Overriding instance properties in Figma - Dashboard Guide

Dashboard Mode - Overriding instance properties

Dashboard Goal

This dashboard helps designers understand how overriding instance properties in Figma components affects design consistency and customization.

Sample Data: Component Instances

Instance ID	Component Name	Property Overridden	Original Value	Overridden Value	Override Type
1	Button	Text	Submit	Send	Text Override
2	Button	Color	#007AFF	#FF3B30	Color Override
3	Card	Shadow	None	Drop Shadow	Effect Override
4	Card	Text	Title	Welcome	Text Override
5	Icon	Size	24px	32px	Size Override
6	Icon	Color	#000000	#4CD964	Color Override

Dashboard Components

• KPI Card: Total Instances = 6 (Count of all instances)
• KPI Card: Overrides by Type = Text: 2, Color: 2, Effect: 1, Size: 1 (Count grouped by Override Type)
• Bar Chart: Overrides by Component Name showing number of overrides per component (Button: 2, Card: 2, Icon: 2)
• Table: Detailed list of instances with overridden properties (from sample data)

Dashboard Layout

+----------------------+------------------------+
| Total Instances (KPI) | Overrides by Type (KPI) |
+----------------------+------------------------+
|        Bar Chart: Overrides by Component Name        |
+-----------------------------------------------------+
|                 Detailed Overrides Table             |
+-----------------------------------------------------+

Interactivity

Filter by Component Name: Selecting a component (e.g., Button) updates the Bar Chart, KPI cards, and the Detailed Table to show only overrides related to that component.

Filter by Override Type: Selecting an override type (e.g., Color Override) updates all components to reflect only instances with that override type.

Self Check

If you add a filter for Component Name = Card, which components update and what do they show?

• KPI Cards: Total Instances updates to 2; Overrides by Type updates to Text:1, Effect:1
• Bar Chart: Shows only the Card component with 2 overrides
• Detailed Table: Shows only rows with Component Name 'Card'

Key Result

Dashboard showing how instance property overrides distribute across Figma components and override types.

Practice

1. What does overriding instance properties in Figma allow you to do?

easy

A. Create a new component from scratch

B. Customize parts of an instance without changing the original component

C. Delete the original component permanently

D. Lock the instance to prevent changes

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand instance and component relationship

   An instance is a copy of a component that inherits its properties.

2. Step 2: Recognize what overriding means

   Overriding lets you change specific properties of an instance without affecting the original component.

3. Final Answer:

   Customize parts of an instance without changing the original component -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Overriding = Customize instance only [OK]

Hint: Remember: override changes instance, not original [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking overriding deletes the original component
• Confusing overriding with creating new components
• Believing overriding locks the instance

2. Which of the following is the correct way to override the text property of an instance in Figma?

easy

A. Double-click the instance and edit the text directly

B. Edit the original component's text

C. Right-click and select 'Detach Instance'

D. Use the 'Lock' option on the instance

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify how to edit instance text

   Double-clicking an instance allows direct editing of its text property.

2. Step 2: Understand difference from editing component

   Editing the original component changes all instances, not just one.

3. Final Answer:

   Double-click the instance and edit the text directly -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Edit instance text = Double-click instance [OK]

Hint: Double-click instance to change text quickly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Editing the original component instead of the instance
• Detaching instance unnecessarily
• Locking instance instead of editing

3. Given a component with a blue rectangle and text 'Hello', if you override the rectangle color to red in an instance, what will happen when you update the original component's rectangle color to green?

medium

A. The instance rectangle changes to green, text changes to original component's text

B. The instance rectangle changes to green, text changes to 'Hello'

C. The instance rectangle stays red, text remains 'Hello'

D. The instance rectangle stays red, text changes to original component's text

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand property overriding behavior

   Overridden properties in an instance stay as set, ignoring component updates for those properties.

2. Step 2: Apply to rectangle color and text

   Rectangle color overridden to red stays red; text not overridden remains synced with component ('Hello').

3. Final Answer:

   The instance rectangle stays red, text remains 'Hello' -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Overridden color stays, non-overridden text syncs [OK]

Hint: Overridden properties ignore component updates [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming all instance properties update with component
• Thinking overridden text changes automatically
• Confusing overridden and non-overridden properties

4. You tried to override the fill color of an instance, but the color did not change. What is the most likely reason?

medium

A. The fill color is locked in the original component

B. You edited the original component instead of the instance

C. The instance is detached from the component

D. You did not select the fill property in the instance

Solution

1. Step 1: Check if fill color can be overridden

   Some properties like fill color can be locked in the component, preventing overrides.

2. Step 2: Understand why color didn't change

   If locked, changing fill on instance has no effect; you must unlock in component.

3. Final Answer:

   The fill color is locked in the original component -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Locked property blocks override [OK]

Hint: Check if property is locked before overriding [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Editing original component instead of instance
• Assuming detaching fixes override issues
• Forgetting to select the correct property

5. You have a button component with text and background color. You want to create an instance with a different text and a different icon image, but keep the background color linked to the component. How should you override the instance properties?

hard

A. Override all properties including background color to new values

B. Create a new component for the different text and icon

C. Detach the instance and edit all properties freely

D. Override the text and icon image properties only, leave background color unchanged

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify which properties to override

   To keep background color linked, do not override it; override only text and icon image.

2. Step 2: Understand impact of overriding background color

   Overriding background color breaks link to component updates; avoid if you want consistency.

3. Final Answer:

   Override the text and icon image properties only, leave background color unchanged -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Override selective properties to keep component link [OK]

Hint: Override only what changes, keep others linked [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Overriding background color unnecessarily
• Detaching instance losing component benefits
• Creating new component instead of overriding