Replace All Fonts In Figma: A Simple Guide

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Replace All Fonts in Figma: A Simple Guide

Hey guys! Ever found yourself needing to swap out a font across an entire Figma project? It can feel like a daunting task, especially if you've got a ton of files and components. But don't worry, I'm here to walk you through the easiest and most efficient ways to replace all fonts in Figma. Trust me, it’s simpler than you think!

Why Replace Fonts in Figma?

Before we dive in, let's quickly touch on why you might need to replace fonts in the first place. There are several common scenarios:

  • Brand Updates: Your company might be going through a rebranding, and that includes updating the typography to reflect the new brand identity. This often means swapping out old fonts for new ones across all your designs.
  • Font Licensing Issues: Maybe you've discovered that you don't have the correct license for a particular font, or the font you were using is no longer available. In this case, you'll need to replace it with a properly licensed alternative.
  • Performance: Some fonts can slow down your Figma files, especially if they are large or complex. Replacing these with more optimized fonts can improve the performance of your designs.
  • Accessibility: Ensuring your designs are accessible is crucial, and this includes using fonts that are readable and work well for users with visual impairments. You might need to replace fonts to meet accessibility guidelines.
  • Aesthetic Changes: Sometimes, you just want to refresh the look of your designs or try out a new typographic style. This could involve replacing fonts to achieve a different visual effect.

Regardless of the reason, knowing how to quickly and efficiently replace fonts in Figma is a valuable skill for any designer.

Method 1: Using the "Replace Font" Feature

Figma has a built-in feature specifically designed for replacing fonts, which is super handy. This method is straightforward and works well for most projects.

Step 1: Select the Text Layer, Object or Open Your Figma File

First, open the Figma file you want to modify. You can do this by double-clicking on the file in your Figma dashboard or by navigating to it through the file browser. Make sure the file is fully loaded before proceeding.

Step 2: Accessing the "Replace Font" Option

There are a couple of ways to access the "Replace Font" option:

  • From the Text Tool: Activate the Text tool by pressing T on your keyboard or selecting it from the toolbar. With the Text tool active, look for the font selection dropdown in the right-hand sidebar. Click on the dropdown, and you should see the "Replace Font" option at the bottom of the list.
  • From the Main Menu: Go to the main menu by clicking on the Figma icon in the top-left corner of the screen. Navigate to Edit > Replace Font. This will open the "Replace Font" dialog.

Step 3: Choosing the Font to Replace

In the "Replace Font" dialog, you'll see a list of all the fonts used in your Figma file. Select the font you want to replace from this list. Figma will show you how many instances of the font are used in your project, which is super helpful.

Step 4: Selecting the New Font

Once you've chosen the font to replace, you'll need to select the new font to use instead. Click on the dropdown menu next to the font you're replacing, and you'll see a list of all the fonts available in Figma, including your local fonts and any fonts from shared libraries. Choose the font you want to use as the replacement.

Step 5: Applying the Replacement

After selecting the new font, click the "Replace" button. Figma will then go through your entire file and replace all instances of the old font with the new one. This might take a few seconds, depending on the size of your file and the number of instances being replaced.

Step 6: Reviewing the Changes

Once the replacement is complete, take a moment to review the changes. Look through your designs to make sure the new font looks good and doesn't cause any unexpected layout issues. Pay special attention to headings, body text, and any UI elements that use the font.

Best Practices for Using "Replace Font"

  • Use a Consistent Font Style: Before replacing the font, make sure the new font has a similar style and weight to the old one. This will help maintain the visual consistency of your designs.
  • Check for Overlapping Text: After replacing the font, check for any overlapping text or text that overflows its container. Adjust the text size or container as needed to ensure everything fits properly.
  • Test Different Font Sizes: Test the new font at different sizes to make sure it remains readable and legible. Some fonts may look great at large sizes but become difficult to read at smaller sizes.
  • Consider Line Height and Letter Spacing: Adjust the line height and letter spacing as needed to improve the readability of the new font. These settings can have a significant impact on the overall appearance of the text.

Method 2: Using Find and Replace Plugin

Figma plugins can extend its functionality, and there are several plugins available that can help with replacing fonts. One popular option is the "Find and Replace" plugin. This method is great for more complex scenarios or when you need more control over the replacement process.

