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.