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There are a few ways to add elements to your design in Subframe: quick insert, the insert tool, and the insert panel.
  1. Select an element on your canvas
  2. Hover over the edges of the selection box
  3. Click the button to open the search popup
  4. Search for and select the element you want to add
  5. The new element will be inserted in the direction you clicked

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Keyboard shortcuts

You can also use these keyboard shortcuts after selecting an element:
  • Quick insert above: Ctrl + I
  • Quick insert below: Ctrl + K
  • Quick insert left: Ctrl + J
  • Quick insert right: Ctrl + L

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Method 2: Insert tool

Press a shortcut to pick up an element, then click on the canvas to drop it in.
  1. Press F to pick up a stack, or T to pick up a text element
  2. Move your cursor over the canvas—a dashed preview follows your cursor and a line marks where the element will be inserted
  3. Click to place the element
  4. Press V or Esc to return to the select tool without inserting
Text elements enter edit mode as soon as they’re placed, so you can start typing right away.

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Method 3: Drag and drop from the Insert panel

  1. Click on the Insert tab in the left panel
  2. Find the element you want to add
  3. Drag it directly onto your canvas

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Tabs

There are two tabs in the Insert panel:
  • Your library contains basic elements like text, images, and icons, as well as components like buttons, inputs from your design system.
  • Snippets contains larger, pre-built compositions like page headers, navigation bars, card layouts, and other complex UI patterns.
Last modified on July 31, 2026