If you are a designer, your projects hold great value. It is important to prioritize their safety and protection in order to avoid any unexpected losses. One way to ensure this is by backing up your Figma files if you use the platform for your design work. Below, we have provided a straightforward, step-by-step guide on how to back up your Figma files.
Why Backup Figma Files?
Figma is a cloud-based design tool, which means your projects are stored on their servers. While this poses various advantages, it also means that you heavily rely on Figma’s services for your file’s safety. Backing up your Figma files gives you a safety net, ensuring that you always have a local copy of your work at hand. In case of service outages, data corruption, or even accidental deletion, a backup can be a lifesaver.
Backing up Figma Files
Currently, Figma does not have an inbuilt system for backing up files. However, you can manually export and save your Figma files to your local storage. This approach may not be as seamless as an auto-backup feature, but it gets the job done.
Step 1: Open the Figma File
Firstly, you need to open the Figma file you wish to backup. Head over to your Figma dashboard and click on the specific file.
Step 2: Export As .fig
Once your file is open, click on the hamburger menu icon (three horizontal lines) located at the top-left corner of the window. From the drop-down menu, click on ‘File’, and then select the ‘Save as .fig’ option.
Step 3: Save the File
The file will then download to your computer. Make sure to save it in a secure location where you store your backups. It’s good practice to name it in a way that helps you identify its contents and creation date easily. Repeat the process for all the files you wish to back up.
Conclusion
Having a backup of your work is vital for every designer. Even though Figma does not currently offer a built-in backup feature, the manual process of downloading and storing your files locally is straightforward. Remember, the effort you put into backing up your files now can save you from potential distress and loss in the future.
Always ensure that you regularly update your backups, particularly after making significant changes to your files. Happy designing!
