How to Create Your First Component in Figma

Design your base element (button, icon, card, etc.). Make sure it's complete with all styling, colors, and effects applied.

Select the element or frame you want to convert. Right-click and choose 'Create Component' or press Ctrl+Alt+K (Cmd+Opt+K on Mac). You'll see a diamond icon appear in the Layers panel.

The original becomes the 'Main Component' (marked with a filled diamond ◇). Any instances you create will be linked to this master.

Create instances by dragging from the Assets panel (left sidebar) or by holding Alt/Option and dragging the main component. Instances show with a hollow diamond (◇).

Edit the main component by double-clicking it. Any changes you make (color, size, text style) will automatically update all instances across your file.

Override instance properties selectively. You can change text, swap icons, or adjust colors on individual instances without affecting the main component or other instances.

Organize components in the Assets panel by naming them clearly (e.g., 'Button/Primary', 'Button/Secondary'). Use forward slashes to create nested folders.