Content generation plugins (Lorem ipsum, icons) in Figma - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Content generation plugins help you quickly add placeholder text and icons to your designs. This saves time when you want to show how a dashboard or report will look before real data or images are ready.

When you need to fill a text box with sample text to show layout in a dashboard mockup

When you want to add icons to represent data categories without searching for images

When you want to quickly test how a report looks with different text lengths

When you want to create a prototype with realistic placeholders for client review

When you want to speed up your design process by avoiding manual content creation

Steps

Step 1: Open the Figma file where you want to add placeholder content

- Figma main workspace

Your design canvas is ready for editing

Step 2: Click on the Plugins menu in the top bar

- Top menu bar > Plugins

A dropdown list of installed plugins appears

Step 3: Select 'Lorem Ipsum' plugin from the list

- Plugins dropdown menu

The Lorem Ipsum plugin panel opens on the right side

Step 4: Select the text box where you want to add placeholder text

- Design canvas

The text box is highlighted and ready for input

Step 5: In the Lorem Ipsum plugin panel, choose the amount of text to generate (words, sentences, paragraphs)

- Lorem Ipsum plugin panel

The plugin prepares the requested placeholder text

Step 6: Click the 'Generate' button

- Lorem Ipsum plugin panel

The selected text box fills with placeholder Lorem Ipsum text

Step 7: To add icons, open the Plugins menu again and select an icon plugin like 'Iconify'

- Top menu bar > Plugins > Iconify

Icon plugin panel opens allowing you to search and insert icons

Step 8: Search for an icon keyword and click the icon to insert it into your design

- Icon plugin panel

The chosen icon appears on the canvas where you can move and resize it

Before vs After

Before

A blank text box and empty space on the design canvas

After

The text box contains placeholder Lorem Ipsum text and icons appear in the design representing data categories

Settings Reference

Text amount

📍 Lorem Ipsum plugin panel

Controls how much placeholder text is generated

Default: Paragraphs

Icon search

📍 Icon plugin panel

Finds icons matching your keyword to insert into the design

Common Mistakes

Trying to generate placeholder text without selecting a text box first

The plugin needs a selected text box to know where to insert the text

Always select the text box before generating placeholder text

Inserting icons without checking their size and position

Icons may overlap other elements or be too large for the design

Resize and move icons after insertion to fit the layout properly

Summary

Content generation plugins add placeholder text and icons quickly to your Figma designs

They help you create realistic dashboard mockups before real data is available

Remember to select the right elements before generating content and adjust icons after insertion

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using content generation plugins like Lorem Ipsum and icon plugins in Figma when designing dashboards?

easy

A. To automatically generate final reports from data

B. To connect live data sources to the dashboard

C. To quickly add sample text and icons for layout visualization

D. To create complex data models within Figma

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of content generation plugins

   These plugins add placeholder text and icons to help visualize design before real data is available.

2. Step 2: Identify the main benefit in dashboard design

   They speed up the design process by showing how the layout will look with content.

3. Final Answer:

   To quickly add sample text and icons for layout visualization -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Content generation = sample text + icons [OK]

Hint: Think: placeholder content for design speed [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing content plugins with data connection tools
• Assuming plugins generate real data
• Thinking plugins create final reports

2. Which of the following is the correct way to insert Lorem Ipsum text using a Figma content generation plugin?

easy

A. Right-click on an icon and select 'Add Lorem Ipsum'

B. Draw a shape and the plugin automatically fills it with Lorem Ipsum

C. Paste Lorem Ipsum text manually without using any plugin

D. Select a text box, then choose the Lorem Ipsum plugin and click 'Insert Text'

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the plugin usage process

   Typically, you select a text box and then use the plugin to insert placeholder text.

2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect options

   Shapes don't get text automatically; right-clicking icons doesn't add text; manual pasting is not plugin use.

3. Final Answer:

   Select a text box, then choose the Lorem Ipsum plugin and click 'Insert Text' -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Insert Lorem Ipsum = select text box + plugin [OK]

Hint: Select text box first, then insert text via plugin [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to insert text into shapes automatically
• Using icon context menu for text insertion
• Ignoring the need to select a text box first

3. Given a Figma frame with empty text boxes and icon placeholders, what will happen after applying a Lorem Ipsum plugin and an icon plugin respectively?

medium

A. Text boxes fill with sample text; icon placeholders fill with relevant icons

B. Text boxes remain empty; icon placeholders fill with random colors

C. Text boxes fill with real data; icon placeholders remain unchanged

D. Both text boxes and icons are deleted automatically

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand plugin effects on placeholders

   Lorem Ipsum plugin fills text boxes with sample text; icon plugin replaces placeholders with icons.

2. Step 2: Check other options for correctness

   Text boxes do not stay empty or get real data; icons do not get random colors or get deleted.

3. Final Answer:

   Text boxes fill with sample text; icon placeholders fill with relevant icons -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Plugins fill placeholders correctly [OK]

Hint: Plugins fill placeholders, not delete or leave empty [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting real data instead of sample text
• Thinking icons get random colors instead of icons
• Assuming placeholders get deleted

4. You tried to use an icon plugin in Figma but the icons did not appear after clicking 'Insert'. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The plugin only works with text boxes, not icons

B. No icon placeholder or frame was selected before running the plugin

C. Figma does not support icon plugins

D. The plugin requires internet connection but you are offline

Solution

1. Step 1: Check plugin usage requirements

   Icon plugins need a selected placeholder or frame to know where to insert icons.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

   Plugins do support icons; Figma supports icon plugins; internet may be needed but selection is more common cause.

3. Final Answer:

   No icon placeholder or frame was selected before running the plugin -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Selection required before plugin use [OK]

Hint: Always select target area before plugin insertion [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming plugin works without selection
• Believing Figma lacks icon plugin support
• Ignoring internet connection issues

5. You want to create a professional dashboard mockup quickly using Figma. Which combination of content generation plugins should you use to best simulate real data and visuals?

hard

A. Lorem Ipsum plugin for sample text and an icon plugin for relevant icons

B. Only an icon plugin, ignoring text content

C. A plugin that generates random colors for shapes only

D. Manual typing of text and searching icons online

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify plugins that simulate text and visuals

   Lorem Ipsum provides sample text; icon plugins add meaningful icons to enhance visuals.

2. Step 2: Compare with other options

   Ignoring text or using only colors misses key content; manual typing is slow and inefficient.

3. Final Answer:

   Lorem Ipsum plugin for sample text and an icon plugin for relevant icons -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Best mockup = sample text + icons [OK]

Hint: Combine text and icons plugins for full mockup [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using only icons without text
• Relying on color plugins alone
• Typing content manually wasting time