How To Link Frames In Figma

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Figma, a powerful tool, has simplified the process of designing and prototyping. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the essential steps of linking frames in Figma. This feature is crucial in producing dynamic and user-friendly prototypes.

What is a frame in Figma?

In Figma, a Frame can be considered as a canvas on which you can design your interfaces. Frames are used to represent screens or pages in your designs. They act as containers for layers and can be used to simulate the visible area of a design.

Why do we need to link frames?

Linking frames in Figma allows us to create interactive prototypes. It helps us to simulate user interactions and flows within our design. For instance, clicking a button on one frame can lead us to another frame, allowing designers to create a realistic user experience.

How to link frames

Linking frames in Figma is done using the prototyping feature. Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can link frames:

  1. Create the frames that you want to link. You can do this by selecting the Frame tool (F) and clicking and dragging on the canvas to create a frame.
  2. Select the object in the initial frame that you want to use as the interaction trigger. This could be a button, an image, or any other layer.
  3. While the object is selected, switch to the Prototype tab in the right-side panel.
  4. In the Prototype tab, click on the + button next to ‘Interactions’.
  5. In the interaction details, you will find ‘On Click’ as a default trigger. Let’s leave it as it is for simple interactions.
  6. Then select ‘Navigate To’ as the action. A dropdown menu will appear next to it.
  7. From the dropdown menu, select the frame you wish to link to.
// Example of steps representation
1. Select Object -> Prototype tab -> + button.
2. On Click -> Navigate To -> Select Frame.

And voila! You have successfully linked frames in Figma. Now, when you preview the prototype (Press Play button), clicking the selected object in the initial frame will navigate you to the linked frame.

Conclusion

Linking frames in Figma is a simple yet powerful function. It allows designers to simulate real-life flows and interactions, making the design process more realistic and user-centric. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will become with these features. Happy designing!