Find and replace across files in Figma - Cell-by-Cell Formula Trace

Sample Data

This data represents report titles and descriptions across multiple files in a BI project.

Cell	Value
A1	Title
B1	Description
A2	Sales Report
B2	Monthly sales data
A3	Sales Summary
B3	Summary of sales
A4	Sales Report 2023
B4	Annual sales data
A5	Marketing Report
B5	Marketing campaign data

Formula Trace

Find and replace 'Sales' with 'Revenue' across all titles (A2:A5)

Step 1: Check cell A2 value 'Sales Report' for 'Sales'

Step 2: Replace 'Sales' with 'Revenue' in A2

Step 3: Check cell A3 value 'Sales Summary' for 'Sales'

Step 4: Replace 'Sales' with 'Revenue' in A3

Step 5: Check cell A4 value 'Sales Report 2023' for 'Sales'

Step 6: Replace 'Sales' with 'Revenue' in A4

Step 7: Check cell A5 value 'Marketing Report' for 'Sales'

Cell Reference Map

    A                 B
1 | Title            | Description           |
2 | Sales Report     | Monthly sales data    |
3 | Sales Summary    | Summary of sales      |
4 | Sales Report 2023| Annual sales data     |
5 | Marketing Report | Marketing campaign data|

Arrows point from A2:A5 to the find and replace operation.

The formula references cells A2 to A5 where the find and replace operation is applied.

Result

    A                   B
1 | Title              | Description           |
2 | Revenue Report     | Monthly sales data    |
3 | Revenue Summary    | Summary of sales      |
4 | Revenue Report 2023| Annual sales data     |
5 | Marketing Report   | Marketing campaign data|

The final result shows all occurrences of 'Sales' replaced with 'Revenue' in the titles from A2 to A4. A5 remains unchanged.

Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

Which cells had 'Sales' replaced with 'Revenue'?

A A2, A3, A4

B A2, A5

C A3, A5

D A4, A5

Key Result

Find and replace scans each cell in the range and substitutes matching text with new text.

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