How to create a component retroactively?

This is probably not the quick fix you were hoping for, but here’s how I would solve this problem:

1. Duplicate your object that you want to componetize
2. Convert it to a component & make your updates
3. Create an instance of that component
4. Cut (Ctrl/Cmd + X) the instance
5. Use Find to search for the name of the object (hopefully you didn’t change the name for every version)
6. Select each object, then replace (Shift + Ctrl/Cmd + R) with the instance you cut previously. You can select them all at once or one by one. Doesn’t matter. One is faster, the other is less likely to result in user error.
7. Optional step: for projects with a lot of components, I like to move the master components onto a separate page, much like how Sketch does it natively

Thank you, I will take your advice. You have a great way of explaining things. I think if you made a tutorial on this topic, it would help a lot of people.

Check out my plugin Master, it does this in a single click. 🙂 Master | Figma Community

(post deleted by author)

Creating components retroactively in Figma can be a time-saver and a great way to improve your workflow. To create a component retroactively, simply select the group or object you want to turn into a component and then right-click on it. From the drop-down menu, select “Create Component” and Figma will automatically convert it into a component.

If you’ve made changes to the group or object, don’t worry! Figma will retain all the changes you’ve made and apply them to the new component. This way, you don’t have to start from scratch or recreate any work you’ve already done.

Creating components retroactively is a handy feature that I use often in my own projects. It allows me to quickly turn groups or objects into reusable components without having to create them from scratch.

Thank you Karl Shady

Which drop-down menu, specifically?

Context menu (right click)

Thank you!