New Participant

Allow percentages for line height

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
April 17, 2024
197 replies
25152 views

Firstly great job Figma Font variables are here!!!

Figma tutorial: Variables for typography

The only thing missing is the use of percentages in the line-height property.

You can not use a percentage in the line-height as it only accepts variables that are a number type.

Although the variables for line-height caters for pixel (absolute) line-heights (10,12,14)- it does not accommodate relative line heights.

In other words you can’t use percentage variables for line heights that are a percentage of the font size (100%, 120%,150%).

Interestingly …You can use a variable for letter-spacing ( which accepts a number variable - but reads it as a percentage) - the challenge remains that line heights by default are absolute not percentages - even though you can input a percentage.

Percentages allow greater flexibility and less calculations

Word around would be to allow formula in a variable
e.g. =[variable] * 1.5

Or figuring out a way for the line height to be toggle between absolute or relative application of the number variable.

Show previous replies

Maria96

New Member

+1!!

Leo_Vogel2

New Participant

+1

Benjamin_Margoux1

New Participant

Still waiting

Soren_Runge

New Member

This is on our radar. I’ve moved your reply to this topic to better gauge the overall impact we’re seeing here in the community.

Do you need a mechanic? Looks like the radar is broken. ^.^

Jokes aside … What makes me sad is that this request feels like the request for percentages for width and height specifications back then, where it seemed that the topic was simply hushed up.
Let's face it, typography without percentages or multipliers is unfortunately only half the battle. there is no alternative here, no workaround ... just a lot of painful work when working with customizable design systems that quickly require up to 300 font definitions spread over 4 breakpoints, which quickly destroys a good development. ... What the batch styler used to do, figma could now suddenly do itself, faster and more responsive.
As a former developer, I am well aware of the limitations and challenges of data types. However, as a designer who has always appreciated figma's flexibility and open ear, I also think that a dedicated community like this would have deserved at least 2 updates after more than a year. ... before figma becomes a soulless money-making machine like other once innovative tech companies. cheers

Nicolas_Prieto

New Member

Can we please get this thing ready? It’s been a while and it might be super useful! 😁

On a side note, size / line-height variables are not updated on the Text Style List if you switch variable modes that alter those sizes, like from Desktop to Mobile: the text style change happens but the values on the text style list remain the same, making it super confusing.