I have been playing around with creating variables but realized I would rather have groups in separate collections, but cannot move them.
I would like to be able to duplicate an entire collection so I don’t have to manually re-create values and can remove what I don’t need from that collection OR simply be able to move groups into other collections.
+1
Need this feature! 🙂
+1
Would be super helpful for separating primitive variables into new file without having to redefine all applications across semantic variables.
While, this doesn’t address your issue perfectly, I believe this approach, or something similar could help ease the pain of moving styles and components together.
While not a full solution, I have found the plug-in Sheets to Variables really helpful. Once the option for assigning tokens is added (I think the author is planning on this) they will be even more useful.
This is killing me right now. Trying to fix my variable organization so that it is scalable and follows norms/ recommend practices. At minimum, “Duplicate Collection” would us at least duplicate and remove the unwanted variables
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Please also solve the cases where styles are set with variables. We can have color styles pointing to a color variable. When performing cut and paste, such color styles no longer point to the color variable.
yes please Figma, allows us to better organise collections 🫰
Hi everyone
Waiting for this feature to be implemented, I built a plugin to copy & move variables to another Figma file (freemium):
You can select the variables they want to move and it will take all the depending variables and copy them to your new file.
I created a small tutorial video for it (4mins), I hope it will help you
In case of any additional questions or desired improvements, don’t hesitate to let me know on the plugin page or here
If you like the plugin and find it useful please feel free to give it a like and share it 🤗 !
bump please
Thanks for the tip. This plugin solved my problem.
Hello Stephane,
I believe moving groups of variables across different collections should be a straightforward native Figma feature. For now, if your plugin allows for that, I will buy the license right away.
Unfortunately, I still don’t understand how to use your plugin to do that task. Can you please make a video to show just that?
Use Case:
_PrimitivesMeasuresUI ColorsUI Colors consumes variables stored in the _Primitive Collection as aliases.UI Colors there are two Groups:
GeneralComponentsComponents to a new Collection (in the same file) without breaking any variable alias link. At the same time, I don’t want to lose variable assignments to the components in the file.Thank you!
Hey everyone, I wrote an article on how I managed to move variables between collections. In the article, you can learn how to divide a single variable collection into separate collections. I hope it will help you!
Medium – 15 Jan 24It would be very useful to be able to move a group of variables to another collection as I want them to have different mode names or no modes at all just for that group
Much needed feature.
Man. Just move 36 color variables into a new collection. Seems like every time I find a need to do something simple that should have been thought of, I have to buy a new $20 plug-in. No thank you! I’ll just do it manually and complain about it.
I just had to manually copy +50 variables with double modes, again. I couldn’t help myself & had to come here and complain again… WE NEED THIS FEATURE ASAP!
Awesome! I see that you have been exploring and experimenting with variables, but you have now discovered a more efficient way of organizing your data. That’s great news! Let’s work on finding a solution to help you duplicate entire collections and move groups into other collections seamlessly. With this new approach, you’ll save a lot of time and effort. Exciting times ahead!
Hey there! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, Ron_Frank! It’s great to hear that you’ve found the [Sheets to Variables] plugin to be helpful. I’m going to give it a try and see how it can make our work even smoother. It’s awesome that the author is planning to add an option for assigning tokens too - that’s going to be a game-changer! Your tip has brightened up my day, so thank you again for sharing!
Stumbled upon this, in need.
Very easy to use with a free plugin Export/Import Variables.
Just export the selected collection and import it in a different file.
https://www.figma.com/community/plugin/1256972111705530093
The Export/Import Variables plugin is a valuable resource, still not quite what we need.
I quote from the plugin page “About” details:
Known limitations
- References from different collections will get detached.
Aliasing is crucial for efficient Variables structuring, and linking Primitives to Semantic Variables living in different Collections is very common.
In this interview, at about 23:30", Lui Ouriach explains the benefits of splitting Collections between different Files too:
What I am missing is how to refactor Variables AFTER Variables have been created, and even consumed by components, without breaking up everything.
Without the ability to move Variables to other Collections (and possibly files) while retaining all aliases and connections to components, this task is now extremely demanding.
Hello!
Had the same issue today and found this Plugin that allowed me to quickly copy/paste my variables from one collection to another - and for free!
Saved me some hours of work 😅
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