To effectively "remove" constraints in Figma, you can reset them to the default "Left" and "Top" settings. While Figma doesn't have a single button to completely remove all constraint types in the sense of setting them to 'None' for standard layers within a frame (like you might for Auto Layout items), setting to Left/Top acts as the baseline, fixing the layer's position relative to the top-left corner of its parent frame.
This process is straightforward:
- Select Your Layer: Choose the specific layer, group, or component instance in the canvas or the Layers panel where you want to adjust constraints.
- Access Constraints: Navigate to the right-hand sidebar. Look for the "Constraints" section. This section appears when you have a layer selected within a frame or group.
- Set Horizontal Constraint: Within the Constraints section, find the horizontal constraint control. Set this horizontal constraint to
Left. - Set Vertical Constraint: Next, find the vertical constraint control. Set this vertical constraint to
Top.
Why Setting to Left/Top Works
Setting both the horizontal and vertical constraints to Left and Top respectively fixes the layer's position relative to the top-left corner of its parent container. This means:
- The layer's horizontal position is pinned only to the left edge.
- The layer's vertical position is pinned only to the top edge.
- The layer's size remains fixed and does not scale or adjust based on the parent's dimensions.
This setup effectively removes any responsive behaviors like scaling, pinning to other edges (Right, Bottom, Center), or fixing dimensions relative to the parent size. It's the most basic constraint setting, making the layer behave as if it has no active responsiveness.
Visual Guide to Constraints Panel
The Constraints section in the right sidebar typically looks something like this:
| Axis | Control Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Horizontal | Left, Right, Left & Right, Center, Scale |
How the layer behaves horizontally when the parent frame resizes. |
| Vertical | Top, Bottom, Top & Bottom, Center, Scale |
How the layer behaves vertically when the parent frame resizes. |
By setting both controls to Left and Top, you are ensuring the layer maintains its initial distance from the parent frame's top-left corner, regardless of how the frame is resized. This is the method described in the provided references to achieve the effect of removing complex constraints.
