Solved

How to clear “Used variables” that don’t exist in the file anymore?

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
August 25, 2023
102 replies
14114 views

Hi folks!

I used some components from other files in my project, and even though I removed them, I still see some Variables available in the “Page → Modes”. They are not available anywhere else. It doesn’t affect the project; when I select one, change the page, and then return to it, that mode is selected.

I checked my file, and nothing leads to the other file anymore – no styles, variables, components, etc.

It seems like a bug, and I see some variables pulled from another file, but can I remove it somehow?

Ask the community

Best answer by djv

Hey All, sorry for the continued trouble and frustration!

If the Detach deleted variables quick command does not work, the remaining ghost variables you’re seeing are still present because they’re still actively being used from collections within your design components and/or deleted color styles.

Be sure to review your file for variables that are being used across multiple pages. We understand how this can be confusing, especially when you have multiple collections with similar names and modes, making it difficult to differentiate between them.

Unfortunately, the team confirmed that we don’t have an automatic solution to fix this or a simple way to view which variables come from what collections. But in order to completely remove ghost variables, you’ll need to manually remove all instances of those variables from your file.

If you need help locating old variables that are still being referenced in nodes on the canvas and are able to share your file with us, please do so here: https://help.figma.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

Be sure to use your Figma account email, include a link to the file, share edit access with support-share@figma.com, and our Technical Quality team can help you locate and remove the old variables.

Ryan_52

Technical Quality Specialist

Hey, sorry to hear this is happening! Please reach out to the support team directly via this form for help: https://help.figma.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

Be sure to use your Figma account email, include the links to your file, and share it with support-share@figma.com so they can take a closer look.

Pavel_Kiselev

Power Member

That’s the thing with variables. Once assigned they stay there forever unless you break the link manually. Right the only way it to find rogue layers and remove bound var by hand, very frustrating.

JarekAuthor

The problem is that there is no link between the “ghost” variables in my layers and pages.
Also, I don’t like that when you apply a mode to a page or a layer, there is no option to remove it - but here, I guess it’s the same as setting it to the “default” mode.

JarekAuthor

Weird, but it’s gone now. I didn’t change anything, and when I returned to my computer today, I saw it’s not there anymore. So maybe the file needed to refresh, and it just took longer than it should?

DeniCarUX

I have the same issue. These variables are not used anywhere anymore, but they’re still there just like ghosts. Has anyone solved?

djv

Community Support

Hey All,

You can use the quick command: Detach deleted variables to quickly get rid of any existing ghost variables.

If this doesn’t work, it’s likely that old variables are still being referenced in some nodes on the canvas. If you’re able to share your file with us, our Technical Quality team can help you locate them: https://help.figma.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

Please be sure to use your Figma account email, include a link to the file, and share edit access with support-share@figma.com.