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Question

Incorrect search by layers

  • February 24, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 51 views

Lily Gabrielyan

Hello,

For over a month now, the search function in Figma has not been working correctly for layers—whether text, graphic, or any other type. Instead of displaying specific elements, the search results only show design thumbnails, making the search feature practically useless.

This issue severely impacts workflow, especially in large projects. Without the ability to quickly locate layers and text, navigation and editing become chaotic and significantly more time-consuming.

We believe this is a widespread issue affecting many users, not just our team. We would appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and any updates on a solution.

Thank you! Looking forward to your response.

 

2 replies

  • Figmate
  • 1814 replies
  • February 27, 2025

Hi ​@Lily Gabrielyan, Thanks for getting in touch!

 

Looking at the image you sent, it seems you're using the search bar in the file browser.

Just so you know, the file browser search lets you find:

  • Files and projects you can access.
  • People you share files and projects with.
  • Community files, plugins, and widgets.

More info here: Search for files, projects, and people

 

To search inside a file for text, shapes, or frames, you'll want to use the "Find..." option after you open the file. Check out this guide: Find and replace in Figma

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've tested both, and they seem to be working fine on my end. If you're still having trouble, please file a bug report using this guide: Submit a bug report link

 

Hope that helps. Let us know if we missed anything. Thanks again!


Lily Gabrielyan

@Junko3 Thank you for your response and for explaining the current search functionality. However, I’d like to highlight a critical issue that significantly affects workflow efficiency in Figma.

The Core Issue:
Currently, the search function in the file browser only works at the file level, but in real-world workflows, the ability to search within layers is much more crucial.

When I need to find a specific layer with a keyword, Figma only provides a list of files where that keyword might exist. This forces me to go through a two-step search process:

1. First, I find the file that might contain the relevant layer.
2. Then, I have to manually open it and search inside it again.

But what if a user has hundreds or thousands of files? Finding the right layer becomes an exhausting and time-consuming process that requires multiple unnecessary steps.

Additionally, the in-file search is also unreliable—sometimes, it simply fails to return any results, even when the keyword is present in the file.

Why This Matters:

  •  Reduces time spent on repetitive tasks – Fewer steps mean faster results.
  •  Lowers cognitive load – Users don’t have to remember exactly where content is stored.
  •  Direct access to relevant data – A more precise search function would greatly improve Figma’s efficiency, especially for large teams.


How This Could Be Improved:
A potential solution that would make the search function significantly more user-friendly:

  •  Layer-Level Search – When entering a keyword, the search should display specific layers, not just the files that contain them.
  •  Structured Search Results – A dropdown list showing the layer name along with the file name where it is located.
  •  Direct Navigation – Clicking on a result should immediately open the file and highlight the correct layer, eliminating unnecessary steps.


Additional Question:
Would your team be open to considering this improvement and providing feedback on its feasibility? We believe that this enhancement would make Figma an even more powerful tool for professional users.

Thank you for taking the time to review this issue! If you need any additional examples or supporting materials, I’d be happy to provide them.

Best regards, Lily


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