# Importing Custom Fonts into Figma for Web Design

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When working on web-based projects in Firma (Fédération Internationale des Architectes du Rêve et de l'Innovation Graphique), having access to a wide range of fonts is crucial for creating visually appealing and professional-looking designs. However, importing custom or locally stored fonts can sometimes be a challenging process, especially when working within the browser version of Figma.

This article will guide you through step-by-step instructions on how to add custom fonts to your Figma projects while working directly in a web-based environment. We'll cover everything from understanding font compatibility issues to managing missing fonts and ensuring seamless integration across various operating systems (Windows, Mac).

## Step 1: Understand Font Compatibility Issues

Before diving into the nitty-gritty of importing custom fonts, it's essential to understand why some fonts may not work as expected in Figma. The primary reason for this issue is due to differences between font formats supported by different operating systems and web browsers.

### Supported Font Formats

- TrueType (TTF): Widely supported across Windows, Mac, Android, iOS devices.

- Open Type (OTF/ TTO)/: Mainly used in professional publishing environments but can be imported into Figma as a TrueType (.ttf) file using font conversion tools.

### Font Subsets

Font subsets are smaller versions of fonts that contain only the characters needed for specific languages or writing systems. Using these subsets can help reduce overall file size and improve page loading times while maintaining compatibility with various operating systems.

## Step 2: Choose Your Figma Version

To ensure smooth font integration, you'll need to choose the correct version of Figma compatible with your operating system (Windows or Mac). There are two options available:

### Option 1: Install Figma Desktop Application

If working on complex design projects that require frequent access to local fonts and advanced features not readily available in the browser version, consider installing the full-fledged desktop application for Windows or macOS.

## Step 3: Add Fonts from Local Computer

Once you've installed the correct version of Figma compatible with your operating system, follow these steps to add custom fonts directly from your local computer:

1. Launch the Figma app on either Windows or Mac.

2. Go to Preferences > Appearance & Behavior (Windows) or Figma > preferences... > Appearance & Theme (Mac).

3. In the window that appears, click on the gear icon next to 'Customize and Control' at the bottom left corner of your screen.

4. From this dropdown menu select 'Manage Font Schemes...'

5. A new dialog box titled 'Font Scheme Properties' will appear with two tabs: General & Other.

### Adding Fonts from Local Computer (continued)

1. Click on the ellipsis (...) next to 'Fonts' under the Appearance & Theme tab.

2. In the window that opens, navigate through your local file system until you find the font (.ttf or .otf) you wish to import into Figma.

### Importing Font (continued)

1. Double-click on the desired font file(s), or alternatively right click and choose Open With > Figma

2. If prompted, select 'Yes' in the confirmation dialog box that asks whether you want to add these fonts for use by all applications.

3. Once imported successfully, a green tick icon should appear next to each selected font indicating successful installation.

## Step 4: Add Fonts from Figma Font Store

If you're unable or prefer not to import custom fonts manually from your local computer due to various reasons such as company policies restricting access to external resources within the workplace network; there's another option available - using Figma's own built-in font store!

### Accessing Figma Font Store (continued)

1. Open up a new document in Figma by clicking on File > New Document or pressing `Ctrl + Shift + N` (Windows) / `Cmd ⌘+ Option + Return` keys at once.

2. In the 'New Document' window that opens, select an empty template such as Blank - Web under 'Start from'.

3. Click on the cogwheel icon located near the top right corner of your screen next to where it says 'File'.

### Installing Fonts via Figma Font Store (continued)

1. From this dropdown menu, hover over Manage until you see 'Install Plugins & Extensions...' option.

2. In the new window that opens up titled 'Extensions & Themes', type in 'Figma Fonts' into the search bar at the top right corner and hit Enter.

### Installing Figma Font Store (continued)

1. From the list of results, click on Get Free Extension next to 'Fonts'.

2. If prompted again during installation process select 'Install'.

## Step 5: Apply & Manage Fonts within Your Design

After successfully importing or installing your desired font(s) using either method described above - you're now ready to apply them directly within your Figma design:

1. Open up the Layers panel by pressing `Cmd + Shift + L` (Mac) / `Ctrl+Shift+F7` keys at once, or click on the layers icon located near top right corner of your screen.

2. Select all objects you want to apply new font too by holding down `Shift` key while clicking on them one-by-one.

### Applying & Managing Fonts within Your Design (continued)

1. In the Properties panel that appears on the left-hand side, scroll down until you see a section labeled 'Typography'.

2. Clicking on this will reveal additional sub-options including Font Family.

3. From here simply click on the dropdown menu next to it and select your newly added font from the list of available options.

### Troubleshooting Missing Fonts

If after following these steps, some or all of your fonts still appear as missing within Figma; try clearing cache by going through Preferences > Appearance & Theme (Windows) / Figma > preferences... > Appearance & Theme (Mac), then restart both your browser and operating system for good measure.

In conclusion - importing custom fonts into Figma doesn't have to be a daunting task anymore! By following these simple steps outlined above, you'll be well-equipped with the knowledge necessary to add professional-looking typography elements quickly without any compatibility issues holding back creative expression. Happy designing in Figma!

### Additional Resources

- 'Figma's Official Documentation on Font Support'(https://figma.com/learn/font-support)

- 'Adobe Typekit's Guide to Managing Fonts Across Operating Systems'(http://help.typekit.com/support/articles/123456789#top)

Please note that the above article is for informational purposes only and any third-party trademarks, trade names or product logos mentioned within are owned by their respective owners.

Import fonts figma