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Customizing Figma components: challenges and solutions

At a glance

A community member is having trouble editing Figma components, specifically wanting to change a header to a slider and add an overlay to cards. They are unable to manipulate the components as desired and are unsure if this is possible in Figma. Another community member suggests "detaching the instance" or using the keyboard shortcut ctrl+b to unlock the component for editing. However, the original poster is unable to find the "detach instance" option. After shutting down their computer, the "detach instance" option becomes available, and they are able to edit the components as needed. The community members discuss this issue and the solution.

I'm hoping someone can help me with the Figma components. I love using Relume for Webflow, but now I am trying them in Figma to design. Some of the components, I want to change. For instance, I want a header to be a slider. But, it won't let me add anything to show I want it to be a slider. I also have some cards I want to put an overlay on and I am unable to do this as well. I am unable to manipulate them to make the design and structure more of what I want. Is this impossible to do in Figma? Is it more just adding text, images, and color? Any helps is appreciated. Oh, and yes, I went to the main component and was unable to edit it or break the component. TIA.

M
C
4 comments

you'll want to right click and "detach instance" or cmd/ctrl + b when you have the component/section selected. Then you should have full editing power.

Hi Matt, That's what I am not seeing is the "detach instance" to unlock the component so to speak. It's just not there for some reason. I just tried the ctrl+b and it blinks and the purple goes away and then when I go to work in it, it highlights purple again and I can't do anything. ??? I appreciate your help though.

Update...I decided to shut down my whole computer not just the desktop app and it worked! The detach instance is now there and I was able to edit. Thanks so much!

Very interesting, glad you were able to work that out!

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