Design and Prototype in the Right Sidebar
Learn how to use the design tab to view and modify properties of objects in your Figma Design file.
Figma Design files have four distinct interactive areas: a toolbar, two panels, and a scrollable canvas. These areas allow you to access, create and adjust elements of your design. This page covers the important functions of the right sidebar, also known as the properties panel.
What you can see in the properties panel will depend on your level of access to a file and your account type.
View Figma’s tour of design, prototype and explore layer properties in the right sidebar
Design Tab
The design tab lets you view and modify the properties of objects within your design.
If nothing is selected on the canvas, you’ll be able to do the following from the design tab:
- Access styles and variables that are local to the file
- Update the background color of the canvas
- Export the entire page
When something is selected, you’ll be able to make a number of modifications based on the object type.
When using components, this is where you will be able to choose predefined properties to edit its appearance.
Prototype Tab
The prototype tab allows you to build interactive prototypes. This essentially means you can make interactive proofs of webpages and applications. This is helpful when you want to show a specific user flow or behavior.
Properties Panel with View-Only Access
If you have been given view-only access to a Figma Design file, you will not see the design and prototype tabs. Instead, you will see the comment and properties tabs. The comment tab lets you view and add comments to the file. The properties tab lets you inspect layers on the canvas and export designs.