To open an exported Figma file, you first need to locate where the file was saved on your computer and then use the appropriate software based on the file format you exported.
Step 1: Locate Your Exported File
Most of the time, Figma exports files directly to your computer's default download location. Finding this folder is the crucial first step to accessing your exported design assets or documents.
- Default Download Folder: As the reference notes, Figma exports files to your computer's default download folder. This folder is typically named "Downloads" and is easily accessible from your user directory on both Windows and macOS operating systems.
- Browser Downloads: If you are using the web version of Figma through a browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, the file might also appear in your browser's download history. You can usually find the file quickly by checking the download bar at the bottom of the browser window or by navigating to your browser's download history menu (often accessed via a three-dot or three-line icon).
Tips for Finding Your File:
- Sort your downloads by date to see the most recent files at the top.
- Look for the filename you specified during the export process. If you didn't specify one, Figma usually uses the layer or object name followed by the file extension.
Step 2: Open the File Based on Its Format
Once you've located the file, the way you open it depends entirely on the export format you chose in Figma. Figma supports various formats suitable for different purposes.
Here's a breakdown of common export formats and how to open them:
| Export Format | Typical Use Cases | How to Open |
|---|---|---|
| PNG | Raster images (with transparency) | Standard image viewers (Windows Photos, macOS Preview), web browsers, image editors. |
| JPG/JPEG | Raster images (without transparency) | Standard image viewers, web browsers, image editors. |
| SVG | Vector graphics | Web browsers, vector graphics editors (Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape, Figma itself), code editors (as text). |
| Documents, presentations | PDF readers (Adobe Acrobat Reader, browsers, built-in OS viewers). | |
| FIG | Native Figma file | Figma application (desktop app or web version). You typically use "File" > "Import" within Figma to open these. |
For most common image formats (PNG, JPG, SVG), simply double-clicking the file in your file explorer (Finder on Mac, File Explorer on Windows) will open it in the default viewer or browser configured on your system. For PDF files, double-clicking will open them in your default PDF reader.
If you exported a .fig file, you will need to import it back into Figma itself. You cannot open a .fig file directly with a standard image viewer or document reader.
By first confirming the download location and then identifying the file format, you can easily access and open your exported Figma assets using the appropriate software.
