How to Ungroup in Figma: Simple Guide for Beginners

Knowing how to ungroup in Figma can be a game-changer for your workflow. If you’ve ever struggled with organizing your layers or fine-tuning your interface layouts, understanding this fundamental action is crucial.

Figma stands as a collaborative design powerhouse, and mastering these core functions elevates your design process, making it more efficient and effective.

In this article, you’ll learn the exact steps to ungroup layers and elements in Figma.

By the end, you’ll be equipped with essential knowledge like keyboard shortcuts, navigating the Layers panel, and tips to optimize your digital product design.

You’ll also explore the nuances of Figma’s design systems and interactive prototypes, ensuring your work is both seamless and scalable.

We’ll dive into:

Using the Layers Panel
Keyboard Shortcuts & Efficiency
Optimizing Your Workflow with Figma’s Advanced Features

How to Ungroup in Figma: Quick Workflow

1. Using the Right-Click Menu

Step 1: Select the group you want to ungroup by clicking on it in the canvas or the layers panel.
Step 2: Right-click on the selected group.
Step 3: From the context menu, choose Ungroup. This will separate the components within the group while retaining their individual properties.

2. Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Figma provides specific keyboard shortcuts for ungrouping elements:

For macOS: Press Shift + Command + G or Command + Backspace.
For Windows: Press Shift + Control + G or Control + Backspace.

3. Using the Menu Bar

Step 1: With the group selected, navigate to the top menu bar.
Step 2: Click on Object, then select Ungroup from the dropdown list.

4. Ungrouping Components

If you are dealing with components rather than simple groups:

Select the component instance you wish to detach.
Right-click and choose Detach Instance or use the shortcut Command + Option + B (macOS) or Control + Alt + B (Windows) to ungroup it from its main component.

Ungrouping in Figma

Returning grouped objects to individual layers can be crucial for making precise edits. When elements are grouped, adjustments might be limited, so ungrouping enables finer control. This process is particularly relevant in iterative design, where frequent modifications and revisions are standard practice.

Methods for Ungrouping in Figma

Keyboard Shortcuts

Efficient navigation can enhance productivity significantly.

macOS: Use Command + Backspace or Shift + Command + G.
Windows: For Windows, it’s Ctrl + Backspace or Shift + Ctrl + G.

These shortcuts are life-savers, instantly reverting grouped layers to their original, separate states.

For those who prefer a more visual approach, the context menu is your friend.

Right-clicking grouped layers: Once your layers are grouped, right-click on the group.
Selecting “Ungroup”: From the menu that appears, select “Ungroup”.

This method offers a more tactile approach, suitable for those who prefer confirming their actions visually.

Advanced Tips and Strategies

Pro tip: Right-click options speed up navigation considerably. Instead of hunting for the right command, a quick right-click gets you there.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Shortcut Confusion Across Platforms

Variations in macOS and Windows commands can trip anyone up. You switch between systems, and suddenly your muscle memory becomes your worst enemy.

macOS: Command ⌘ is your go-to.
Windows: Ctrl does the heavy lifting.

The key is to train your fingers, like swapping back and forth until it feels natural. Switching systems? Practice. Muscle memory won’t betray you if you drill it right.

External Interference with Shortcuts

AMD GPU/CPU software messing with your Ctrl + Shift commands? Frustrating. These interferences come out of nowhere, like a ghost in the machine.

Steps to troubleshoot and resolve conflicts:

Disable conflicting shortcuts in the AMD software settings.
Update drivers—sometimes it’s that simple.

Test it out. Still funky? Look at other software running background tasks. Each tweak removes a potential roadblock.

User-Specific Contexts

Navigating grouped elements in complex prototypes can feel like navigating a maze. Groups within groups. Layers upon layers.

Best practices for maintaining layer organization:

Consistent naming conventions for layers and groups.
Use color codes in the layer panel for quick identification.
Regular clean-up sessions—audit your layers, remove what’s unnecessary.

