Text styles in Figma - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Text styles let you save and reuse font settings like size, weight, and color. This helps keep your reports and dashboards looking consistent and professional without changing each text box one by one.

When you want all titles in your dashboard to have the same font size and color.

When you need to update the font style across multiple report pages quickly.

When you want to keep your text formatting consistent for headings, labels, and body text.

When collaborating with others to ensure everyone uses the same text styles.

When creating templates that require uniform text appearance.

Steps

Step 1: Select a text layer

- Canvas

The text layer is highlighted and its properties appear in the right sidebar

Step 2: Set the font, size, weight, and color

- Text section in the right sidebar

The text layer updates with the chosen font settings

Step 3: Click the four dots icon next to the Text section

- Right sidebar

The Text Styles panel opens showing existing styles

Step 4: Click the '+' button to create a new text style

- Text Styles panel

A dialog appears to name the new text style

Step 5: Type a descriptive name and click Create style

- New text style dialog

The new text style is saved and appears in the Text Styles panel

Step 6: Select another text layer and click the four dots icon

- Right sidebar Text section

The Text Styles panel opens

Step 7: Click the saved text style name

- Text Styles panel

The selected text layer updates to use the saved text style

Before vs After

Before

Multiple text layers have different fonts, sizes, and colors causing inconsistent look

After

All text layers use the same saved text style, showing uniform font, size, and color

Settings Reference

Font family

📍 Right sidebar > Text section

Choose the font type for your text

Default: Depends on the selected font

Font size

📍 Right sidebar > Text section

Set the size of the text

Default: 12 px

Font weight

📍 Right sidebar > Text section

Set how thick or bold the text appears

Default: Regular

Text color

📍 Right sidebar > Fill section

Set the color of the text

Default: Black

Text style name

📍 Text Styles panel

Identify and reuse saved text styles

Default: None

Common Mistakes

Changing text properties on one layer without creating or applying a text style

This causes inconsistent formatting and makes updates slow because each layer must be changed separately

Create a text style and apply it to all relevant text layers so changes update everywhere at once

Naming text styles with unclear or generic names like 'Style 1'

It becomes hard to remember what each style is for, leading to confusion and misuse

Use clear descriptive names like 'Heading Large Bold' or 'Body Text Regular' for easy identification

Summary

Text styles save font settings to keep text consistent across your design.

Apply text styles to multiple text layers to update them all at once.

Name text styles clearly to avoid confusion when reusing them.

Practice

1. What is the main benefit of using Text Styles in Figma for a business dashboard?

easy

A. They automatically translate text into multiple languages.

B. They keep text consistent and easy to update across the design.

C. They create animations for text elements.

D. They convert text into images for faster loading.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of text styles

   Text styles are used to keep font, size, color, and spacing consistent across all text elements.

2. Step 2: Identify the benefit for dashboards

   Consistent text makes dashboards look professional and allows easy updates by changing the style once.

3. Final Answer:

   They keep text consistent and easy to update across the design. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Text styles = Consistency and easy updates [OK]

Hint: Text styles = consistent fonts and easy global updates [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking text styles translate or animate text
• Confusing text styles with images or icons
• Believing text styles affect loading speed

2. Which of the following is the correct way to apply a text style to a text layer in Figma?

easy

A. Select the text layer, then choose the style from the Text Styles dropdown in the right panel.

B. Right-click the text layer and select 'Convert to Vector'.

C. Drag and drop the style file onto the text layer.

D. Double-click the text layer and type the style name manually.

Solution

1. Step 1: Locate how to apply text styles in Figma

   Text styles are applied by selecting the text layer and picking the style from the Text Styles dropdown in the right sidebar.

2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect options

   Right-click convert to vector changes text to shapes, drag and drop styles is not supported, typing style name manually does not apply styles.

3. Final Answer:

   Select the text layer, then choose the style from the Text Styles dropdown in the right panel. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Apply text style = Select layer + choose style dropdown [OK]

Hint: Apply styles via right panel dropdown after selecting text [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to convert text to vector to apply styles
• Dragging files instead of using dropdown
• Typing style names instead of selecting

3. Given a text style named Heading Large with font size 24 and color blue, what happens if you update the font size to 28 in the style?

medium

A. The font size change does not affect any text layers.

B. Only new text layers created after the change use font size 28.

C. Existing text layers keep font size 24, new layers use 28.

D. All text layers using Heading Large update their font size to 28 automatically.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand how text styles propagate changes

   When you update a text style, all text layers linked to that style update automatically to reflect the change.

2. Step 2: Confirm effect on existing layers

   Existing text layers using the style inherit the new font size immediately without manual changes.

3. Final Answer:

   All text layers using Heading Large update their font size to 28 automatically. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Update style = auto update all linked text layers [OK]

Hint: Changing style updates all linked text layers instantly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking only new layers update
• Believing existing layers keep old size
• Assuming manual update needed per layer

4. You applied a text style to a label but the font color did not change as expected. What is the most likely reason?

medium

A. The text layer has local overrides that prevent style color from applying.

B. The text style was deleted after applying.

C. Figma does not support color changes in text styles.

D. The text layer is locked and cannot update.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check for local overrides on the text layer

   If a text layer has local formatting changes (overrides), these can block style properties like color from applying.

2. Step 2: Understand why other options are incorrect

   Deleting style after applying breaks link but usually removes style; Figma supports color in styles; locked layers can still show style changes visually.

3. Final Answer:

   The text layer has local overrides that prevent style color from applying. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Local overrides block style color changes [OK]

Hint: Check for local overrides blocking style updates [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming style deletion causes no color change
• Believing Figma can't style colors
• Ignoring local overrides on text

5. You want to create a dashboard with clear hierarchy: headings, subheadings, body text, and labels. How should you organize your text styles for best BI design practice?

hard

A. Apply random fonts and sizes to make the dashboard colorful.

B. Use one text style for all text and manually adjust sizes per layer.

C. Create separate named text styles for each role (e.g., Heading, Subheading, Body, Label) with distinct fonts and sizes.

D. Create text styles only for headings and leave other text unstyled.

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the need for clear text hierarchy

   Dashboards need clear visual hierarchy to guide users, so different text roles require distinct styles.

2. Step 2: Organize text styles accordingly

   Creating separate named styles for headings, subheadings, body, and labels ensures consistency and easy updates.

3. Final Answer:

   Create separate named text styles for each role (e.g., Heading, Subheading, Body, Label) with distinct fonts and sizes. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Separate named styles = clear hierarchy and consistency [OK]

Hint: Name styles by role for clear, consistent dashboard text [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using one style for all text causing confusion
• Styling only headings leaving others inconsistent
• Random fonts and sizes reduce readability