Troubleshooting Framer Templates: Component not working when pasted

Going all in into the world of low-code development as a newbie (or even a seasoned professional) can be both exciting and challenging. Framer, with its array of beautiful templates, provides a head start to creating stunning user interfaces without diving deep into code. However, as a fellow beginner, I've encountered a common issue that often leads to frustration: some portions of downloaded Framer templates might not work as expected.

In this blog post, we'll delve into what Framer is, where to find its templates, why you might only want to use specific sections, and how to troubleshoot issues based on my personal experience.

Understanding Framer and Its Templates

Framer is a powerful tool that empowers designers and developers to create interactive and visually appealing user interfaces. It's a low-code platform that offers a wide range of pre-designed templates, saving you valuable time and effort. These templates are like blueprints for your projects, helping you kickstart your design process without starting from scratch.

Finding Beautiful Framer Templates

To get started with Framer, you can visit their official website or explore other platforms within design communities. Framer's website often features an assortment of templates created by both the Framer team and the community. These templates showcase various design styles and functionalities, providing you with a plethora of options to choose from.

Selecting Specific Template Sections

While Framer templates offer complete designs, you might find yourself needing only specific sections or components to integrate into your own project. This is where the copy-paste approach becomes handy. However, this is also where challenges might arise. One of the common pitfalls is assuming that copying a section directly will seamlessly work within your project.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Why is the copy/pasted frame from a template not working on my page in Framer?

Based on my personal experience, one common stumbling block I encountered was when certain template sections didn't function as expected. After HOURS of frustration, I discovered a key insight: the "overflow" property on the page was set to "hidden," which caused the effect from the template to not work as expected when pasted onto my page. In the dropdown, I changed the overflow to "visible" and the frame worked as it did in the template. This highlights the importance of understanding the intricate details of the template's structure.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to troubleshoot such issues:

Inspect the Structure: Begin by examining the structure of the template you're using. Understand how different components are nested within each other.

Check Component Properties: Pay close attention to properties like "overflow," "visibility," and "position" of the relevant components. These properties can significantly affect the visibility and behavior of the template sections.

Compare with Documentation: If available, refer to the documentation or user guides provided by Framer. These resources can shed light on specific properties and their expected behaviors.

Experiment and Test: Don't hesitate to experiment with different property values. For instance, in my case, changing the "overflow" property from "hidden" to "visible" brought the hidden sections to light, but this was after what felt like hours trying to troubleshoot and not finding the answers I was looking. Hopefully, this little blog post saves you the time!

Reach Out for Help: If you're still stuck, don't hesitate to ask for help. Online forums, communities, and even Framer's support channels can provide valuable insights from experienced users. I felt that my issue was so strange and specific that I didn't reach out for help sooner when I should have!

Alright, that's it for now. I'll add more tips as I continue to learn and hopefully they will be useful for you!

Navigating the world of low-code development through platforms like Framer can be immensely rewarding. By understanding the intricacies of template structures, component properties, and troubleshooting techniques, you can overcome challenges that arise when integrating template sections into your projects. Remember, every hurdle you overcome adds to your skillset as a low-code developer.

Happy (non)coding, and may your Framer journey be both creative and problem-solving!