When naming frames or layers in Figma with special characters such as /, Figma interprets / as a path separator.

Problem Description

The Issue:

When naming frames or layers in Figma with special characters such as /, Figma interprets / as a path separator. This leads to the following problems:

1. During PNG or other format exports, Figma automatically creates nested folders instead of exporting all files into a flat directory.

2. Designers who use / as part of their naming conventions must manually adjust or reorganize the exported files, adding extra workload.

3. There is currently no option to disable or customize this path-separating behavior, forcing users to manually rename layers or rely on plugins.

Impact:

• Workflow efficiency is reduced, especially for designers who frequently export and manage large volumes of assets.

• Using plugins or manually renaming layers can disrupt the semantic meaning and consistency of naming conventions.

Proposed Improvements

1. Add an Option to Disable Path Separator Logic

• Provide a setting allowing users to disable the interpretation of / as a path separator. By default, the current behavior can remain, but users should have the flexibility to turn it off.

• When disabled, Figma would export names containing / directly as flat files without creating folder structures.

2. Customizable Path Separator Rules

• Allow users to define their own path separator rules, such as choosing alternative characters (e.g., | or _) instead of /.

3. Enhanced Export Options

• Introduce an “Ignore Path Structure” toggle in the export dialog, enabling users to export all files into a flat directory regardless of the naming convention.