How to Add a Link in Figma: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to add a link in Figma?

Figma is a powerful design tool that enables designers to create user interfaces, prototypes, and design systems. One of the most important features of Figma is the ability to add links to text and images. Links are essential for creating interactive prototypes and design documentation that can be shared with stakeholders and developers.

To add a link in Figma, designers need to understand the Figma interface and the different types of links available. Designers can create links to external websites, internal pages, and specific frames within a Figma file. They can also create links that trigger interactions and animations, such as hover effects and click events.

Creating and editing links in Figma is a straightforward process that involves selecting the text or image, clicking on the "Create Link" icon, entering the URL, or selecting the target frame. Designers can also customize the link properties, such as the text color and underline style, to match the design style. Understanding how to work with links in Figma is essential for creating effective design documentation and prototypes that communicate the design intent clearly.

Key Takeaways

• Links are essential for creating interactive prototypes and design documentation in Figma
• Designers can create links to external websites, internal pages, and specific frames within a Figma file
• Creating and editing links in Figma is a straightforward process that involves selecting the text or image, clicking on the "Create Link" icon, entering the URL, or selecting the target frame.

Understanding Figma Interface

Figma is a powerful design tool that allows designers to create and collaborate on designs in real time. The Figma interface is designed to be intuitive and easy to use, with a range of tools and features that can be accessed through the toolbar.

The toolbar in Figma is located at the top of the window and includes a range of tools for creating and editing designs. Some of the tools available in the toolbar include the selection tool, the pen tool, the vector tool, and the text tool. To use a tool, click on it in the toolbar and then click on the canvas to start using it.

The Figma window is divided into several sections, including the files section, the canvas section, and the layers section. The files section allows designers to manage their design files, while the canvas section is where the actual design work takes place. The layers section allows designers to manage the layers in their designs, making it easy to organize and edit different elements.

The canvas in Figma is where designers can create and edit their designs. The canvas is a blank space where designers can add elements such as shapes, text, and images. The canvas can be resized and zoomed in or out to allow for more detailed design work.

Overall, the Figma interface is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive, making it easy for designers to create and collaborate on designs. With a range of tools and features available through the toolbar, and a well-organized window layout, Figma is a great choice for designers looking for a powerful and easy-to-use design tool.

Working with Links in Figma

Figma allows users to add links to text, images, and icons within their designs. These links can be used to provide access to external websites, files, or other locations within the Figma project.

Users can select the text they want to link and click on the "create link" icon in the toolbar to add a link to text in Figma. Alternatively, they can use the keyboard shortcut "Command K" on Mac or "Control K" on Windows to open the link modal above the selected text. From there, they can enter the URL or paste it from their clipboard.

It is also possible to add links to images and icons in Figma. However, this can only be done by nesting clickable URLs into the objects. Users can select the image or icon they want to link and then add a hyperlink to the text layer above it.

Once the link is added, users can click on it to access the linked content. The link to an external website or file will open in a new tab or window in the user's browser. If the link is to another location within the Figma project, users will be taken directly to that location.

Users can also open links in the Figma desktop app by selecting "Open in desktop app" from the menu in the toolbar. This feature requires the user to log in to the same account on both the browser and desktop app.

It is important to note that links can also be managed in Figma by controlling public link-sharing settings. This can be done by allowing or disabling public links, requiring passwords, or using an enterprise plan. Figma tracks any changes to an organization's public link-sharing settings in the organization's activity logs.

Overall, adding links in Figma is a simple and straightforward process that can greatly enhance the functionality and accessibility of a design.

