Interactive components in Figma - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Interactive components let you create buttons, toggles, and other elements that change when you click or hover. This helps you build realistic dashboards and reports that feel alive and easy to use.

When you want a button to show a pressed state on click without making multiple frames

When your dashboard needs toggles to switch between views or filters

When you want to simulate dropdown menus or tabs inside your report design

When you want to preview how users interact with filters or slicers

When you want to save time by reusing interactive elements across pages

Steps

Step 1: Select the component you want to make interactive

- Layers panel or canvas

The component is highlighted and ready for editing

Step 2: Click the Prototype tab in the right sidebar

- Right sidebar

Prototype options appear below the Design tab

Step 3: Click the plus (+) icon next to 'Variants' to add a new variant

- Properties panel under Variants section

A new variant of the component appears side by side

Step 4: Design the new variant to show the changed state (like pressed or toggled)

- Canvas

The new variant visually differs to represent interaction

Step 5: Select the first variant, then drag the prototype node (circle) to the second variant

- Prototype tab on the right sidebar

A connection arrow appears between the two variants

Step 6: Set the interaction details: choose 'On Click' as trigger and 'Change to' as action

- Interaction details panel in Prototype tab

Interaction is configured to switch variants on click

Step 7: Click Present (play icon) in the top-right corner to test the interactive component

- Top-right toolbar

The prototype opens and clicking the component toggles its state

Before vs After

Before

A component with a single static state showing a button in normal style

After

The component has two variants: normal and pressed. Clicking the button in presentation mode toggles between these states

Settings Reference

Trigger

📍 Prototype tab > Interaction details

Defines what user action starts the interaction

Default: On Click

Action

📍 Prototype tab > Interaction details

Defines what happens after the trigger

Default: Change to

Animation

📍 Prototype tab > Interaction details

Controls how the transition between variants looks

Default: Instant

Common Mistakes

Not adding multiple variants before linking interactions

Interactive components need at least two variants to switch between states

Always create all needed variants first, then connect them with interactions

Setting the wrong trigger like 'On Hover' when you want a click effect

The interaction won't respond as expected if the trigger doesn't match user action

Choose the correct trigger such as 'On Click' for button presses

Forgetting to test the interaction in Presentation mode

Interactions only work in prototype preview, not in design view

Always click Present to verify the interactive component works

Summary

Interactive components let you create clickable or hoverable elements with multiple states.

You build them by adding variants and linking them with prototype interactions.

Remember to test interactions in Presentation mode to see them work.