Top Secret Keyboard Shortcuts in Figma 🤫
How to work fast in your design files (Macbook edition)
As a product designer, I spend almost every day in Figma. Here are some hidden keyboard shortcuts that have been huge game-changers for my workflow:
💠 Copy screenshot to clipboard
[ Cmd + 4 ] then drag to select an area with your mouse.
This shortcut is convenient for when you need to share screenshots quickly without having to save them individually as local files. After copying the screenshot to your clipboard, you can immediately paste the image anywhere (e.g., Slack, Figma, Email). These shortcuts are customizable in your Macbook settings (see image below).
Similarly, [ Shift + Ctrl + 5 ] opens QuickTime to record either a portion or your entire screen. You can also access controls to save screenshots as files from the bottom toolbar. Press [ Esc ] to close the recording window.
💠 Send temporary chat messages
[ / ] to activate cursor chat and type your message.
Cursor chat is a fun way to send messages to your teammates without having to leave your file for quick communication (ie: “awesome job!”). You can type out emojis & different languages before the bubbles disappear after a few seconds. The window can be exited with [ Esc ] and [ Return or Enter ] to start a new message.
💠 Show Layout Grid
[ Ctrl or Shift + G ] to show the layout grid (both Mac + PC)
The grid can sometimes be distracting when I’m designing. This combination lets me quickly check for component alignment by toggling grid visibility.
💠 Flip through frames with ‘N’
Select a frame, then press [ N ] to move to the next frame, [ Shift + N ] to reverse.
I find this EXTREMELY useful when I present my designs to stakeholders as it automatically centers the frame, holding a steady view for my audience as I go through my proposal. I also use this to navigate through user flows to ensure logic between the screens.
Similarly, [ Fn + ← or → ] flips through frames while maintaining the zoom level across them.
To learn more
That’s all from me today! Feel free to share your favourite keyboard shortcut (Figma or other) in the comments. (Mine is option + cmd + B, give it a try on a component next time~) (•⩊•)✧