Random "Used Variables" display as options even though they're not in the project

As a follow up to this. I literally deleted every single element in the file, so every page was blank and the issue remains.

So I duplicated the Figma File. Deleted/updated it so there is only 1 single mode. And I get the “Red Mode” listed from another completely unrelated file. They don’t share a design system or anything, all components and variables are local.

And if I look at the Local Variables there is a single Primatives/Tokens Collection and only one Mode. So no idea where the others are coming from?!

Hey @Stephen_Moy1, thanks for reaching out and sorry for the delayed reply!

It looks like you are seeing those used variables because they are still linked to some components in your file. Possibly if you copy-pasted these components into the file. Can you try to detach deleted variables as follows?

1. In the file with the issue, select all the content on the page, then go to the ‘Quick actions’ menu in the top left menu of the file and search the command ‘Detach deleted variables’ and click this.
2. Do this on each page
3. Then, go to each library file that contained variables, then select all the content on the page, then go to the ‘Quick actions’ menu in the top left menu of the file and search the command ‘Detach deleted variables’ and click on it.
4. Do this on each page, then publish the changes.
5. Then accept the library updates in the file with the issue.
6. Then close the file with the issue and open this after a few minutes.

You may still need to manually check your components and make sure to detach any variables which are not being used. Please let us know if this helps!

Hey @dvaliao, thanks for the reply!

I’m pretty sure this has been caused by copying components/elements from other files into a new project/design file. I believe I’ve found what was causing the issue(s) now.

I did run that command after highlighting all the pages/elements in the layers panel but after running I got the message below, so I guess it wasn’t that.

Detached 0 consumptions. 0 deleted variable consumptions remain.

Although I disconnected all visible colours/fonts/components I guess I missed a few. Although it’s worth mentioning when I highlighted elements none of the ‘linked’ colours showed in the “Selection Colors” panel - which is why I thought I’d got them all.

I can’t figure out the exact reason why these links colours didn’t show. One instants visibility was hidden - so maybe that’s why.

But I don’t think that was the case for another. Maybe it could just be because it was nested deep in the layers/components and wasn’t picked up?

Thanks again! 🙂

Hey @Stephen_Moy1,

Glad to hear you think you found what was causing the issue!
Used variables issues tend to differ on a case to case basis, but deeply nested variables do tend to be the root cause for most.

Please do let us know if you run into any further issues!

Hey! I had the same problem and even trying to run the “detach deleted variables” it didn’t work, I got the same message “Detached 0 consumptions. 0 deleted variable consumptions remain.”

It’s a very large file and the whole design team uses this file (it’s our design system components ) so it’s not possible to detach everything and check every layer.

Is there another way to fix this?

Hey @Isabella_Rovani – I think having support review this would be the best thing in your scenario. Unfortunately, I’m not able to really deep-dive into your specific instance (and these things do tend to be influenced by how a design system is set up).

Can you fill out this form, and then let me know when you’ve done so? I’ll make sure it gets routed to the right place for quicker review.