To duplicate variables in Figma, simply select one or more variables and press ⇧ Shift Enter. This shortcut allows you to quickly create copies of existing variables within your design file.
Duplicating Variables Step-by-Step
Variables in Figma are powerful tools for managing design properties like colors, numbers, strings, and booleans across your project. Duplicating them is a straightforward process, especially when you need to create slight variations or build out variable collections efficiently.
Here's how you do it:
- Open the Variables Panel: Access your local variables by going to the Design panel in the right sidebar and finding the Variables section. Click the "Open variables" icon.
- Select Variables: In the Variables panel, click on the variable(s) you wish to duplicate.
- To select a single variable, simply click on it.
- To select multiple variables, hold down the ⇧ Shift key while clicking on a range of variables, or hold down the ⌘ Command (Mac) or Ctrl (Windows) key to select non-contiguous variables.
- Use the Shortcut: With the variable(s) selected, press the keyboard shortcut ⇧ Shift Enter.
Immediately, Figma will create duplicates of the selected variables, usually named with a copy suffix (e.g., Primary/500 becomes Primary/500 copy). You can then rename these duplicated variables as needed.
The Shortcut for Duplication
The essential shortcut for duplicating variables is:
| Operating System | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| macOS | ⇧ Shift Enter |
| Windows | ⇧ Shift Enter |
Using this shortcut saves time compared to manually creating new variables and setting their properties. It's particularly useful when iterating on variable values or creating similar variables for different modes or themes.
Managing Duplicated Variables
Once duplicated, you can:
- Rename the new variables to fit your naming convention.
- Adjust their values for different modes (e.g., create a dark mode equivalent).
- Move them into different groups or collections.
Knowing how to duplicate variables is a key skill for efficient variable management in Figma, allowing you to scale your design system more effectively.
