Text tool basics in Figma - Real Business Scenario

Scenario Mode

👤 Your Role: You are a business analyst creating a sales report dashboard in Figma.

📋 Request: Your manager wants you to add clear, readable text labels for titles, data values, and legends on the dashboard.

📊 Data: You have a dashboard layout with charts and tables but no text labels yet.

🎯 Deliverable: Add text labels using Figma's Text tool with proper font size, weight, and alignment to make the dashboard easy to understand.

Sample Data

Element	Position	Content
Title	Top center	Monthly Sales Report
Chart label	Above bar chart	Sales by Region
Legend	Right side of chart	East, West, North, South
Data value	On bars	Sales numbers like 1200, 900, 1500

1

Step 1: Select the Text tool from the toolbar in Figma.

Click the 'T' icon or press 'T' on your keyboard to activate the Text tool.

Expected Result

The cursor changes to a text insertion point, ready to type.

2

Step 2: Add the main title text at the top center of the dashboard.

Click on the top center area and type 'Monthly Sales Report'. Set font size to 24pt, font weight to Bold, and center align the text.

Expected Result

The title 'Monthly Sales Report' appears clearly at the top center, large and bold.

3

Step 3: Add the chart label above the bar chart.

Click above the bar chart area and type 'Sales by Region'. Set font size to 18pt, font weight to Semi Bold, and left align the text.

Expected Result

The label 'Sales by Region' appears above the chart, easy to read and aligned left.

4

Step 4: Add the legend text on the right side of the chart.

Click on the right side of the chart and type 'East, West, North, South'. Set font size to 14pt, font weight to Regular, and left align the text.

Expected Result

The legend text appears clearly on the right side, listing the regions.

5

Step 5: Add data value labels on each bar in the chart.

Click on each bar and type the sales number (e.g., '1200'). Set font size to 12pt, font weight to Regular, and center align the text on the bar.

Expected Result

Each bar shows its sales number clearly centered on top.

6

Step 6: Check text readability and alignment across the dashboard.

Ensure all text uses consistent fonts and sizes appropriate for their importance. Adjust spacing if needed.

Expected Result

The dashboard text is clear, consistent, and easy to read.

Final Result

-----------------------------------------
|           Monthly Sales Report         |
|---------------------------------------|
| Sales by Region                       |
|  | 1200 |  900  | 1500 | 1100 |       |
|  | East | West  | North| South|       |
|                                       |
| Legend: East, West, North, South       |
-----------------------------------------

✓The title clearly shows the report purpose.

✓Chart label helps understand the data shown.

✓Legend identifies regions by color.

✓Data values on bars make numbers easy to see.

Bonus Challenge

Use Figma's Text Styles to create reusable text styles for titles, labels, and data values.

Show Hint

Create text styles for each text type and apply them to all text elements to keep consistency and make future edits easier.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of the Text tool in Figma?

easy

A. To add and style words in your design

B. To create shapes and icons

C. To write code for automation

D. To import images into the project

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the Text tool function

   The Text tool is designed to add and style text elements in a design.

2. Step 2: Compare options with the tool's purpose

   Only To add and style words in your design correctly describes adding and styling words, while others describe unrelated functions.

3. Final Answer:

   To add and style words in your design -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Text tool = add and style words [OK]

Hint: Text tool = add and style text elements quickly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Text tool with shape or image tools
• Thinking Text tool writes code
• Assuming Text tool imports images

2. Which of the following is the correct way to create a new text box in Figma?

easy

A. Select the Text tool and click anywhere on the canvas

B. Select the Rectangle tool and drag to create a box

C. Right-click and choose 'Insert Image'

D. Use the Pen tool to draw a text shape

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify how to create text in Figma

   Using the Text tool and clicking on the canvas creates a new text box.

2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect options

   Rectangle tool creates shapes, not text; right-click insert image adds images; Pen tool draws paths, not text boxes.

3. Final Answer:

   Select the Text tool and click anywhere on the canvas -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Text box creation = Text tool click [OK]

Hint: Click with Text tool to start typing [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using shape tools instead of Text tool
• Trying to insert images for text
• Confusing Pen tool with Text tool

3. Given a text box with font size 16 and color black, what happens if you change the font size to 24 and color to blue?

medium

A. Text size stays 16 but color changes to blue

B. Text becomes larger and changes color to blue

C. Text size changes to 24 but color stays black

D. Text disappears from the box

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand font size and color changes

   Changing font size to 24 makes text bigger; changing color to blue updates text color.

2. Step 2: Analyze each option

   Only Text becomes larger and changes color to blue correctly states both size and color change; others miss one or cause incorrect effects.

3. Final Answer:

   Text becomes larger and changes color to blue -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Font size and color change = bigger blue text [OK]

Hint: Font size and color changes affect text appearance directly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming only one property changes
• Thinking text disappears after style change
• Confusing color and size effects

4. You typed text but it is not visible on the canvas. What could be the reason?

medium

A. Text tool was not selected before typing

B. Font size is set to a very large number

C. Text color is set to white on a white background

D. The canvas is locked

Solution

1. Step 1: Check text visibility factors

   If text color matches background (white on white), text is invisible.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

   Large font size makes text visible; typing without Text tool is impossible; locked canvas prevents editing but not visibility.

3. Final Answer:

   Text color is set to white on a white background -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Invisible text = color matches background [OK]

Hint: Check text color vs background for visibility issues [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring color contrast
• Assuming large font hides text
• Not realizing canvas lock affects editing, not visibility

5. You want to create a clear dashboard title using the Text tool. Which combination is best for readability?

hard

A. Font size 24, underline style, red color on red background

B. Font size 12, italic style, light gray color on white background

C. Font size 16, thin weight, bright yellow on white background

D. Font size 32, bold weight, dark color on light background

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify readability factors for titles

   Large font size, bold weight, and strong color contrast improve readability.

2. Step 2: Compare options for best readability

   Font size 32, bold weight, dark color on light background uses large size, bold, and dark on light background, ideal for clarity; others have poor contrast or small size.

3. Final Answer:

   Font size 32, bold weight, dark color on light background -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Readable title = large, bold, high contrast [OK]

Hint: Use big, bold, high-contrast text for titles [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing small or light-colored text for titles
• Ignoring contrast between text and background
• Using styles that reduce clarity like underline on same color