Asset export (PNG, SVG, PDF) in Figma - Dashboard Guide

Dashboard Mode - Asset export (PNG, SVG, PDF)

Goal

Help users export their dashboard visuals as PNG, SVG, or PDF files for sharing and presentations.

Sample Data

Month	Sales	Region
January	100	North
February	150	South
March	200	East
April	130	West
May	170	North
June	220	South

Dashboard Components

• KPI Card: Total Sales
  Formula: SUM(Sales) = 100 + 150 + 200 + 130 + 170 + 220 = 970
• Bar Chart: Sales by Month
  Shows sales values for each month from January to June.
• Pie Chart: Sales by Region
  Shows sales distribution by region: North (270), South (370), East (200), West (130).
• Export Buttons: Three buttons labeled PNG, SVG, PDF.
  Each triggers export of the dashboard visuals in the chosen format.

Dashboard Layout

+----------------------+----------------------+
|      KPI Card        |      Export Buttons   |
|    Total Sales: 970  |  [PNG] [SVG] [PDF]   |
+----------------------+----------------------+
|                  Bar Chart (Sales by Month)   |
|  Jan  Feb  Mar  Apr  May  Jun                   |
|  100  150  200  130  170  220                   |
+-----------------------------------------------+
|                  Pie Chart (Sales by Region)   |
|  North  South  East  West                       |
|   270    370    200   130                       |
+-----------------------------------------------+

Interactivity

Clicking any export button (PNG, SVG, PDF) will export the entire dashboard area including KPI card, bar chart, and pie chart in the selected file format. The export respects current filters applied (if any) so the exported visuals match what is shown on screen.

Self Check

If you apply a filter to show only sales from the North region, which components update and what happens when you export?

• KPI Card updates to show total sales for North only (100 + 170 = 270).
• Bar Chart updates to show sales by month only for North region months (January and May).
• Pie Chart updates to show only North region slice (100% of filtered data).
• Export buttons export the updated dashboard visuals reflecting the North region filter.

Key Result

Dashboard showing total sales, sales by month and region, with export options for PNG, SVG, and PDF.

Practice

1. Which export format in Figma is best suited for sharing scalable vector graphics without losing quality?

easy

A. PNG

B. JPEG

C. PDF

D. SVG

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand vector vs raster formats

   SVG is a vector format that scales without losing quality, unlike PNG or JPEG which are raster images.

2. Step 2: Match format to use case

   For scalable graphics, SVG is ideal because it preserves sharpness at any size.

3. Final Answer:

   SVG -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Vector graphics = SVG [OK]

Hint: Choose SVG for sharp, scalable images [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing PNG as scalable
• Choosing PDF for images
• Selecting JPEG for vectors

2. Which of the following is the correct way to export a frame as a PNG in Figma?

easy

A. Drag frame to desktop > Save as PNG

B. Select frame > File > Save As > PNG

C. Right-click frame > Export > Choose PNG > Click Export

D. Select frame > Edit > Export as SVG

Solution

1. Step 1: Locate export option in Figma

   Right-clicking the frame and selecting Export is the standard way to export assets.

2. Step 2: Choose correct format and export

   After choosing PNG format, clicking Export saves the file correctly.

3. Final Answer:

   Right-click frame > Export > Choose PNG > Click Export -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Export via right-click > PNG [OK]

Hint: Right-click frame to export quickly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using Save As instead of Export
• Dragging frame to desktop
• Choosing wrong export format

3. What will be the result if you export a vector icon as a PNG at 2x scale in Figma?

medium

A. A vector file that can be scaled infinitely

B. A raster image twice the size of the original icon

C. A PDF document with embedded vectors

D. An SVG file with double the resolution

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand PNG export behavior

   PNG exports a raster image, so scaling to 2x increases pixel dimensions, not vector quality.

2. Step 2: Confirm output type

   The output is a raster image twice as large in pixels, not a vector or PDF.

3. Final Answer:

   A raster image twice the size of the original icon -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   PNG at 2x = bigger raster image [OK]

Hint: PNG scales pixels, not vectors [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting vector output from PNG
• Confusing SVG with PNG
• Thinking PDF is created

4. You tried exporting a frame as a PDF but the file is blank. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The export scale was set to 0

B. You exported the frame without selecting it first

C. You chose SVG format instead of PDF

D. The frame contains only raster images without vector layers

Solution

1. Step 1: Check export scale settings

   If the scale is set to 0, the exported file will have no visible content.

2. Step 2: Understand impact on PDF export

   PDF export respects scale; zero scale means blank output.

3. Final Answer:

   The export scale was set to 0 -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Zero scale = blank export [OK]

Hint: Ensure export scale is above zero [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Not selecting frame before export
• Confusing SVG with PDF
• Assuming raster images cause blank PDF

5. You need to export a multi-page design as a single PDF document in Figma. Which approach should you take?

hard

A. Select all frames and export as PDF in one action

B. Export each frame as PNG and combine externally into a PDF

C. Export frames individually as SVG and merge in Figma

D. Use the 'Export selection' option to export all frames as separate PDFs

Solution

1. Step 1: Select all frames to export

   In Figma, selecting multiple frames allows exporting them together.

2. Step 2: Export as PDF in one action

   Choosing PDF format for multiple selected frames creates a single multi-page PDF.

3. Final Answer:

   Select all frames and export as PDF in one action -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Multi-frame PDF export = select all + export PDF [OK]

Hint: Select all frames, export PDF once [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Exporting PNGs then merging
• Exporting SVGs expecting PDF
• Exporting frames separately as PDFs