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Creating and Editing Links

Adding hyperlinks to a Figma design is a useful way to add interactivity and make it easier for users to navigate between different pages or sections of a prototype. Here are the steps to create and edit links in Figma:

1. First, select the text or object that you want to turn into a link. This can be a word, a phrase, or an entire frame.
2. Use the keyboard shortcut to open the link modal above the selected text: MacOS: Command K Windows: Control K
3. Enter a URL or paste a URL from your clipboard: Paste in place. Alternatively, you can also select a frame or page from your current file or prototype.
4. Once you have entered the URL or selected a frame, click the "Create link" button to turn your selection into a clickable link.
5. Select the linked text or object to edit an existing link and press the same keyboard shortcut to open the link modal. You can change the URL or select a different frame or page from there.
6. You can also access the link options by right-clicking on the selected text or object and choosing "Add link" or "Edit link" from the context menu.
7. In addition to creating links within a single file or prototype, you can also share links to your designs with others. Figma lets you share links to files, prototypes, projects, and teams.
8. To manage link sharing settings, go to the "Admin settings" in the sidebar, click "Settings" in the menu bar, and select "Public link sharing" under the "External access" section. You can choose whether to allow or disallow public link sharing from there.

By following these simple steps, you can easily add links to your Figma designs and prototypes, making them more interactive and user-friendly.

Link Sharing and Permissions

Figma allows users to share their work with collaborators by sending them a link. This is the fastest way to share files, prototypes, projects, and teams with others. Users can copy and share links to files and prototypes, and if collaborators already have access to the team, project, or file, they can interact with it based on those permissions.

Permissions

Figma offers different levels of permissions to determine what collaborators can do with the shared files. These permissions include view access and edit access. With view access, collaborators can only view the file; with edit access, collaborators can make changes to the file.

Can Edit and Can View

When sharing a link, users can choose to give collaborators either can edit or can view permission. Can edit permission allows collaborators to make changes to the file, while can view permission only allows them to view the file.

Managing Link Sharing

Figma allows users to manage link sharing by setting up different options. Users can allow public links, require passwords, or disable public links. Public links are tracked in the organization's activity logs, and any changes to the link-sharing settings of individual files are also recorded.

In conclusion, by sending them a link, Figma makes it easy for users to share their work with collaborators. Users can set different levels of permissions to determine what collaborators can do with the shared files. They can also manage link sharing by setting up different options.

Link Interactions and Navigation

Adding links to the text in Figma is a simple process that can help improve the user experience of your designs. Links can be used to navigate between pages, open external resources, or trigger other interactions.

To add a link to text in Figma, select the text to which you want to add the link and click on the "Create link" icon in the toolbar. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut "Command K" on MacOS or "Control K" on Windows to open the link modal above the selected text. Once the modal is open, you can enter or paste a URL from your clipboard and click "Create link" to add the link to the selected text.

In addition to adding links to text, Figma also allows you to create connections and flows between frames and objects. To create a connection, you can click the plus icon on the side of the object's bounding box and drag it to the destination frame. Alternatively, you can click the plus icon in the Interactions section of the Prototype panel. Once the connection has been made, you can use the Interaction details panel to set the interaction trigger, action, and destination.

Figma also offers a variety of prototype actions that can be used to navigate between frames and objects. One of the most commonly used actions is the "Open link" action, allowing you to direct the user to a URL outside the prototype. To use this action, select the object to which you want to add the action and click on the "Prototype" tab at the top of the right sidebar. From there, you can select the "Open link" action and enter the URL you want to link to.

You can create a seamless navigation experience for your users in Figma by using links, connections, and prototype actions. Whether you're designing a website, app, or other digital product, these tools can help improve the usability and functionality of your designs.

Using Links in Design Documentation

Design documentation is a crucial aspect of the design process. It helps designers communicate their ideas, designs, and decisions to stakeholders, developers, and other team members. One effective way to enhance the usability of design documentation is to include links to relevant resources, such as design system documentation, meeting notes, PRD, and spec documents.

Links can be added to Figma's text, images, or other elements. To add a link to text, select the text you want to link and click the "Create Link" icon in the toolbar. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut "Command K" on Mac or "Control K" on Windows. This will open a link modal where you can enter the URL or paste it from your clipboard.

Adding links to images is also straightforward. Select the image you want to link and click the "Create Link" icon in the toolbar. Then, enter the URL or paste it from your clipboard in the link modal.

Links can also be added to other elements, such as frames, shapes, and icons. Select the frame to add a link to a frame and click the "Create Link" icon in the toolbar. Then, enter the URL or paste it from your clipboard in the link modal.

