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How to import your existing variables (css/json) into figma via new import feature?

  • December 12, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 106 views
zu.nguyen

Hi,

Before figma release import/export variables feature, I often use Design Token manager plugin to work with my variables. Today, I can't import json back to figma because the format is different, instead I use figma native feature, which is so so much problematic. 
If I have 2 ways alias, it require the alias collection already imported in the app, therefore my variables is broken (not completed)
If i have outside figma system variables, I can’t import too. Figma trying to lock user in it’s own system, and feature is half baked release.
Anyone try different methods/ plugins so you can import your into figma?

2 replies

jonoyoung
  • jonoyoung
  • New Participant
  • December 12, 2025

Until today, I was using a plugin called Sheets to Variables to import/export variables via a google sheet. It still works incredibly well, still free and is MUCH simpler than Design Token Manager.

Today, my figma account gained access to the new import/export feature for variables. I have not tested it yet, but it looks great.

Figma’s new import/export variable feature has adopted a yet-to-be-standardized standard for design tokens, which is the correct direction to take in my opinion.

If your current token/varialbe format is different from what is supported in the native feature you can ask GPT to convert your current format to the new format by uploading your current file and an example newly formatted file, and telling GPT (or any AI tool) to fix it.

 

A UI can be designed. A UX can be measured.
zu.nguyen
  • zu.nguyen
  • Author
  • Active Member
  • December 13, 2025

Until today, I was using a plugin called Sheets to Variables to import/export variables via a google sheet. It still works incredibly well, still free and is MUCH simpler than Design Token Manager.

Today, my figma account gained access to the new import/export feature for variables. I have not tested it yet, but it looks great.

Figma’s new import/export variable feature has adopted a yet-to-be-standardized standard for design tokens, which is the correct direction to take in my opinion.

If your current token/varialbe format is different from what is supported in the native feature you can ask GPT to convert your current format to the new format by uploading your current file and an example newly formatted file, and telling GPT (or any AI tool) to fix it.

 

You should test it, for a new file without variables yet. I knew sheet to variables, they do have import and sync, but not export. For that, I have to export to other format using another plugin, run the script to convert to sheet variables plugin format.

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