Version Control and History in Figma

Key Concepts

• Version Control
• History

Version Control

Version Control in Figma allows you to manage different versions of your design files. This feature is particularly useful when working on large projects with multiple collaborators. By creating versions, you can save different states of your design and easily switch between them. This ensures that you can revert to previous versions if needed, without losing any work.

To use Version Control, click on the "Version History" button in the toolbar. From there, you can create a new version, name it, and add a description. For example, if you are working on a website design, you can create a version for the homepage, another for the about page, and so on. This way, you can track changes and manage different iterations of your design.

History

History in Figma allows you to view and revert to previous states of your design. This feature records every change made to your file, providing a detailed log of actions. You can navigate through the history to see how your design evolved and revert to any point in time. This is invaluable for collaborative projects where multiple designers are working simultaneously.

To access the History, click on the "History" tab in the right-hand panel. You can then scroll through the timeline to see each change and select a specific point to revert to. For instance, if you accidentally delete an element, you can use the History to restore it to its previous state. This tool is akin to a time machine that allows you to travel back to any moment in your design process.

Examples and Analogies

Version Control

Think of Version Control as creating different drafts of a document. Each draft represents a version of your work, and you can compare and switch between them as needed. For example, if you are writing a report, you can save different versions for the introduction, body, and conclusion. This ensures that you can review and revise each section independently.

History

Consider History as the undo function on steroids. Just as the undo function allows you to revert to previous states in a document, History in Figma lets you see and restore every change made to your design. For instance, if you are painting a picture, you can use History to undo any brush strokes and see how your artwork evolved over time.