Feature Guide
Feature Guide
Feature Guide
Feature Guide
4 min read
Working with Code Overrides in Framer
How to Extend Framer With Advanced Behavior, Custom Logic, and Dynamic Interactions
Benjamin Libor
Benjamin Libor
Benjamin Libor
Benjamin Libor
Key value of this Guide
Extend Framer with custom behavior, logic, and dynamic interactions using Code Overrides
Extend Framer with custom behavior, logic, and dynamic interactions using Code Overrides
Extend Framer with custom behavior, logic, and dynamic interactions using Code Overrides
Extend Framer with custom behavior, logic, and dynamic interactions using Code Overrides
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Working With Code Overrides in Framer
Code Overrides are one of the most powerful developer features in Framer. They allow you to selectively modify the behavior, properties, and interactivity of any layer on the canvas using small snippets of React code.
Unlike Code Components—which render entire UI elements—Overrides act like wrappers around existing layers, injecting logic without replacing the component structure.
This article explains:
what Code Overrides are
when (and when not) to use them
how Overrides compare to Components, Fetch & Plugins
how to create your first Override
best practices for writing production-ready Overrides
common patterns, examples, and use cases
1. What Are Code Overrides?
A Code Override is a tiny React Higher-Order Component (HOC) that wraps any layer in Framer and changes how it behaves on your published site. Overrides are:
applied directly to any layer via the right-hand properties panel
active only in Preview and on the published site
written in React 18
capable of modifying props, injecting logic, and listening for events
Because Overrides wrap existing layers, they are ideal for small, targeted enhancements rather than full component definitions.
2. When You Don’t Need a Code Override
Framer has rapidly expanded capabilities that reduce the need for Overrides in many cases.
Framer recommends avoiding Overrides if the same is achievable with:
Effects
For animations & interactive transitions
→ use Effects instead of code
Components
For user interactions, toggles, sliders, carousels, etc.
→ use Components instead of Overrides
Fetch
For dynamic content or API requests
→ use Fetch instead of Overrides
Overrides are now reserved for:
programmatic property manipulation
adding custom HTML attributes
adding custom CSS rules
injecting data into any layer
hooking into advanced interactions
fine-grained control not possible visually
3. How Code Overrides Fit Into the Developer Tooling
Feature | Best For | Example Uses |
|---|---|---|
Code Overrides | Modify existing layers | Change opacity, log clicks, update props |
Code Components | Build new UI or custom logic | Custom form inputs, animated SVGs |
Fetch | Use API data visually | Weather data, location-based content |
Plugins | Extend the Editor itself | Sync CMS, import assets |
Custom Site Code | Inject full-site scripts | Analytics, structured data |
Overrides = micro-logic applied to visual layers
Components = full UI elements
4. Getting Started: Creating a Code Override
You can create Code Overrides directly inside Framer:
Select any layer
Go to the right-hand panel → Code Overrides
Click + Add File
Framer generates an
Examples.tsxfile with basic samplesWrite your own override or duplicate existing ones
Once created, your override appears in the panel and can be applied to any layer.
5. Anatomy of a Basic Override
Here is the simplest possible Override:
Key concepts:
Overrides must use
forwardRef(React 18 requirement)Always spread existing props (
{...props})Always merge styles instead of replacing them
6. Applying an Override
Select any layer
In the right-hand panel, scroll to Code Overrides
Choose your override from the dropdown
Preview the page to validate behavior
Publish to apply overrides to the live site
Overrides do not modify the canvas preview—only actual runtime.
7. Common Override Patterns & Examples
Below are production-grade patterns used by professional Framer developers.
7.1 Modify Any Property (style, text, etc.)
7.2 Add an Analytics Click Handler
7.3 Add Custom CSS Classes
7.4 Swap Content Based on Time or Locale
7.5 Add Data Attributes for Third-Party Tools
8. Best Practices
To avoid breaking the layer, follow these guidelines:
✔ Always spread props
Overrides replace default props unless spread.
✔ Use forwardRef on every override
Required for links, animations, effects, and DOM access.
✔ Avoid overriding layout styles
Padding / margin overrides break responsive layouts.
✔ Don’t replace children unless intentional
Some layers have generated children—overriding removes them.
✔ Keep Overrides small
If it grows beyond a few lines → create a Code Component.
9. When to Use Code Overrides (Real Scenarios)
Great use cases:
add tracking or analytics handlers
add custom data attributes
inject conditional styles
add keyboard navigation
modify a component based on state
create micro-animations
integrate A/B test conditions
dynamically override text/content
Poor use cases:
full component logic
large API integrations
heavy DOM manipulation
layout changes
anything better suited to Components or Fetch
10. Conclusion: Overrides Are Precision Tools
Code Overrides are ideal for:
micro-logic
enhanced interactions
optional customization
lightweight programmatic control
They are not replacements for Components—but a surgical tool used alongside Framer’s visual system.
Whether you're adding analytics hooks, small effects, or programmatic logic, Code Overrides give you the flexibility to extend Framer without rewriting UI.
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Insights
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Allsite designs and builds high-end, production-ready websites - from strategy and design direction to Framer development and launch. The website is treated as a core business asset: product narrative, trust layer, and conversion surface in one.
Yes - brand work as it relates to the website. This includes visual identity refinement, design systems, typography, color, layout logic, and tone. Allsite does not position itself as a full-service branding agency - focus beats breadth.
Framer enables faster iteration, cleaner handover, and a more modern editing experience - especially for content-driven, design-forward teams. For complex, CMS-heavy, or AI-native products, Framer offers a better balance of flexibility and maintainability.
No. Projects can start from anything - from rough ideas to existing designs. If a Figma file exists, great. If not, design direction and structure are part of the process.
Projects typically start with a short design & strategy phase, followed by design, build, and launch. Most projects take 3–6 weeks, depending on scope and feedback speed.
Send a short message with: What you’re building Why now A rough scope or goal That’s enough to start the conversation.
Allsite designs and builds high-end, production-ready websites - from strategy and design direction to Framer development and launch. The website is treated as a core business asset: product narrative, trust layer, and conversion surface in one.
Yes - brand work as it relates to the website. This includes visual identity refinement, design systems, typography, color, layout logic, and tone. Allsite does not position itself as a full-service branding agency - focus beats breadth.
Framer enables faster iteration, cleaner handover, and a more modern editing experience - especially for content-driven, design-forward teams. For complex, CMS-heavy, or AI-native products, Framer offers a better balance of flexibility and maintainability.
No. Projects can start from anything - from rough ideas to existing designs. If a Figma file exists, great. If not, design direction and structure are part of the process.
Projects typically start with a short design & strategy phase, followed by design, build, and launch. Most projects take 3–6 weeks, depending on scope and feedback speed.
Send a short message with: What you’re building Why now A rough scope or goal That’s enough to start the conversation.
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