# How to create a text style in Figma on Mac: select, name and reuse it

> Learn how to create a text style in Figma on Mac: select a text layer, name the style, click Create style, and reuse it in your file.

URL: https://www.lazur.app/how-to/create-a-text-style-in-figma
Updated: 2026-11-06

To create a text style in Figma on Mac, select a text layer, open Typography in the right sidebar, and click the style icon. Then click the icon for a new style, name it, and click Create style.

## Quick answer

- Select a text layer, open Typography in the right sidebar, and click the style icon.
- Click the icon for a new style, name it, and click Create style.
- Find the style under Local styles, then apply it from the Typography picker.
- Publish the style to a library if other files need it. Team libraries need a paid plan.

Applies to: Figma desktop app for macOS, and the same steps in the browser. Time: 5 min. Difficulty: Easy.

## What you need

- Figma desktop app for Mac. Figma's desktop guide says macOS 12 or later.
- A text layer with the type settings you want to save.
- The fonts used in that layer installed on your Mac, since the desktop app can use locally installed fonts.
- Edit access to the file, because editing styles requires it.

## How to Create a text style in Figma on Mac in Figma on a Mac

1. **Open the file and select a text layer.** (Left sidebar > Layers) Open your Figma file in the desktop app. Click the text layer on the canvas, or click it in the Layers panel. Select the text layer itself, not the frame around it. Tip: Select one text layer at a time. A single layer gives the clearest style.
2. **Find Typography in the right sidebar.** (Right sidebar > Typography) With the layer selected, look at the right sidebar. Find the Typography section. Some tutorials call this section Text, and they describe a four-dot icon. Tip: Match the label you see on your screen, since tutorials may use older names.
3. **Click the style icon.** (Right sidebar > Typography > Style icon) In the Typography section, click the style icon. The text style picker opens. Your existing styles are listed there.
4. **Click the icon that creates a new style.** (Style picker > New style icon) In the style picker, click the icon for creating a new style. Figma opens the Create new text style modal.
5. **Enter a name.** (Create new text style > Name) Type a clear name in the name field. Use a pattern such as Heading/Large or Body/Regular. Avoid vague names like Text Copy.
6. **Add a description if you need one.** (Create new text style > Properties) Enter a description when the name is not enough. Say where the style belongs, such as article body copy. To check type settings, open the Properties section in the same modal.
7. **Click Create style.** Click Create style. The style is saved to this file. It appears under Local styles in the right sidebar. Tip: The style stays in this file until you publish it to a library.
8. **Check the style in Local styles.** (Right sidebar > Local styles > Text styles) Scroll the right sidebar to Local styles and open the Text styles section. Your new style should appear in the list. You can also click the icon next to Text styles to create a style from there.
9. **Apply the style to another text layer.** (Right sidebar > Typography > Style icon) Select a text layer, open Typography, and click the style icon. Choose your style from the picker. The layer takes the style settings. To style only part of a layer, select those characters first.
10. **Bold, italicize or underline part of a layer.** Shortcut: ⌘B, ⌘I, ⌘U. Select a word inside the styled layer. Press ⌘B to bold it, ⌘I to italicize it, or ⌘U to underline it. The text style stays on the layer.
11. **Edit a style.** (Style picker > Adjust icon) Hover over the style in the picker and click the adjust icon. Change the settings you need, then save. Layers that use the style pick up the change in this file.
12. **Publish the style to a library.** (Left sidebar > Assets > Library) Shortcut: ⌥3. Open the Assets panel from the left sidebar and click the Library icon. Under This file, click Publish next to the file name. Team library publishing needs a paid plan. Tip: Option 3 opens the library modal from the keyboard.
13. **Copy a style to another file.** (Right-click style > Copy style) Shortcut: ⌘C, ⌘V. Right-click the style and choose Copy style. Open the other file, right-click the canvas, and choose Paste here. Cutting with ⌘X moves the style instead, and a move cannot be undone. Tip: Confirm the copy shortcut in the app. The help page prints it in an odd form.

## What a text style does in Figma

A text style is a saved set of type settings. You give it a name, and then any text layer can use it. Change the style later, and every layer that uses it can follow along. You stop copying font settings by hand, and your type stays consistent across screens.

