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sketch symbol override not working
HeyBraza watches your screen, spots why the override won't stick, and points at the right field in the inspector.
you change a symbol's text or icon override and it won't apply - or the field isn't even there. it's almost always the layer name, a locked override, or a nested symbol of the wrong size, not a bug. here's how to find which.
short answer
overrides only ever appear in the inspector - you can't edit an instance directly. if one is missing, the source layer is locked or hidden; if a symbol swap won't take, it's a size mismatch, since only same-size symbols show in the nested-symbols list.
or do it yourself
- 1select the symbol instance and open the inspector - overrides only appear here, never by editing the instance directly.
- 2if a text or image override is missing, edit the source and make sure that layer isn't locked or hidden; locked layers don't expose overrides.
- 3for a swap that won't take, use the 'nested symbols' tab in the inspector and pick a symbol of the same size - mismatched sizes get filtered out.
- 4to edit one instance freely instead, choose 'layer' > 'symbol' > 'detach from symbol' (cmd-shift-y).
- 5still stuck? cmd-click into the source to confirm the layer you're overriding actually exists and is named, then return to the instance.
steps last checked
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downloadcommon questions
why don't my symbols show up in the override list?
sketch only offers symbols that match the slot's dimensions; resize the symbol you want to swap in so it matches, and it'll appear.
why does my override reset when i update the symbol?
usually the overridden layer was renamed or removed in the source - overrides bind to layer names, so a rename breaks the link.