HomeExport Figma text for translation—or keep it in the file
Export Figma text for translation—or keep it in the file
Searchers who want to “export Figma text for translation” are often building a handoff. Here is a clear split: production strings vs design-time i18n in Figma.
When export-first makes sense
- Engineering owns keys; translators work in a TMS or XLIFF/CSV flow.
- You need a LSP to certify medical, legal, or financial UI strings.
- You are migrating legacy copy out of a file for a one-time content audit.
Figma and the ecosystem offer plugins, inspect flows, and sometimes manual copy out of the Inspect panel. The tradeoff is that line breaks and component bounds are not visible in a spreadsheet.
When in-file translation wins for i18n
If your question is “Will this button still work in German on mobile?” you need the text on the artboard. FigmaTranslator lets you select layers and translate in place—see select and translate and batch translate. That is the right step for many design-file i18n reviews.
Practical combined workflow
Many teams: (1) iterate languages in Figma for layout and PM review, (2) lock copy that ships to code into keys/TMS, (3) keep Figma as the visual spec. For a fuller map, read plugin and workflow comparison.