Calculation formula within variable input

75 replies
11616 views

Hey folks, first of all I love the new variable function. Within the setup of spacings I want to reference my base value (“8”) and do calculations, e.g. (spacing-base)*2". This works fine and the value is calculated properly within the input to add a new variable. But I expected not that the calculation string changes to the absolute value. With this behaviour I loose the connection/ reference to my base value and the calculation is some how obsolete.

Does anybody feel the same?
Will there be an update?

Thanks

Show previous replies

Tara_Price2

Active Member

I’m dealing with a token library that has values that are formulas global x 1.25 etc… This is crucial…

I can’t tell you how disappointed I was at Config this year in the lack of product updates.

Variables was such a great idea that you got 50% of the way there.

Cyr_Dylan

New Member

Just adding a request for this as well. Ideally also being able to add multiple other variables together.

Anna_Rocca1

keeping alive!!! This is definitely needed - please keep variables in mind

Simon_Erskine

New Member

Need this. Need it for default font size, rem etc.

L

Luis7

+1 as well. Would be nice

Kolodziej_Ashley

Active Member

For annotating responsive mockups and demonstrating behavior, I’d like to be able to reference a variable minus 1. For example, to show the widest possible behavior of a component at the small breakpoint, I want to be able to set the width of a frame to medium - 1.

carlos.verdes

New Member

This feature is a must specially for dynamic space systems

Danny_Hope

New Member

This feature would be ideal for experimenting with modular typographic scales.

However, it’s a bit of a slippery slope (in a good way)…

Adding a formula engine could transform Figma into a powerful data visualisation tool.
If Figma then allowed designers to surface these values within the design itself, it could become a more flexible, visually-driven, spreadsheet-like tool.

With these possibilities in mind, it’s easy to imagine Figma assigning a team to prototyping these kind of far-reaching concepts to see what’s possible/desirable. This way they could introduce smaller features (as in the original post) incrementally, ensuring they don’t close off the path to these ambitious long-term goals.

This might also align with their apparent strategy of providing a suite of creative-focussed productivity tools.