Figma Global Styles and Variables: A Comprehensive Guide

Designing with Figma has been revolutionized with the introduction of styles and variables. These features make it possible to create more flexible and dynamic designs in a streamlined manner. This article dives deep into these features, breaking down their usage, benefits, and how they can be leveraged by designers and developers alike.

Understanding Styles and Variables in Figma

Figma employs two key elements in the form of styles and variables. Styles store a composite of different values. If a variable has multiple values (modes), it can only express one value at a time¹. For example, color variables, number variables, string variables, and Boolean variables are all supported in Figma².

A Style in Figma is essentially a saved property or a collection of properties. These can range from color, typography to effects. The real power comes from the fact that they can be reused across multiple elements in your design file³.

On the other hand, Variables in Figma are a new feature that allows users to store a value (like a number, color, or string) and then use that value throughout their designs³. This is similar to variables in programming and it makes design systems in Figma more powerful and easier to manage³.

To better understand the differences and similarities between the two, consider the analogy of a CSS class (Styles) and a CSS variable (Variables). A class can contain multiple styles, and those styles can be applied to multiple elements. A variable, on the other hand, stores a specific value that can be used in different places¹.

Converting Styles to Variables

With the advent of plugins, Figma has provided tools like the Styles to Variables Converter that assists in transforming your color styles into new Figma variables⁴. This reflects their structure, names, and descriptions⁴.

Variables to Code

Another innovative plugin in the Figma community is the Global Style to Code. It allows you to convert styles to code in several ways, such as Javascript object style and CSS variable⁵.

Putting Styles and Variables to Use

Let's take an example scenario where you are designing a website and you have defined a global color palette. By using color variables, you can reference these in multiple places in your design. If at some point you decide to change a color, all you have to do is update the variable and all instances where the variable is used will be updated³.

Figma and Text To Design

Figma styles and variables offer multiple benefits, but what if you want to convert your text descriptions into design in Figma? That's where Text To Design comes in.

With Text To Design, your design process is accelerated, freeing up more time to focus on creative tasks. This tool is great for designers, developers, and creative teams alike, and it complements Figma's features such as styles and variables.

Conclusion

Embracing the use of styles and variables in Figma can transform your workflow, improve consistency, and enhance your design system. It is a valuable skill for every Figma user, from the novice to the seasoned professional.

Head over to Text To Design to explore this innovative tool and see how it can supercharge your Figma workflow.

Footnotes

1. The difference between variables and styles – Figma Learn - Help ↩ ↩²

2. Overview of variables, collections, and modes – Figma Learn - Help ↩

3. A Guide to Variables in Figma ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

4. Styles to Variables Converter | Figma ↩ ↩²

5. global style to code | Figma ↩