How to Undo a Component in Figma

Find the master component you want to undo and create its instance. Next, detach the instance from the copy you’ve just made and delete the original component.

Hi! My name is Yana, and I’ve been working with Figma and mastering my skills since 2021. I build design elements using component features to keep the design consistent. However, if necessary, there is always an option to go back and undo a component.

In this article, I will show you how to undo a component in Figma. I will also cover the steps you need to follow to detach an instance and answer some of the most popular questions along the way.

Let’s get started.

Key Takeaways

  • You can undo a component in Figma manually or by using a plugin.
  • Use shortcuts to speed up your design process. For example, use the keyboard shortcut Command/Ctrl + D to create a component.
  • Stay up to date with Figma updates, as new features and bug fixes may resolve any issues you face.

2 Ways to Undo a Component in Figma

Here is what you can do to keep a design element without having it as a component.

Method 1: Undo a Component Manually

Step 1. Find the master component on the Assets list at the top of the layers panel. You can also reach it by right-clicking any of the component instances and choosing to Go to the main component option.

Step 2. Select the original component and use the Command/Ctrl + D keyboard combination to create a component instance.

Step 3. Next, right-click the element and select the Detach Instance. You can also use the Option+Command+B shortcut for Mac and Ctrl+B for Windows.

Step 4. Delete the original component.

Method 2: Undo a Component with Plugin

You can also use the Detach Component plugin from the Figma Community to undo a component.

Select the component you want to undo and search for the “Detach component” plugin in the Resources section on the top menu. Next, hit the Run button to undo the component. Then you can run the plugin every time you need to by right-clicking on the component and selecting it from the plugin library. 

To go back and undo the changes, press the Command/Ctrl+Z key combination.

Why Can’t I Detach a Component in Figma?

Make sure you are trying to detach a component instance, as master components don’t have this function. 

If you can’t detach a component instance, check if it is located inside another component instance. If it is, you will need to detach the outer component instance first before detaching the inner one.

Also, updating the Figma app could help, as they often release new features and the problem you are experiencing may be solved with a software update. But if you still experience problems, don’t hesitate to check Figma’s troubleshooting page for help.

FAQs

Here are the answers to a few of the most frequently asked questions about Figma:

How Do I Edit an Existing Component

To edit an existing component, find the master component in the Assets tab. After that you can change it right in the design canvas. All of the component instants in your design project will be updated when you make changes to the master component.

How Do I Remove a Component Variant in Figma?

Select a variant property you want to delete and hit the Delete key to remove a component variant.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to undo a component in Figma is a helpful skill in your design workflow. Whether you prefer the manual method or use a plugin, you have full control over your design elements. However, I wish that Figma could improve this process, as it would be more convenient if users didn’t have to navigate back and forth or rely on plugins for such a simple task.

Do you think that undoing a component in Figma could be simpler? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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