Styles live in a file. A style you create in one file works in that file. To use it in other files, you publish it to a team library. Creating and applying styles works on every Figma plan. Publishing to a team library needs a paid plan.

![Designer working at a MacBook on a desk, setting up a text style in Figma on Mac](https://lfobmih1tpj3sgpo.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/content-images/howto/create-a-text-style-in-figma/how-to-create-a-text-style-in-1-88bfa2.jpg)

## Check your Mac and Figma app first

The Figma desktop app is the native Mac version. Figma's desktop guide says it needs macOS 12 or later. To check your version, click the Apple menu and choose About This Mac.

The desktop app gives you the same features as the browser version. Desktop-only items include notifications and locally installed fonts. If you have not installed the app yet, [install the Figma desktop app on Mac](https://www.lazur.app/how-to/install-the-desktop-app-in-figma) first.

Some third-party posts list a newer macOS minimum. If your Mac is near the limit, check Figma's help page before you update anything. Figma's help pages list no separate Mac menu for text styles, so the steps match the browser.

Have these ready before you start:

- A Figma file open in the desktop app, with edit access.
- A text layer that already has the type settings you want to save.
- The fonts used in that layer installed on your Mac.
- A plan that fits your sharing needs. Styles work on all plans, and team libraries need a paid plan.

## Create a text style from an existing text layer

This is the most common route. You style one text layer the way you want it, then turn those settings into a style. Start with a layer that already looks right. The new style copies its settings from that layer.

Here is a worked example. Say you design a page heading. You set the font, weight and size on one heading layer. You select that layer, create a style called Heading/Large, and every other heading can use the same look from the picker.

Pick a clean layer for this. If the text has mixed formatting, fix it first. A tidy starting layer gives you a tidy style, and you avoid cleaning up the same problem across the file.

## Create a text style from Local styles instead

You can also create a style without starting from a layer. Open the right sidebar and find Local styles. Look for the Text styles section, click the icon next to it, enter a name and description, then click Create style.

This route helps when you want to define a style before any text exists. The Create new text style modal has a Properties section for the type details. Figma's help page says the wrap style is set in those type properties.

The same help page says default list spacing is 0 for new lists and for existing text styles. Check that value in the modal if your text uses lists.

> **Check before you apply:** Set the wrap style and list spacing before you apply the style to a lot of text. That way you avoid fixing each layer by hand.

## Apply a text style to a layer or part of a layer

Select a whole text layer, open Typography, and pick the style from the picker. The layer takes the style. You can also apply a style to a text range. Select only those characters first, then choose the style.

Bold, italic and underline are the usual exceptions. Select a word and press ⌘B, ⌘I or ⌘U. Figma changes that part of the layer without breaking the text style.

Here is a worked example. A caption style is set for small, quiet text. You need one word bold inside a caption. Select the word, press ⌘B, and the caption keeps its style. If you pick a different style for that word instead, that range changes to the new style, so check which one you meant.

## Edit a text style and see where changes go

Hover over a style in the picker and click the adjust icon. Change the settings you need, then save. Layers that use the style pick up the change in your file.

Published styles work differently. You edit them in the library file, not in the file where you use them. You need edit access to that library file. Right-click the style in Typography, choose Go to style definition, make the change, and publish it as a library update.

People who use the library must accept the update before they see it. Plan your changes so teammates know what is coming. A change to a shared style can reach many files at once.

> **Save a version first:** Save a version of the library file before you publish a change. If the change looks wrong, you can go back to that version.

## Use a text style in other files

Styles that exist only in one file stay in that file. To use them elsewhere, publish the file to a library. Open the Assets panel from the left sidebar, click the Library icon, and click Publish next to the file name under This file.

Option 3 opens the library modal from the keyboard, with ⌥3. Use it when the Library icon is hard to find. Publishing still needs a paid plan for team libraries.

You can also copy styles between files. Right-click a style and choose Copy style. Then open the other file, right-click the canvas, and choose Paste here. Cutting with ⌘X moves the style, and a move cannot be undone.

> **Moves are permanent:** Moving styles between files cannot be undone. Test the move on a copy of your file before you move a style from your main project.

One caution about shortcuts. Figma's Manage and share styles page prints the copy shortcut as ^Command C and the paste shortcut in an odd form. Both look like typos for ⌘C and ⌘V. Confirm them in the app before you rely on them.

