Hi Celine,

Thanks for the update that allows us to copy-paste local variables. Though this is helpful for one-off local variables, it is still a manual solution that takes longer the more local variables you have. Would still prefer being able to move variables from one library to another using the cut/paste method - I voted for this feature request.

When I first tried to go step-by-step with the Help Center article, I struggled to find where the variables were after I pressed ‘Copy variables into this file’ from the toast notification. When I clicked ‘Local Variables’ from the right sidebar, it was empty. It wasn’t until I noticed that there was a new Collection on the dropdown menu that I realized the variables were copied over successfully. I suggest making it more clear that there are updates to the variables panel - perhaps with a blue badge similar to library updates.

Thanks!

Hi, it seems this is no longer working…? I dont get any new collection, or the popup that used to ask if i want to copy the variables over. Now nothing happens.

Thanks for your feedback @Cindy_Wong1 , we will share it internally.

@Julia57, this looks odd, we are not aware of this issue. If this still happens, I’d recommend you to reach out directly to the support team so we can take a look at it further: here

Be sure to use your Figma email account, include a quick video recording when you encounter the issue, share the URL of the file and add support-share@figma.com as an Editor in your file, so we can take a closer look. Thank you!

There is a great and cheap plug-in to help doing this - it can also add a lot of value for exporting and bulk editing variables. It’s a one time cost to get the plug-in. Of course would be great if its part of Figma, but until them I recommend this.

https://www.figma.com/community/plugin/1285971940276913396/heron-variable-tools

Hey All,

We just launched the ability to copy and paste variables across collections! 🚀

Thanks, this will help alot

It really should just be move not copy. I don’t need to duplicate all the variables. I need to move and reorganize them without breaking any links.

Both options should be available, as its also nice to be able to copy across files, create new similar variables, etc…

Move or Copy/Paste.

When I paste variables to another file they paste is a random order. Is it possible to fix this as it’s proper annoying.

Oh, and make it so you can reorder them properly rather than having to figure out dragging them in arse about face manner.

Buggy!

+1, I really need a way to move every variable from one file to another. I have to consolidate hundreds of variables and this process is insanely time consuming right now. At least have them paste to the new file in the same order they were copied!

I find it strange variables were launched without a way of copy or moving them between files like styles AND shift any aliases alongside it. Surely the mechanism to ‘move’ things is half there already, just allow variables AND styles to move.

I want to set up a base approach to styles and variables in a canonical library for how our agency builds websites and then copy that to a new library for each new client which then becomes the canonical library for that brand but I have to invest in third-party software to do this?!

Sometimes it feels like Figma product designers are building Figma just for people like themselves, big enterprise product companies that roll out monolithic design systems to lots of designers. There are lots of other types of users out there, like us, a digital agency that is building a new design system every project.