Find and replace across files in Figma - Dashboard Guide

Dashboard Mode - Find and replace across files

Goal

Find and replace text or styles across multiple Figma files to keep design consistency and save time.

Sample Data

File Name	Text Layer	Current Text	Style
Homepage.fig	Button Label	Submit	Primary Button
Homepage.fig	Header Title	Welcome	Header Large
Dashboard.fig	Button Label	Submit	Primary Button
Dashboard.fig	Footer Text	Contact us	Footer Small
Profile.fig	Button Label	Submit	Primary Button
Profile.fig	Header Title	Profile	Header Large

Dashboard Components

• KPI Card: Count of files with the text "Submit" = 3
• Text Replacement Summary Table: Shows before and after text for replaced items across files.
• Style Replacement Summary Table: Shows before and after styles if styles are replaced.
• Process Steps Visual: Flowchart showing steps: Select files & layers -> Enter find text -> Enter replace text -> Preview changes -> Apply replace

Dashboard Layout

+----------------------+---------------------------+
|      KPI Card        |    Process Steps Visual    |
|  (Count of "Submit") |  (Find & Replace Flow)    |
+----------------------+---------------------------+
|       Text Replacement Summary Table               |
+----------------------------------------------------+
|       Style Replacement Summary Table              |
+----------------------------------------------------+

Interactivity

User selects files and layers to search. Then enters the text to find and the replacement text. The preview updates the summary tables and KPI card dynamically. Applying changes updates all selected files and layers.

Self Check

If you add a filter to only show files containing the text "Submit", which components update?

• The KPI Card updates to show count only for filtered files.
• The Text Replacement Summary Table shows only rows from filtered files.
• The Style Replacement Summary Table updates if styles are affected in filtered files.
• The Process Steps Visual remains unchanged.

Key Result

Dashboard to find and replace text and styles across multiple Figma files with live preview and summary.

Practice

1. What is the main benefit of using Find and Replace across files in Figma?

easy

A. It creates new files automatically.

B. It updates multiple files at once, saving time.

C. It deletes unused files from the project.

D. It exports files to different formats.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of find and replace

   Find and replace across files is designed to update content in many files simultaneously.

2. Step 2: Identify the main benefit

   By updating many files at once, it saves time compared to editing files one by one.

3. Final Answer:

   It updates multiple files at once, saving time. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Benefit = Saves time by updating many files [OK]

Hint: Remember: It saves time by changing many files at once [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking it creates or deletes files
• Confusing it with export features
• Assuming it only works in one file

2. Which of the following is the correct way to start a find and replace across files operation in Figma?

easy

A. Click on the 'Prototype' tab.

B. Right-click on a file and select 'Export'.

C. Open the file menu and choose 'New File'.

D. Use the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + F or Cmd + Shift + F.

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall the shortcut for find and replace across files

   In Figma, the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + F (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + F (Mac) opens the find and replace across files dialog.

2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect options

   Exporting, creating new files, or prototype tab do not start find and replace.

3. Final Answer:

   Use the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + F or Cmd + Shift + F. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Shortcut = Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + F [OK]

Hint: Use Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + F to open find and replace across files [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing export with find and replace
• Looking in the prototype tab
• Trying to create a new file instead

3. You want to replace the color named 'Primary Blue' with 'Secondary Green' across all your Figma files. After running find and replace, what will happen?

medium

A. Only the current file's 'Primary Blue' colors will change.

B. Nothing will change until you manually edit each file.

C. All files in your project will update 'Primary Blue' to 'Secondary Green'.

D. The colors will be replaced only in selected frames.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the scope of find and replace across files

   This feature updates the specified item in all files within the project or workspace, not just one file or frame.

2. Step 2: Apply to the color replacement scenario

   Replacing 'Primary Blue' with 'Secondary Green' will update all instances across all files automatically.

3. Final Answer:

   All files in your project will update 'Primary Blue' to 'Secondary Green'. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Scope = All files updated [OK]

Hint: Find and replace across files updates all files, not just one [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking it only affects current file
• Assuming manual edits are still needed
• Believing it only works on selected frames

4. You tried to replace a style name across files but the changes did not apply. What is the most likely reason?

medium

A. All of the above.

B. The style name was misspelled in the find box.

C. You do not have permission to edit those files.

D. You forgot to preview and confirm the changes before applying.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check common reasons for no changes

   Not confirming changes, misspelling the style name, or lacking permissions can all cause no updates.

2. Step 2: Combine all possible causes

   Since all these reasons can prevent changes, the correct answer includes all.

3. Final Answer:

   All of the above. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Reasons combined = All of the above [OK]

Hint: Always preview, check spelling, and permissions before replacing [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring permission issues
• Skipping preview confirmation
• Overlooking typos in find text

5. You want to replace the text 'Q2 Report' with 'Q3 Report' across multiple Figma files but only in files created after January 2024. How can you achieve this?

hard

A. Find and replace across files does not support filtering by file date.

B. Manually open each file and replace text one by one.

C. Use find and replace across files and filter files by date before applying.

D. Export files, edit text in a text editor, then re-import.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check if find and replace supports filtering

   Figma's find and replace across files does not currently support filtering files by properties like creation date.

2. Step 2: Alternative methods

   Since filtering by date is not supported, manual replacement or other workflows are needed.

3. Final Answer:

   Find and replace across files does not support filtering by file date. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   No filtering support = Find and replace across files does not support filtering by file date. [OK]

Hint: Find and replace across files cannot filter files by date [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming filtering is possible
• Trying manual replacement for many files
• Using export-import instead of built-in tools