Step 1: Install the Find and Replace Plugin

First, you need to install the "Find and Replace" plugin from the Figma Community. Here’s how:

  1. Open Figma and go to the main menu (click the Figma icon in the top-left corner).
  2. Navigate to Plugins > Browse all plugins. This will open the Figma Community in a new window.
  3. In the Figma Community, search for "Find and Replace".
  4. Find the plugin (usually by Jan Six) and click on it.
  5. Click the "Install" button to add the plugin to your Figma account.

Step 2: Open the Plugin in Figma

Once the plugin is installed, you can access it from within your Figma file. Go to the main menu and navigate to Plugins > Find and Replace. This will open the plugin panel in the right-hand sidebar.

Step 3: Configure the Search and Replace Settings

The "Find and Replace" plugin allows you to search for specific text strings and replace them with new ones. In this case, you'll be searching for the name of the font you want to replace and replacing it with the name of the new font.

  1. In the plugin panel, enter the name of the font you want to replace in the "Find" field. Make sure to type the name exactly as it appears in Figma.
  2. Enter the name of the new font in the "Replace" field. Again, make sure to type the name correctly.
  3. Configure any additional settings as needed. The plugin may offer options for case sensitivity, whole word matching, and searching within specific layers or frames.

Step 4: Run the Search and Replace

Once you've configured the search and replace settings, click the "Replace" button. The plugin will then go through your Figma file and replace all instances of the old font with the new one. This process may take a few seconds, depending on the size of your file and the number of instances being replaced.

Step 5: Review the Changes

After the search and replace is complete, take some time to review the changes. Check your designs to make sure the new font looks good and doesn't cause any any layout issues. Pay attention to headings, body text, and UI elements that use the font.

Benefits of Using the Find and Replace Plugin

  • More Control: The plugin gives you more control over the replacement process, allowing you to specify search criteria and replacement options.
  • Batch Operations: You can perform batch operations, replacing multiple fonts or text strings at once.
  • Regular Expressions: Some plugins support regular expressions, allowing you to perform more complex search and replace operations.

Method 3: Using Figma's API

For those of you who are more technically inclined, Figma's API offers a powerful way to automate font replacements. This method is best suited for large projects or when you need to perform font replacements on a regular basis.

Step 1: Set Up Your Development Environment

Before you can use the Figma API, you'll need to set up your development environment. This typically involves installing Node.js and a code editor such as Visual Studio Code.

Step 2: Obtain a Figma API Token

To access the Figma API, you'll need to obtain an API token. Here's how:

  1. Go to your Figma account settings.
  2. Navigate to the "Personal Access Tokens" section.
  3. Create a new personal access token with the necessary permissions (e.g., read and write access to your Figma files).
  4. Copy the API token and store it securely. You'll need it to authenticate your API requests.

Step 3: Write the Code to Replace Fonts

Next, you'll need to write the code that uses the Figma API to replace fonts. Here's a basic example using JavaScript:

const Figma = require('figma-js');

const client = Figma.Client({
 personalAccessToken: 'YOUR_API_TOKEN'
});

async function replaceFont(fileId, oldFontName, newFontName) {
 try {
 const file = await client.file(fileId);
 // Code to traverse the file and replace fonts
 console.log('File:', file);
 } catch (error) {
 console.error('Error:', error);
 }
}

replaceFont('YOUR_FILE_ID', 'OldFontName', 'NewFontName');

Step 4: Run the Code

Once you've written the code, you can run it from your command line using Node.js. Make sure to replace 'YOUR_API_TOKEN' and 'YOUR_FILE_ID' with your actual API token and Figma file ID.

Benefits of Using Figma's API

  • Automation: You can automate the font replacement process, saving time and effort.
  • Scalability: The API is well-suited for large projects or when you need to perform font replacements on a regular basis.
  • Customization: You can customize the font replacement process to meet your specific needs.

Conclusion

Replacing fonts in Figma doesn't have to be a headache. Whether you use the built-in "Replace Font" feature, a plugin like "Find and Replace," or Figma's API, there's a method that will work for you. Just remember to review your changes carefully to ensure everything looks great. Happy designing!