Variant properties (boolean, enum) in Figma - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a boolean variant property in Figma?

A boolean variant property is a true/false switch that controls a simple on/off state of a component variant, like 'Enabled' or 'Disabled'.

beginner

How does an enum variant property differ from a boolean variant property?

An enum variant property lets you choose from multiple named options, like 'Size' with values 'Small', 'Medium', or 'Large', instead of just true/false.

beginner

Why use variant properties in Figma components?

Variant properties help organize different states or versions of a component in one place, making design faster and consistent.

beginner

Give an example of a boolean variant property in a button component.

A boolean variant property could be 'Pressed' with values true or false to show if the button is pressed or not.

beginner

What is a practical use of enum variant properties in UI design?

Enum variant properties let you switch between multiple styles like 'Color' with options 'Primary', 'Secondary', and 'Tertiary' easily within one component.

Which of these is a boolean variant property?

A Enabled with options true or false

B Size with options Small, Medium, Large

C Color with options Red, Blue, Green

D Shape with options Circle, Square

Boolean variant properties have only two states: true or false, like 'Enabled'.

What type of variant property would you use to select between multiple button sizes?

A Enum

B Number

C Boolean

D Text

Enum variant properties let you pick from multiple named options, like sizes.

Why are variant properties useful in Figma?

A They replace the need for components

B They create separate files for each component state

C They automatically generate code

D They organize different component states in one place

Variant properties group different states or versions of a component together for easier design.

If a variant property has options 'On' and 'Off', what type is it?

A Number

B Enum

C Boolean

D Text

Boolean variant properties represent two states, often true/false or on/off.

Which variant property type allows more than two options?

A Boolean

B Enum

C Binary

D Toggle

Enum variant properties can have multiple named options beyond just two.

Explain the difference between boolean and enum variant properties in Figma and give an example of each.

Think about true/false versus multiple choices.

Describe how variant properties help improve component design and workflow in Figma.

Consider how grouping states in one component helps.

Practice

1.

What is the main purpose of variant properties in Figma components?

easy

A. To create different versions of a component without duplicating it

B. To add animations to components

C. To export components as images

D. To change the color of a component automatically

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand variant properties

   Variant properties allow you to manage multiple versions of a component in one place.

2. Step 2: Identify the benefit

   This avoids creating many duplicate components and keeps design organized.

3. Final Answer:

   To create different versions of a component without duplicating it -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Variant properties = different versions without duplicates [OK]

Hint: Variants group versions to avoid duplicates [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking variants add animations
• Confusing variants with export options
• Believing variants change colors automatically

2.

Which of the following is the correct way to define a boolean variant property in Figma?

{
  "property": "isActive",
  "type": "boolean",
  "values": [true, false]
}

easy

A. Incorrect because boolean values should be strings

B. Correct syntax for a boolean variant property

C. Incorrect because values array should have more than two options

D. Incorrect because property name must be numeric

Solution

1. Step 1: Check property type

   The type is set to "boolean", which is correct for true/false values.

2. Step 2: Check values array

   The values array contains true and false, which are the two valid boolean options.

3. Final Answer:

   Correct syntax for a boolean variant property -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Boolean variant = true/false values [OK]

Hint: Boolean variants always have true and false values [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using strings instead of boolean true/false
• Adding more than two values for boolean
• Using numbers as property names

3.

Given this enum variant property definition:

{
  "property": "size",
  "type": "enum",
  "values": ["small", "medium", "large"]
}

What will be the selected variant if the property size is set to "medium"?

medium

A. The component variant with size set to "medium" will be shown

B. An error will occur because "medium" is not a boolean

C. The component will default to "small" size

D. The component will show all sizes at once

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand enum variant property

   Enum properties let you pick one option from a list of named values.

2. Step 2: Check the selected value

   Setting size to "medium" selects the variant with that exact value.

3. Final Answer:

   The component variant with size set to "medium" will be shown -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Enum property selects one named option [OK]

Hint: Enum picks one named option from list [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing enum with boolean type
• Expecting multiple variants to show
• Assuming default is always first value

4.

Identify the error in this variant property definition:

{
  "property": "visible",
  "type": "boolean",
  "values": ["true", "false"]
}

medium

A. Values array must have more than two options

B. Property name cannot be "visible"

C. Boolean values should be true and false without quotes

D. Type should be "enum" for these values

Solution

1. Step 1: Check boolean values

   Boolean variant values must be the boolean literals true and false, not strings.

2. Step 2: Identify the mistake

   Using "true" and "false" as strings is incorrect syntax for boolean type.

3. Final Answer:

   Boolean values should be true and false without quotes -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Boolean values = true/false literals [OK]

Hint: Boolean values never use quotes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using strings instead of boolean literals
• Changing property name unnecessarily
• Confusing boolean with enum type

5.

You want to create a Figma component with a variant property theme that can be either "light" or "dark", and another boolean variant property disabled. How should you define these variant properties?

hard

A. { "property": "theme", "type": "enum", "values": [true, false] }, { "property": "disabled", "type": "boolean", "values": ["light", "dark"] }

B. { "property": "theme", "type": "boolean", "values": ["light", "dark"] }, { "property": "disabled", "type": "enum", "values": [true, false] }

C. { "property": "theme", "type": "boolean", "values": [true, false] }, { "property": "disabled", "type": "boolean", "values": ["disabled", "enabled"] }

D. { "property": "theme", "type": "enum", "values": ["light", "dark"] }, { "property": "disabled", "type": "boolean", "values": [true, false] }

Solution

1. Step 1: Define enum property for theme

   The theme property has multiple named options, so it should be an enum with values "light" and "dark".

2. Step 2: Define boolean property for disabled

   The disabled property is true or false, so it should be boolean with values true and false.

3. Final Answer:

   { "property": "theme", "type": "enum", "values": ["light", "dark"] }, { "property": "disabled", "type": "boolean", "values": [true, false] } -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Enum for multiple options, boolean for true/false [OK]

Hint: Enum = multiple named options, Boolean = true/false [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Mixing enum and boolean types incorrectly
• Using strings for boolean values
• Assigning wrong values to properties