These Figma Shortcuts Have Improved My Workflow, You Should Try Them Too
Tags: ui, productdesign, figma, uiuxdesign
Published: 2024-05-15 08:26:48

---
title: These Figma Shortcuts Have Improved My Workflow, You Should Try Them Too
published: true
date: 2024-05-14 20:05:37 UTC
tags: ui,productdesign,figma,uiuxdesign
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---

#### Designing interfaces in Figma can become very time-consuming, especially if it’s a large project and things must be done quickly.

![](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*Z_dlfoJB82fbYzjjArShkg.jpeg)

I recently came across these Figma shortcuts that have drastically improved my speed and workflow.

### 1. Toggle between Layers and the Assets panels

![Toggle between Layers and Assets panels in Figma](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*dqxukhjEIAYX62tV84YHMg.gif)
_Toggle between Layers and Assets panels in Figma_

Mousing around toggling the _Layers_ and _Assets_ panels could become repetitive and time-consuming, but there’s a faster way to do so — without moving your mouse!

Just use the shortcuts **Alt + 2** (or **⌥ + 2** on Mac) to switch to the assets panel, and **Alt + 1** ( **⌥ + 1** on Mac) to switch back to the layers panel. _Quick and easy!_

### 2. Toggle between the Design and Prototype panels

![Toggle between Design and Prototype panels in Figma](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*nrfgK9TaNlfLlfwbKoYr4w.gif)
_Toggle between Design and Prototype panels in Figma_

This is almost the same as the previous example, however, you may be using this more often as you prototype your designs.

So, instead of moving your mouse to the top right of your screen to switch panels, use the shortcut **Alt + 9** (or **⌥ + 9** on Mac) to switch to _Prototype_ and back to the _Design_ panel with **Alt + 8** (or **⌥ + 8** on Mac).

**_Note_** : this can also be done using another shortcut **Shift + E.**

### 3. Easily search for saved plugins

![Quick search shortcut for plugins in Figma](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*sxcU57BP7HRY2Kdi67cU7g.jpeg)
_Quick search shortcut for plugins in Figma_

Before knowing this shortcut to access saved plugins, I’d go to the plugins side menu, and scroll through the list until I found the one I would use. Also, when reusing the plugin, I’d repeat the same process…again.

However, those days are now officially over with this shortcut. The next time you want to access your saved or recently used plugins, try **Ctrl + /** (or **⌘ + /** on Mac). Type in the name of your desired saved plugins and you should see them right there!

For recently used plugins, use this instead: **Alt + Ctrl + P** (or **⌘ + ⌥ + P** on Mac).

### 4. Align selections to any side of a frame

![Align a selection to any side of a frame in Figma](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*bjfhg5DxvlMHsPnUNQR5Cw.gif)
_Align a selection to any side of a frame in Figma_

When creating frames, shapes, text and components in Figma (within a frame), there is the need to align these selections to either the left, top, right or bottom of a frame.

The go-to approach is to use the alignment tools in the top right of the Design panel. However, there are faster ways to do so.

If you game on a computer using a keyboard, you may be familiar with these keys: **_W_** , **_A_** , **_S_** , and  **_D._**

If you don’t game, that’s alright too. Here’s how these keys help to align to any side of a frame:

- **_Alt (_**_or_ **⌥_) + W_** — Aligns to the **top** of the frame
- **_Alt (_**_or_ **⌥_) + A_** — Aligns to the **left** of the frame
- **_Alt (_**_or_ **⌥_) + S_** — Aligns to the **bottom** of the frame
- **_Alt (_**_or_ **⌥_) + D_** — Aligns to the **right** of the frame

### 5. Align horizontally and vertically

![Align selections horizontally and vertically in Figma](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*txxIZC8VzL4PJTIOTquWvw.gif)
_Align selections horizontally and vertically in Figma_

This has been a valuable shortcut when aligning horizontally or vertically. Use the shortcuts **Alt + H** (or **Option + H** on Mac) to align horizontally and **Alt + V** (or **Option + V** on Mac) to align vertically.

This saves a lot of time when aligning assets in a design, without mousing all over align via the _Design_ panel.

_These are a few shortcuts that have been a timesaver for me. I hope you find value in this article and if you do, please share and leave me a comment below._

Thanks for reading. _Ciao 😀_