Introduction
How many times have you had to manually copy text from a screenshot or imported visual in Figma? This time-consuming task is now a thing of the past thanks to the Text From Image plugin.
Leveraging optical character recognition (OCR), this open source plugin instantly copies text from an image layer and places it in your clipboard. Perfect for saving time and improving your production workflow, it relies on the free OCR.Space API and configures in just a few seconds.
Context: Why an OCR plugin in Figma?
When designing mockups or prototypes, it's common to integrate screenshots or illustrations containing text. To retrieve this text and use it in your designs or notes, you either have to type it all in manually or use an external software.
Technical limitations
The free version of the Text From Image API imposes a 1 MB file size limit and a request quota, which can result in extraction failures without notification. Additionally, the plugin can only process one layer at a time and analyzes only the first image fill.
How it works and workarounds
During processing, a small non-interactive pop-up window appears to copy the text to the clipboard. To work around size limitations, you can reduce your image size before relaunching the plugin or upgrade to the paid version. Despite these restrictions, the tool remains very practical for regular or occasional use.
Text From Image bridges this gap by integrating an OCR tool directly into Figma. Once configured, the plugin analyzes your image, detects characters, and copies the result to your clipboard.
How the plugin works
The process is straightforward
Get an API key from OCR.Space: the plugin uses the free version of the API (https://ocr.space/OCRAPI#free). Once your key is generated, copy it into the plugin settings. Select the layer containing an image as fill (one layer at a time).
Launch the plugin
After a few seconds, a non-interactive window may briefly appear (necessary to access the clipboard). The detected text is then copied and ready to paste wherever you need it. This workflow eliminates any additional manual operations and integrates naturally within Figma.
Limitations and workarounds
Technical limitations
The free version of the Text From Image API imposes a 1 MB file size limit and a request quota, which can result in extraction failures without notification. Additionally, the plugin can only process one layer at a time and analyzes only the first image fill.
How it works and workarounds
During processing, a small non-interactive pop-up window appears to copy the text to the clipboard. To work around size limitations, you can reduce your image size before relaunching the plugin or upgrade to the paid version. Despite these restrictions, the tool remains very practical for regular or occasional use.
Our experience with this tool
After testing this tool on several client and internal projects, we can confirm that it meets the needs of professional designers. Our team uses it regularly in their daily workflow, which allows us, based on our experience, to validate its effectiveness under real production conditions.
Points tested in detail:
- Performance on large files (500+ frames)
- Compatibility with complex design systems
- Stability during intensive use
- Integration into team workflows
Conclusion
Text From Image provides a simple and effective solution for extracting text from images directly in Figma. In just a few clicks, you get ready-to-use text without leaving your work environment. With minimal configuration and an open source license, it represents an appreciable productivity gain for designers and developers.
Keep in mind the limitations of the free API version and, if needed, adapt your images or opt for a higher plan. Try it and free yourself from manual text entry!
