Annotations are a key part of collaborative design — from developer notes and stakeholder feedback to personal reminders. But if you’re updating your layout, you may find yourself asking:
“How do I move annotations in Figma without losing context?”
The answer depends on the type of annotation you’re using. Figma supports several ways to annotate a design — comments, pinned notes, and manual text labels — and each behaves differently when it comes to moving them around.
Let’s break it down.
🎯 1. Moving Figma Comments (Pins)
Figma’s built-in comments are anchored to a specific position or object on the canvas. Once placed, you can’t drag the comment pin itself to a new location directly — but there’s a workaround:
✅ How to move a comment:
- Delete the original comment
- Re-add it in the new location
- Copy-paste the comment text before deleting, if needed
⚠️ Tip: Make sure you’re not in “Comment” mode if you want to move design elements instead of comment pins.
📝 2. Moving Canvas-Based Annotations (Text Layers, Shapes)
Designers often use text boxes, arrows, and highlight frames as annotations embedded directly on the canvas. These behave just like any other design element in Figma — and they’re fully movable.
✅ How to move a text annotation:
- Use the Move tool (V) or drag the object manually
- Select multiple annotations and group or align them as needed
- Consider using Auto Layout if annotations need to stay aligned with components
🔄 Best practice: Create a separate layer or frame for annotations so you can toggle their visibility or export without them.
💬 3. Sticky Notes in FigJam
If you’re using FigJam, Figma’s whiteboard tool, sticky notes can be moved freely by dragging.
✅ To move a sticky note:
- Click and drag it to a new spot
- Use shift+click to select multiple notes
- Use alignment tools to reflow discussion areas
🧠 Sticky notes are great for freeform thinking, but for structured designs, stick to comments or canvas labels.
🛠 Pro Tips for Managing Annotations
| Tip | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Use a dedicated “Annotations” page | Keeps your working file clean |
| Apply consistent text styles | Makes notes easier to read |
| Use colors to indicate priority or type | Example: red for dev notes, yellow for feedback |
| Lock annotation layers when presenting | Prevents accidental movement during review |
🧪 Quick Comparison: Annotation Types
| Annotation Type | Can You Move It? | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Comment Pins | ❌ (Must re-place) | Quick feedback |
| Text Labels | ✅ | Developer notes, static guides |
| Arrows/Shapes | ✅ | Visual callouts |
| Sticky Notes (FigJam) | ✅ | Brainstorming, freeform sessions |
✅ Summary: How to Move Annotations in Figma
- Comment pins can’t be dragged — re-add them manually
- Text notes and shapes are fully movable like any object
- Sticky notes in FigJam are drag-and-drop friendly
- Keep annotations tidy by using a system: colors, layers, or pages
Want more design tips? Visit Designilo.com for everything Figma — from UI tricks to Dev Mode workflows.
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