Locking and unlocking layers is an important part of managing your design workflow. Whether you're working on a complex layout or just want to keep certain elements in place while editing others, knowing how to lock and unlock layers will make your work much smoother. In fact, unlocking elements in a Figma file—such as layers, frames, or objects—isn't complicated, and we'll guide you through the process step by step.
Locking a Layer:
1. Select the layer and right-click.
(Imagine you're working on a design, and you don't want to accidentally move a background element while editing text. This is when locking a layer becomes really useful.)
2. Choose "Lock/Unlock" from the menu.
Once a layer is locked, it will be protected from any accidental changes.
Unlocking a Layer:
To unlock a layer, simply right-click the locked layer again and select "Lock/Unlock." Alternatively, you can go to the right sidebar, where you'll see the lock icon next to the layer. Click the lock icon to unlock it.
If you find that the entire file is locked or certain parts are not editable, unlocking the file or elements works the same way as unlocking layers—just adjust the permissions to restore editing access.
Batch Locking:
Figma also supports batch selection to lock multiple layers at once. Select all the layers you want to lock, right-click, and choose "Lock/Unlock." This feature is especially useful when you need to organize many elements and want to lock them all at once.
Locking/Unlocking Frames, Objects, and Sections:
The process for locking and unlocking frames, objects, or sections is exactly the same as for layers. Simply select the element, right-click, and choose "Lock/Unlock," or use the lock icon in the right sidebar.