Version history in Figma - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Version history lets you see and restore past versions of your Figma files. It helps you fix mistakes or review changes without losing your current work.

When you accidentally delete or change something important in your design file

When you want to compare how your design looked yesterday versus today

When you need to restore a previous version after feedback from your team

When you want to track progress and see who made which changes

When you want to create a backup point before trying a risky design change

Steps

Step 1: Open your Figma file

- Figma desktop app or web browser

Your design file loads on screen

Step 2: Click the menu icon with three dots

- Top-center or top-left corner next to the file name

A dropdown menu appears

Step 3: Select 'Show version history'

- Dropdown menu

The version history panel opens on the right side showing past saved versions

Step 4: Click any version timestamp in the panel

- Version history panel

The canvas updates to show the design as it was at that time

Step 5: Click 'Restore this version' if you want to revert

- Top bar of the version preview

The file returns to the selected version and becomes the current working version

Before vs After

Before

Current file shows latest design with unwanted changes

After

File restored to a previous version without the unwanted changes

Settings Reference

Version history panel

📍 Menu icon (three dots) > Show version history

View and select past versions of your file

Default: Shows all autosaved versions

Restore this version

📍 Top bar of version preview in version history panel

Revert the file to the selected past version

Default: Cancel

Common Mistakes

Trying to edit the design directly in the version history preview

The preview is read-only and changes won't save

Restore the version first, then edit in the main file view

Ignoring autosave and not checking version history regularly

You might lose track of important changes or fixes

Use version history often to track progress and back up work

Summary

Version history helps you see and restore past versions of your Figma file.

You access it from the menu icon next to the file name.

Remember to restore a version before editing it, as previews are read-only.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of Version history in Figma?

easy

A. To save your work automatically and let you go back to earlier versions

B. To create new design files from scratch

C. To share your design with others instantly

D. To export your design as an image file

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what version history does

   Version history automatically saves your work and allows you to revisit previous versions.

2. Step 2: Compare options with this understanding

   Only To save your work automatically and let you go back to earlier versions describes this feature correctly; others describe unrelated features.

3. Final Answer:

   To save your work automatically and let you go back to earlier versions -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Version history = Save and revert [OK]

Hint: Version history means saving and going back in time [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing version history with sharing features
• Thinking version history creates new files
• Assuming version history exports images

2. Which of the following is the correct way to name a version in Figma's version history?

easy

A. Go to File menu and choose 'Export version name'

B. Double-click the canvas and type the version name

C. Drag the version to the top of the list

D. Right-click on a version and select 'Name this version'

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall how to name versions in Figma

   You name a version by right-clicking it in the version history and selecting 'Name this version'.

2. Step 2: Check other options for correctness

   Double-clicking canvas, exporting version name, or dragging versions are not valid actions for naming.

3. Final Answer:

   Right-click on a version and select 'Name this version' -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Name version = Right-click + Name [OK]

Hint: Right-click version to name it quickly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to name version by clicking canvas
• Looking for naming in export options
• Dragging versions to rename

3. If you accidentally delete an important frame in your Figma file, how can version history help you?

medium

A. It sends an email with the deleted frame backup

B. It automatically recovers deleted frames without user action

C. It lets you restore the file to a previous version before deletion

D. It prevents deletion by locking frames

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand version history's recovery role

   Version history allows restoring the file to an earlier saved state before the frame was deleted.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

   Version history does not auto-recover without user action, send emails, or lock frames to prevent deletion.

3. Final Answer:

   It lets you restore the file to a previous version before deletion -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Restore deleted work = Use version history restore [OK]

Hint: Restore deleted items by reverting to earlier version [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming auto recovery happens instantly
• Expecting email backups from version history
• Thinking version history locks objects

4. You try to name a version in Figma but the option is greyed out. What could be the problem?

medium

A. Your internet connection is offline

B. You have not selected a saved version yet

C. You are not logged into Figma

D. You are trying to name a version in a different file

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify why naming is disabled

   Version naming is only enabled when you select a saved version in the version history panel.

2. Step 2: Check other options for relevance

   Internet or login issues usually prevent saving, but naming option greyed out specifically means no version selected.

3. Final Answer:

   You have not selected a saved version yet -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Name option greyed = No version selected [OK]

Hint: Select a saved version before naming it [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming offline disables naming option
• Thinking login status affects naming directly
• Trying to name versions in wrong files

5. You want to compare two versions in Figma to see what changed between them. Which steps should you follow?

hard

A. Open version history, select the first version, then select the second version to compare side-by-side

B. Export both versions as images and compare them manually

C. Duplicate the file twice and open each copy separately

D. Use the 'Compare versions' button in the File menu

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand how to compare versions in Figma

   Figma allows selecting two versions in version history to view differences side-by-side.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

   Exporting images or duplicating files is manual and inefficient; no 'Compare versions' button exists in File menu.

3. Final Answer:

   Open version history, select the first version, then select the second version to compare side-by-side -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Compare versions = Select two versions in history [OK]

Hint: Select two versions in history to compare visually [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking export is needed to compare versions
• Duplicating files instead of using version history
• Looking for a non-existent compare button