Creating links between frames in Figma allows you to simulate navigation and interactivity within your designs, making prototypes much more effective. Here's how you do it:
1. Select the Element to Initiate the Link:
Begin by selecting the specific element within your frame that you want users to click or interact with to trigger the navigation. This could be a button, an image, a text link, or even an entire frame.
2. Access the Prototype Tab:
In the right-hand sidebar, switch from the "Design" tab to the "Prototype" tab. This is where you'll define the interactions and navigation for your design.
3. Create the Interaction:
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Drag a connection: Hover over your selected element, and you'll see a small circle appear on its right side. Click and drag this circle to the target frame you want to link to. Figma will automatically create an interaction arrow.
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Use the interaction details: Alternatively, within the Prototype tab under "Interactions", click the "+" button. Select a trigger (e.g., "On Click," "On Hover," "While Pressing," etc.) and an action ("Navigate To"). Then, choose your destination frame from the dropdown menu.
4. Configure the Interaction Details (Optional but Recommended):
The Prototype tab gives you control over how the navigation occurs:
- Trigger: Specify the user action that activates the link (e.g., "On Click," "On Drag," "Key/Gamepad").
- Action: The most common action is "Navigate To," but you can also choose options like "Open Overlay," "Swap Overlay," "Scroll To," "Close Overlay," "Back," or "Open URL." "Open URL" is useful for linking to external websites.
- Destination: Select the specific frame, scroll position, or external URL you want to link to.
- Animation: Choose an animation style to transition between frames (e.g., "Instant," "Dissolve," "Move In," "Push," "Slide In"). You can also customize the easing and duration of the animation for a smoother user experience.
5. Test Your Links:
Click the "Present" button (top right corner) to enter presentation mode. This allows you to interact with your prototype and test whether your links are working as expected. Make sure to click on the linked elements to see if they navigate to the correct frames.
Example:
Let's say you have a button labeled "Learn More" on your homepage frame and want it to link to an "About Us" frame.
- Select the "Learn More" button.
- Go to the "Prototype" tab.
- Click and drag the connection circle from the button to the "About Us" frame.
- Ensure the interaction is set to "On Click" -> "Navigate To" -> "About Us."
- Choose a transition like "Slide In" for a smooth animation.
- Test your prototype to confirm the button links to the "About Us" page.
By following these steps, you can easily create interactive prototypes in Figma using links between frames.
