We are currently exploring a solution to enable automated localization of Figma-based UI screens as part of a larger enterprise workflow.
Use Case Overview
Our goal is to build a Figma-based translation pipeline that:
- Extracts text from Figma design screens
- Sends the extracted text to an external localization system (e.g., Localize)
- Replaces the original text with translated text (e.g., German) within the same Figma design
- Exports the updated screens as images (PNG/JPEG) for downstream usage (e.g., documentation such as IFU manuals)
What We Are Trying to Achieve
We want to provide a seamless experience for end users, where they can:
- Input a Figma design (or screens)
- Select a target language
- Receive back the same Figma screens with translated text applied
Key Questions for Figma Team
We would like guidance on the following:
Text Extraction
- Best practices for extracting all TEXT nodes at scale via the Figma API
- Efficient ways to traverse and manage large design files
Text Modification
- Recommended approach to programmatically update text content
- Confirmation that Figma Plugins are the preferred method for modifying node content
Plugin Integration
Can we build a custom Figma plugin that integrates with an external localization platform (such as Localize) via API calls?
Are there any constraints or best practices when calling external services from within a plugin
Localization Workflow Support
Are there any native or recommended patterns in Figma for handling multi-language design workflows?
Does Figma provide any built-in support or integrations for localization tools?
Exporting Translated Screens
Best practices for exporting updated frames/images programmatically after text replacement
Any limitations around exporting at scale
We would greatly appreciate the opportunity to connect with your technical team for a short discussion to validate our approach and align with Figma best practices.