![Person using a MacBook at a desk while checking type in Figma on Mac](https://lfobmih1tpj3sgpo.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/content-images/howto/create-a-text-style-in-figma/how-to-create-a-text-style-in-2-45c75a.jpg)

## Mistakes people make with Figma text styles

Most problems come from a few habits. These are the ones that cost the most time.

- Making a style from a layer that uses a font you do not have. The file then shows a missing font alert.
- Naming styles in a hurry. Names like Text Copy make a long list hard to scan later.
- Editing a published style in the wrong file. Change it in the library file, then publish the update.
- Expecting a detached layer to fix itself. A detached layer needs a manual fix.
- Skipping the edit access check. You cannot change styles without edit access.

Missing fonts cause most of the odd behavior. Figma's missing font alert says the usual causes are three. The font is not installed. A style such as bold or light is missing. Or collaborators have conflicting font versions. On Mac, check font versions in Font Book.

If the font is the problem, open the Missing fonts modal from the left sidebar. Choose replacement fonts and click Replace fonts. That change applies to all collaborators.

| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Missing font alert on styled text | Font not installed, or a style such as bold is missing | Install the font, then check its styles in Font Book |
| Styled text looks different for a teammate | Conflicting font versions across collaborators | Agree on one font version, then reopen the file |
| Text lost its link to a style | Layer detached from the style, often after font conflicts | Regenerate instances, or restore a prior version |
| Style missing from another file | Style is local, not published | Publish it to a library first, which needs a paid plan |

_Common text style problems and first checks_

Community threads describe styles that detach from library components. Figma Community Support blamed conflicting font files across a team in April 2024. Its suggested fixes were regenerating all instances, selecting layers with the same text properties, or restoring a prior version. Staff said there is no automatic reattach tool.

## Name and describe styles so the list stays usable

A style name is what you will search for later. Use a short pattern that matches how your file is organized. Heading/Large, Body/Regular and Caption/Muted are examples. Keep names the same across files, so a teammate can guess a name.

The description helps when the name is not enough. Write when to use the style. For example, say body copy for articles, not for buttons. A short note saves a question later.

## When the style does not show up

Sometimes the + button does not create a style. A user reported this on the desktop app in January 2024. A Figma staff member could not reproduce it at first. Staff later said it was fixed on March 25, 2024, but users said the problem continued.

Community advice for that bug was to clear the cache from Help > Troubleshooting on Mac. Figma's help pages do not document that menu for the desktop app. Check your Help menu first, and try the other creation route while you test.

## Check the release notes before you blame a bug

Figma's release notes archive lists Faster file transitions on desktop from May 1, 2026. That entry covers opening Figma links directly in the desktop app on macOS. The visible entries do not mention text styles.

Only the first set of results was visible, so check the release notes page for the current build. Figma's FY2025 10-K says non-designers made up about two-thirds of monthly active users in the three months ended December 31, 2025. If you are not a designer, text styles still help. They keep headings and body copy consistent in a shared file.

![Two colleagues reviewing a text style in Figma on Mac on a shared screen](https://lfobmih1tpj3sgpo.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/content-images/howto/create-a-text-style-in-figma/how-to-create-a-text-style-in-3-cc1487.jpg)

## Next steps after your first text style

Once text styles work, you can reuse whole groups of layers. Read [how to create a component in Figma on Mac](https://www.lazur.app/how-to/create-a-component-in-figma) next. Then read [how to add auto layout in Figma on Mac](https://www.lazur.app/how-to/add-auto-layout-in-figma) so text boxes resize with their content.

## Shortcuts

- Bold part of a text layer: ⌘B
- Italicize part of a text layer: ⌘I
- Underline part of a text layer: ⌘U
- Open the library modal for publishing: ⌥3
- Copy style (confirm in the app): ⌘C
- Paste style on the canvas (confirm in the app): ⌘V
- Cut style to move it to another file: ⌘X

