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Responsive grid systems in Figma - Dashboard Guide

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Dashboard Mode - Responsive grid systems
Dashboard Goal

Understand how to build a responsive grid system in Figma for BI dashboards that adapts to different screen sizes.

Sample Data
Region Product Sales Q1 Sales Q2 Sales Q3 Sales Q4
North Widget A 100 150 130 170
South Widget B 200 210 190 220
East Widget C 300 310 320 330
West Widget D 400 420 410 430
Central Widget E 250 260 270 280
Dashboard Components
  • KPI Cards: Show total sales per region with sum of all quarters. Formula: Total Sales = Sales Q1 + Sales Q2 + Sales Q3 + Sales Q4
  • Bar Chart: Compare total sales by product across regions. Uses total sales calculated above.
  • Line Chart: Show sales trend over quarters for selected region.
  • Filter Panel: Dropdown to select region, updates charts and KPI cards.
Dashboard Layout
+--------------------------------------------------+
| Filter Panel             | KPI Cards (5 cards)    |
| (1 column wide)          | (3 columns wide)       |
+-------------------------+------------------------+
| Bar Chart (full width)                            |
+--------------------------------------------------+
| Line Chart (full width)                           |
+--------------------------------------------------+

Responsive grid:
- On wide screens: Filter panel left, KPIs right in a row
- On narrow screens: Filter panel on top, KPIs below stacked
- Charts always full width below filters and KPIs
Interactivity

The region filter dropdown controls which region's data is shown.

  • When a region is selected, KPI cards update to show total sales for that region only.
  • Bar chart updates to show sales by product for the selected region.
  • Line chart updates to show quarterly sales trend for the selected region.
Self Check

If you select Region = East in the filter, which components update and what changes?

  • KPI Cards show total sales for East region only.
  • Bar Chart shows sales by product for East region.
  • Line Chart shows sales trend over quarters for East region.
Key Result
A responsive BI dashboard in Figma showing sales KPIs, bar and line charts filtered by region with a flexible grid layout.

Practice

(1/5)
1. What is the main purpose of a responsive grid system in Figma for BI dashboards?
easy
A. To add animations to dashboard elements
B. To change font styles automatically
C. To create complex formulas for data calculations
D. To organize content so it looks good on all screen sizes

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand responsive grids

    Responsive grids help arrange content so it adapts to different screen sizes.

  2. Step 2: Identify the main goal in BI dashboards

    BI dashboards need to look clear and organized on phones, tablets, and desktops.

  3. Final Answer:

    To organize content so it looks good on all screen sizes -> Option D

  4. Quick Check:

    Responsive grids = organize content for all screens [OK]
Hint: Responsive grids adapt layout to screen size [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Confusing grids with animations
  • Thinking grids create formulas
  • Assuming grids change fonts automatically
2. Which of the following is the correct way to add a 12-column grid in Figma for a responsive layout?
easy
A. Set Columns to 6, Type to Rows, Gutter to 12px, Margin to 24px
B. Set Rows to 12, Type to Rows, Gutter to 24px, Margin to 16px
C. Set Columns to 12, Type to Columns, Gutter to 16px, Margin to 24px
D. Set Columns to 12, Type to Rows, Gutter to 24px, Margin to 16px

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify grid settings for columns

    A 12-column grid means Columns = 12 and Type = Columns.

  2. Step 2: Check gutter and margin values

    Common gutter is 16px and margin is 24px for spacing in responsive grids.

  3. Final Answer:

    Set Columns to 12, Type to Columns, Gutter to 16px, Margin to 24px -> Option C

  4. Quick Check:

    12 columns + gutter 16px + margin 24px = correct grid setup [OK]
Hint: Columns = 12 and Type = Columns for responsive grids [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Confusing rows with columns
  • Swapping gutter and margin values
  • Setting wrong grid type
3. Given a Figma frame with a 12-column grid, gutter 20px, and margin 40px, what happens if you resize the frame from 1200px wide to 600px wide?
medium
A. Columns stay the same width, margins and gutters shrink proportionally
B. Columns, gutters, and margins all shrink proportionally to fit the new width
C. Margins stay fixed, columns and gutters adjust to new width
D. Grid disappears and layout breaks

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand responsive grid behavior on resize

    In responsive grids, columns, gutters, and margins adjust proportionally when frame size changes.

  2. Step 2: Apply to given sizes

    When width halves from 1200px to 600px, all grid parts shrink to keep layout consistent.

  3. Final Answer:

    Columns, gutters, and margins all shrink proportionally to fit the new width -> Option B

  4. Quick Check:

    Responsive grid parts shrink proportionally on resize [OK]
Hint: All grid parts resize proportionally in responsive grids [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Thinking margins stay fixed
  • Assuming columns keep same width
  • Believing grid disappears on resize
4. You set a 12-column grid in Figma but notice your dashboard elements overlap when resizing smaller screens. What is the most likely cause?
medium
A. Breakpoints are missing or not set properly
B. Margins are set to zero, leaving no space on edges
C. Grid type is set to Rows instead of Columns
D. Gutter size is too small, causing columns to merge

Solution

  1. Step 1: Analyze overlapping issue on small screens

    Overlapping usually happens if layout doesn't adjust at different screen sizes.

  2. Step 2: Check grid and breakpoint settings

    Without breakpoints, grid doesn't adapt, causing overlap on smaller screens.

  3. Final Answer:

    Breakpoints are missing or not set properly -> Option A

  4. Quick Check:

    Missing breakpoints cause overlap on small screens [OK]
Hint: Set breakpoints to adjust layout on different screen sizes [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Blaming gutter size for overlap
  • Ignoring breakpoints importance
  • Confusing grid type with overlap cause
5. You want to design a BI dashboard in Figma that looks good on desktop and mobile. Which combination of grid settings and breakpoints is best for a responsive layout?
hard
A. Desktop: 12-column grid with 24px margin; Mobile: 4-column grid with 16px margin and breakpoint at 600px
B. Desktop: 6-column grid with 16px margin; Mobile: 12-column grid with 24px margin and breakpoint at 800px
C. Desktop: 12-row grid with 24px margin; Mobile: 4-row grid with 16px margin and breakpoint at 600px
D. Desktop: 12-column grid with 0 margin; Mobile: 4-column grid with 0 margin and no breakpoints

Solution

  1. Step 1: Choose appropriate grid columns for desktop and mobile

    Desktop needs more columns (12) for detailed layout; mobile uses fewer (4) for simplicity.

  2. Step 2: Set margins and breakpoints for spacing and layout switch

    Margins of 24px desktop and 16px mobile provide good spacing; breakpoint at 600px switches layout properly.

  3. Final Answer:

    Desktop: 12-column grid with 24px margin; Mobile: 4-column grid with 16px margin and breakpoint at 600px -> Option A

  4. Quick Check:

    Proper columns, margins, and breakpoint = responsive layout [OK]
Hint: Use fewer columns and smaller margins on mobile with breakpoints [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Using rows instead of columns for grids
  • No breakpoints causing poor mobile layout
  • Zero margins causing cramped design