You can restore a deleted page or file in Figma through several methods, depending on whether an entire file was deleted, or just a page within an active file. This includes recovering files from the Trash, utilizing the undo command for recent changes, or reverting to a previous version from the file's version history.
Restoring a Deleted Figma File (and its Pages) from Trash
If an entire Figma file, which contained your crucial pages, was deleted and sent to the Trash, you can easily recover it. Restoring the file will bring back all the pages it contained at the time of deletion.
To restore a deleted file:
- Navigate to the File Browser: From your Figma dashboard, ensure you are in the file browser view.
- Access the Trash: On the left sidebar of the file browser, click on the Trash option. This displays all files that have been deleted.
- Locate Your File: Browse through the items in the Trash to find the specific Figma file you wish to restore.
- Restore the File: Right-click on the file you want to recover. A context menu will appear.
- Select Restore: From the context menu, choose Restore. The file will then be moved out of the Trash and back to its original location (or your drafts).
For more details on managing deleted files, refer to the Figma Help Center on Trash (example link).
Restoring a Deleted Page Within an Active Figma File
If you've accidentally deleted a single page within an open and active Figma file, rather than deleting the entire file, there are specific methods to bring it back.
Using Undo (Ctrl/Cmd + Z)
The quickest way to restore a recently deleted page is by using the undo command. This is effective immediately after the deletion.
- On Windows: Press
Ctrl + Z - On Mac: Press
Cmd + Z
Repeating the command can revert multiple actions in sequence, so you might need to press it a few times until your page reappears.
Accessing Version History
Figma's robust version history feature is invaluable for recovering pages deleted in the past or for reverting to an earlier state of your file. Every significant change is automatically saved, and you can also manually save versions.
Here’s how to use version history to restore a page:
- Open Your Figma File: Launch the file where the page was deleted.
- Access Version History:
- Click the Figma icon (main menu) in the top-left corner.
- Navigate to
File>Show version history. - Alternatively, click the clock icon (History) next to the file name in the header.
- Browse Versions: The Version History sidebar will appear on the right, showing a timeline of saved versions. Each entry represents a point in time when changes were saved.
- Identify the Correct Version:
- Click on different versions in the sidebar to preview the file's state at that time. Look for a version that existed before your page was deleted.
- Tip: Auto-saved versions are labeled, and manually saved versions (with descriptions) can make it easier to pinpoint the right state.
- Restore or Copy the Page:
- Option A: Restore the Entire File: If you want to revert the entire file to an earlier state, click the three-dot menu next to the desired version and select Restore this version. This will make that version the current live file.
- Option B: Copy Specific Content: If you only need to recover the deleted page without reverting the entire file, preview the older version, select the deleted page (or its contents) from the canvas, copy it (
Ctrl/Cmd + C), then return to your current file and paste it (Ctrl/Cmd + V).
For detailed guidance on managing file versions, consult the Figma Help Center on Version History (example link).
Practical Tips for Preventing Data Loss
- Save Manually: While Figma auto-saves, occasionally saving a named version (File > Save to Version History) can create clear recovery points.
- Duplicate Important Pages: Before making significant changes or deleting content, consider duplicating critical pages.
- Regularly Review Trash: Periodically check your Trash to ensure no critical files are accidentally left there for too long.