This way, your canvas remains navigable, and projects flow without hiccups. Handling nested elements? Recognizing their structure and keeping everything labeled will save you countless hours.

FAQ on How To Ungroup In Figma

How do I ungroup layers in Figma?

Ungrouping layers in Figma is simple. Select the group you want to ungroup.

Then, either right-click and select Ungroup or use the keyboard shortcut Shift + Ctrl + G (Windows) or Shift + Command + G (Mac). This action will separate your grouped elements back into individual layers.

What is the keyboard shortcut to ungroup in Figma?

The keyboard shortcut to ungroup in Figma is Shift + Ctrl + G for Windows users and Shift + Command + G for Mac users.

This shortcut helps you quickly organize your layers without navigating through menus, ensuring a more efficient workflow during your design sessions.

Can I ungroup multiple groups at once in Figma?

Yes, you can ungroup multiple groups simultaneously. Select all the groups you need to ungroup by holding down Shift, then either right-click and choose Ungroup or use the keyboard shortcut Shift + Ctrl + G (Windows) or Shift + Command + G (Mac). This saves time and streamlines your design process.

Does ungrouping in Figma affect my component instances?

Ungrouping should not affect component instances directly. However, if you ungroup elements within a master component, it will impact all instances of that component.

It’s crucial to ensure you are ungrouping the correct layers and not unintentionally altering component functionality or the integrity of your design systems.

How do I find and select a group in Figma?

To find and select a group, navigate to the Layers Panel, where all your elements are listed hierarchically.

Look for the group icon, which resembles a folder. Click on the group name to select it. This action makes managing your UI/UX elements and organizing your vector graphics efficient.

Can you re-group layers after ungrouping in Figma?

Absolutely. After ungrouping, you can select the individual layers you want to regroup by holding down Shift.

Then right-click and choose Group Selection, or press Ctrl + G (Windows) or Command + G (Mac) to group the selected layers. This flexibility ensures you maintain a structured layout in your workspace.

Is it possible to ungroup frames and components in Figma?

Frames and components behave differently. You can ungroup frames similarly to regular groups using Shift + Ctrl + G or Shift + Command + G.

However, components require a different approach; you can detach instances by right-clicking and selecting Detach Instance, allowing further modification without affecting the master component.

Why can’t I ungroup certain elements in Figma?

If you can’t ungroup certain elements, they may be inside a frame or component. Verify the element’s type in the Layers Panel.

Frames and components have their unique properties and constraints; use Detach Instance for components and Ungroup for frames when applicable.

What happens to interactions and animations after ungrouping in Figma?

Ungrouping elements in Figma will not affect existing interactions and animations as long as the layer structure remains unchanged.

If interactions are tied to specific layers within a group, ensure these relationships are preserved post-ungrouping to maintain the integrity of your interactive prototypes and animations.

Can I undo an ungroup action in Figma?

Yes, any action, including ungrouping, can be undone in Figma. Press Ctrl + Z (Windows) or Command + Z (Mac) to undo your last action.

This feature is incredibly useful for designers who need to quickly revert changes and maintain the flow of their digital product design process.

Conclusion

Understanding how to ungroup in Figma is crucial for streamlining your design projects. By using basic commands like right-clicking and selecting Ungroup, or employing keyboard shortcuts—Shift + Ctrl + G on Windows and Shift + Command + G on Mac—designers can efficiently manage their layers and elements.

The ability to ungroup multiple groups simultaneously further enhances workflow, saving time and effort. This action doesn’t disrupt component instances unless done within a master component, maintaining design integrity. Navigating the Layers Panel, regouping layers, and managing frames and components ensures clarity in your workspace.

By keeping your elements organized and interactions intact, ungrouping becomes a seamless part of your digital product design repertoire. And remember, if you make a mistake? Simply hit Ctrl + Z or Command + Z to undo.

Master these techniques, and you’ll find your familiarity with Figma growing, making your design process both efficient and precise.

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