Overriding instance properties in Figma - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does it mean to override instance properties in Figma?

Overriding instance properties means changing specific parts of a component instance without affecting the original component. It lets you customize instances while keeping the main design consistent.

beginner

Can you override text and colors in a Figma component instance?

Yes, you can override text content and colors in a component instance. This allows you to reuse the same design but show different text or colors in each instance.

intermediate

What happens if you change the main component after overriding instance properties?

Changes to the main component will update all instances, but any overridden properties in instances will stay as customized. This keeps your custom changes safe while updating the base design.

intermediate

How do you reset an overridden property in a Figma instance?

You can reset an overridden property by selecting the instance and clicking the reset icon next to the changed property. This returns it to the main component's original value.

beginner

Why is overriding instance properties useful in design systems?

It allows designers to keep a consistent style while customizing parts of components for different uses. This saves time and keeps designs flexible and organized.

What does overriding an instance property in Figma allow you to do?

A Change a specific part of a component instance without affecting the main component

B Delete the main component permanently

C Create a new component from scratch

D Lock the instance so it cannot be edited

Overriding lets you customize parts of an instance while keeping the main component unchanged.

Which of these can you override in a Figma component instance?

A Text and colors

B The component's name

C The original component's file location

D The Figma app settings

You can override visible properties like text and colors in instances.

If you update the main component, what happens to overridden properties in instances?

A They reset to the main component automatically

B They stay as the customized overrides

C They get deleted

D The instance is removed

Overrides remain intact even when the main component updates.

How can you revert an overridden property back to the main component's value?

A Rename the component

B Delete the instance

C Click the reset icon next to the property in the instance

D Restart Figma

The reset icon restores the property to the original component value.

Why is overriding instance properties helpful in design systems?

A It makes components harder to update

B It locks the design so no changes are possible

C It removes the need for components

D It keeps designs consistent but flexible for different uses

Overrides allow customization while maintaining consistency.

Explain in your own words what overriding instance properties means in Figma and why it is useful.

Think about how you can change parts of a design without breaking the original.

Describe the process to reset an overridden property in a Figma component instance.

Look for a small icon near the changed property in the instance panel.

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