Including links in design documentation can save time and improve communication. For example, if a designer references a specific component in the design system documentation, they can include a link to that component in the documentation. This way, the reader can quickly navigate to the relevant section of the design system documentation without having to search for it.

In summary, adding links to design documentation can improve the usability and efficiency of the design process. Designers can communicate their ideas and decisions more effectively by including links to relevant resources, such as design system documentation, meeting notes, PRD, and spec documents.

Text Properties and Link Styling

To add a link to a text layer in Figma, the user must first ensure that they are in text edit mode. Once in text edit mode, the user can select the text they wish to turn into a link and click the "Create link" button in the Text section of the right sidebar.

The user can then enter the URL they wish to link to and choose whether they want the link to open in a new tab or the same tab. Additionally, the user can choose to underline the linked text, change the font, and adjust the color of the link.

When it comes to link styling, Figma offers a range of options. Users can choose to underline the linked text or leave it unlined. If the user chooses to underline the linked text, they can adjust the thickness and color of the underline.

Users can also adjust the font and color of the linked text and make it bold or italicized. The linked text in Figma is blue and underlined by default, but these properties can be adjusted to fit the user's design needs.

Overall, Figma offers a range of options for styling links within text layers. Users can adjust properties such as font, color, and underline thickness to create links that fit seamlessly into their design.

Advanced Link Features

Figma offers several advanced options for creating and managing links in your designs. These features are particularly useful for designers working on complex projects or who want to streamline their workflow.

Components and Interactive Elements

One of the most powerful features of Figma's link system is the ability to link not just to external URLs but also to other components and interactive elements within your design. This means you can create complex interactive prototypes and link between different parts of your design, making testing and refining your ideas easier.

To create a link to a component or interactive element, select the element and click the link icon in the toolbar. From there, you can choose to link to another component, a frame within your design, or an external URL.

Link Icons

Figma also offers a variety of link icons that you can use to indicate that an element is clickable. These icons can be customized to match your design system and are a great way to make your interactive elements more intuitive and user-friendly.

Select the element to add a link icon to an element and click the "Add Link" button in the properties panel. From there, you can choose from a variety of different link icons and customize the color and size as needed.

Design Systems and Feature Designs

If you're working on a large design system or creating feature designs that will be used across multiple projects, Figma's link system can be a huge time-saver. By creating links between different parts of your design, you can quickly navigate between different screens and elements, making it easier to manage and update your designs.

To create links between different parts of your design, select the element you want to link to and click the link icon in the toolbar. From there, you can choose to link to other frames or components within your design.

Explorations

Finally, Figma's link system is a great tool for exploring different design options and variations. By creating links between different versions of your design, you can quickly compare and contrast different ideas and get feedback from your team or clients.

To create links between different versions of your design, duplicate your design and make the necessary changes. Then, use Figma's link system to navigate between the different versions and compare them side-by-side.

Figma's link system is a powerful tool for creating interactive prototypes, managing complex design systems, and exploring different design options. By taking advantage of these advanced features, you can streamline your workflow and create more intuitive and user-friendly designs.

Troubleshooting Common Link Issues

Adding a link in Figma is usually straightforward, but sometimes issues may arise. Here are some common problems that users may encounter when adding links in Figma, along with some solutions:

Deleting a Link

If you need to delete a link, select the text or object that contains the link and press the delete key. If you accidentally delete the wrong link, use the undo command (Ctrl+Z or Command+Z) to restore it.

Errors and Issues

Sometimes, you may encounter errors or issues when adding links. Here are some common ones:

• URL not working: If the URL you added does not work, make sure that it is spelled correctly and that it is a valid URL.
• Link not clickable: If the link is not clickable, check that you have added it to the correct object or text layer. Also, make sure that the link is not hidden behind another object or layer.
• Link not displaying: If the link is not displaying, check that the text or object layer is not set to a transparent or hidden style.

Fixing Link Issues

Here are some tips for fixing common link issues:

• Check the link: Make sure that the link you added is valid and working.
• Check the layer style: If the link is not displaying, check that the layer style is not set to transparent or hidden.
• Re-add the link: If the link is not clickable, try re-adding it to the text or object layer.

By following these troubleshooting tips, users can quickly fix common link issues in Figma.

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