## If it does not work

- **No style icon in the Typography section** Make sure a text layer is selected, not a frame or a group. Some tutorials call the section Text, so check the label on your screen. If the icon is still hard to find, create the style from Local styles instead.
- **Missing font alert appears on styled text** Install the font, or install the missing style such as bold or light. On Mac, check font versions in Font Book. To substitute a font, open the Missing fonts modal from the left sidebar and click Replace fonts. That change applies to all collaborators.
- **The + button does not create a style** A forum thread from January 2024 reports this on the desktop app. Restart Figma, update the app if prompted, and try the other creation route. Community advice suggests clearing the cache from Help > Troubleshooting, but Figma's help pages do not document that menu.
- **Text lost its link to a style** Select layers with the same text properties to reattach them. You can also regenerate all instances with quick commands, or restore a prior version. Figma staff said there is no automatic reattach tool.
- **You cannot publish the style to a library** Team library publishing needs a paid plan. Check that you have edit access to the file. Then open the Assets panel, click the Library icon, and publish from This file.
- **The copy shortcut does nothing** The help page prints the copy shortcut in a broken form. Test ⌘C in the app, or right-click the style and choose Copy style. Then right-click the canvas in the other file and choose Paste here.

## With Lazur

Lazur is a voice assistant for the Mac that lives in the notch. Hold ⌥ ⌘ and ask; it sees your screen, answers out loud, points at buttons and walks you through apps. Hold fn to dictate. Free for 3 days, then $18/month: https://www.lazur.app/download

- “Where is the Typography section?”: Lazur circles the Typography section and labels it on your screen. It does not click the style icon for you. (Points at it)

## FAQ

### Can I create a text style without selecting a text layer?

Yes. Open the right sidebar, find Local styles, and click the icon next to Text styles. Enter a name and description, then click Create style. Type details live in the Properties section of the modal.

### Where is the style icon in Figma on Mac?

Select a text layer, then look in the Typography section of the right sidebar. Figma's help page uses that name. Some tutorials call the section Text and describe a four-dot icon, so match the label you see.

### Do I need a paid plan to create a text style?

No. Figma says styles are available on all plans. A paid plan is needed to publish styles and components to team libraries, so other files can use them.

### Does the browser version work the same way?

The steps match. Figma's desktop guide says the desktop app has the same features as the browser version. The desktop app adds notifications and locally installed fonts.

### Can I bold one word without changing the text style?

Yes. Select the word and press ⌘B. The text style stays on the layer. Use ⌘I for italics and ⌘U for underline.

### Is there a keyboard shortcut to create a text style?

The help pages list no shortcut for creating a text style. Use the sidebar steps instead. The library modal opens with ⌥3, which helps when you publish.

### What macOS version does the Figma desktop app need?

Figma's desktop guide says macOS 12 or later. Check your version from the Apple menu, then About This Mac. Some third-party posts give a newer minimum, so check Figma's help page if you are close to the limit.

### Why does a text style look different for a teammate?

Conflicting font versions across collaborators are a common cause, according to Figma's missing font guidance. Agree on one font version, and check Font Book on each Mac.

## Sources

1. [Create and apply text styles - Figma Help Center](https://help.figma.com/hc/en-us/articles/360039957034-Create-and-apply-text-styles), Figma, checked 2026-11-07
2. [Manage and share styles - Figma Help Center](https://help.figma.com/hc/en-us/articles/360039820134-Manage-and-share-styles), Figma, checked 2026-11-07
3. [Explore text properties - Figma Help Center](https://help.figma.com/hc/en-us/articles/360039956634-Explore-text-properties), Figma, checked 2026-11-07
4. [Missing font alert in Figma Design - Figma Help Center](https://help.figma.com/hc/en-us/articles/360039956994-Missing-font-alert-in-Figma-Design), Figma, checked 2026-11-07
5. [Guide to the Figma desktop app - Figma Help Center](https://help.figma.com/hc/en-us/articles/5601429983767-Guide-to-the-Figma-desktop-app), Figma, checked 2026-11-07
6. [Can't create text styles bug - Figma Community Forum](https://forum.figma.com/ask-the-community-7/can-t-create-text-styles-bug-10587), Figma Community, checked 2026-11-07
7. [Text styles disappearing - Figma Community Forum](https://forum.figma.com/ask-the-community-7/text-styles-disappearing-6396), Figma Community, checked 2026-11-07
8. [Figma release notes archive](https://www.figma.com/release-notes/archive/), Figma, checked 2026-11-07
9. [Figma, Inc. Form 10-K FY2025 (SEC EDGAR)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1579878/000162828026009228/fig-20251231.htm), U.S. SEC EDGAR, checked 2026-11-07