflow scrolling in Figma, so scrolling won't work

Convert the group to a frame by right-clicking and selecting 'Frame selection' before setting overflow scrolling

Not resizing the frame smaller than the content

If the frame is larger or equal to the content size, no scrolling appears

Make sure the frame size is smaller than the content size to enable scrolling

Summary

Overflow scrolling lets you scroll inside frames when content is bigger than the frame size.

Set vertical or horizontal scrolling in the Design panel's Overflow behavior section.

Only frames support overflow scrolling, not groups or other layers.

Practice

1. What does overflow scrolling in Figma help you do in a dashboard design?

easy

A. Show more content inside a fixed-size frame by enabling scrolling

B. Automatically resize frames to fit all content without scrolling

C. Hide content that does not fit inside the frame permanently

D. Change the color of the scroll bar in the frame

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand overflow scrolling purpose

   Overflow scrolling allows content inside a fixed frame to be scrollable instead of hidden or resized.

2. Step 2: Apply to dashboard design

   This helps show more data or visuals in limited space without cluttering the screen.

3. Final Answer:

   Show more content inside a fixed-size frame by enabling scrolling -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Overflow scrolling = Show more content with scroll [OK]

Hint: Overflow scrolling means scroll inside fixed frames [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking overflow scrolling resizes frames automatically
• Assuming overflow hides content permanently
• Confusing overflow scrolling with style changes

2. Which of the following is the correct way to enable vertical overflow scrolling in a Figma frame?

easy

A. Set frame width fixed and choose 'Horizontal scrolling' in the Properties panel

B. Set frame height fixed and choose 'Vertical scrolling' in the Properties panel

C. Set frame to 'Auto Layout' and disable scrolling

D. Resize frame to fit all content without scrolling

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify vertical scrolling setup

   Vertical scrolling requires fixed height so content can scroll up/down inside the frame.

2. Step 2: Choose correct scroll direction

   In Properties panel, selecting 'Vertical scrolling' enables scroll inside fixed height frame.

3. Final Answer:

   Set frame height fixed and choose 'Vertical scrolling' in the Properties panel -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Vertical scroll = fixed height + vertical scroll setting [OK]

Hint: Fixed height + vertical scroll = vertical overflow scrolling [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing horizontal scrolling for vertical scroll needs
• Not fixing frame height before enabling scroll
• Confusing auto layout with scrolling settings

3. Given a frame with fixed width 300px and height 200px containing a list of 10 items each 50px tall, what happens if you set overflow scrolling to vertical?

medium

A. The frame shows only 4 items and allows vertical scrolling to see the rest

B. The frame cuts off items beyond 200px height with no scroll

C. The frame shows all 10 items without scrolling

D. The frame automatically expands height to fit all items

Solution

1. Step 1: Calculate visible items in fixed height

   Frame height is 200px; each item is 50px tall, so 200/50 = 4 items visible at once.

2. Step 2: Effect of vertical overflow scrolling

   With vertical scrolling enabled, user can scroll to see remaining 6 items beyond visible 4.

3. Final Answer:

   The frame shows only 4 items and allows vertical scrolling to see the rest -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Fixed height + vertical scroll = partial view + scroll [OK]

Hint: Visible items = frame height ÷ item height with scroll [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming all items show without scroll
• Thinking frame auto expands height
• Ignoring scroll setting effect

4. You set a frame with fixed width and height and enable horizontal scrolling, but the content does not scroll. What is the most likely reason?

medium

A. Vertical scrolling is enabled instead of horizontal

B. Frame height is not fixed

C. Content width is less than or equal to frame width

D. Frame is set to auto layout

Solution

1. Step 1: Check content size vs frame size

   For horizontal scrolling to work, content width must exceed frame width to enable scroll.

2. Step 2: Identify why no scroll appears

   If content width is less or equal to frame width, no scroll is needed or shown.

3. Final Answer:

   Content width is less than or equal to frame width -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Scroll needs content larger than frame [OK]

Hint: Scroll appears only if content size > frame size [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming scroll works regardless of content size
• Confusing vertical and horizontal scroll settings
• Ignoring fixed size requirement

5. You want to design a BI dashboard in Figma with multiple charts stacked vertically inside a fixed-height frame. How should you configure overflow scrolling to keep the dashboard clean and easy to navigate?

hard

A. Resize frame height dynamically to fit all charts without scrolling

B. Set fixed frame width and enable horizontal scrolling to scroll charts sideways

C. Use auto layout with no scrolling to show all charts at once

D. Set fixed frame height and enable vertical scrolling so users scroll through charts

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand dashboard layout needs

   Charts stacked vertically require vertical space; fixed height frame limits visible area.

2. Step 2: Choose scrolling to maintain clean design

   Enabling vertical scrolling lets users scroll through charts without cluttering the dashboard.

3. Step 3: Avoid horizontal scrolling or auto layout for vertical stacks

   Horizontal scroll or auto layout without scroll can cause poor navigation or overflow issues.

4. Final Answer:

   Set fixed frame height and enable vertical scrolling so users scroll through charts -> Option D

5. Quick Check:

   Vertical stack + fixed height + vertical scroll = clean dashboard [OK]

Hint: Vertical stack needs vertical scroll in fixed height frame [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using horizontal scroll for vertical stacks
• Not fixing frame height before scrolling
• Trying to show all charts without scroll causing clutter