LABEL for column headers in Google Sheets - Dashboard Guide

Dashboard Mode - LABEL for column headers

Goal

Show clear column headers in a Google Sheets table so anyone can understand the data easily.

Sample Data

Product	Sales Q1	Sales Q2	Sales Q3
Apples	100	120	130
Bananas	90	110	115
Cherries	80	95	100
Dates	70	85	90
Elderberries	60	75	80

Dashboard Components

• Column Headers (Labels): The first row (Row 1) contains the labels: Product, Sales Q1, Sales Q2, Sales Q3. These labels describe the data below.
• Data Table: Rows 2 to 6 contain the sales data for each product under the correct headers.
• Formula Example for Label Reference: To show the header of the second column (Sales Q1) in another cell, use: =A1 for Product, =B1 for Sales Q1, etc.
• Freeze Header Row: Freeze Row 1 so headers stay visible when scrolling. Use menu: View > Freeze > 1 row.

Dashboard Layout

+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Product  | Sales Q1 | Sales Q2 | Sales Q3 |
+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Apples   |   100    |   120    |   130    |
| Bananas  |    90    |   110    |   115    |
| Cherries |    80    |    95    |   100    |
| Dates    |    70    |    85    |    90    |
| Elderber.|    60    |    75    |    80    |
+----------+----------+----------+----------+

Row 1: Column Headers (Labels) - frozen
Rows 2-6: Data rows

Labels help understand what each column means.

Interactivity

Freezing the header row keeps the labels visible when you scroll down the data. This helps you always know what each column means.

You can also reference header cells in formulas to create dynamic titles or summaries that update if you change the header text.

Self Check

If you scroll down the data, which row stays visible at the top? (Answer: The header row with labels)

If you change the text in cell B1 from "Sales Q1" to "First Quarter Sales", what happens to formulas referencing B1? (Answer: They show the new label text)

Key Result

A simple Google Sheets table with clear column headers (labels) frozen at the top for easy understanding of sales data.

Practice

1. What does the LABEL clause do in a Google Sheets QUERY function?

easy

A. It filters rows based on a condition.

B. It sorts the data in ascending order.

C. It changes the column headers to custom names.

D. It sums up the values in a column.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of LABEL

   The LABEL clause is used to rename column headers in the QUERY output.

2. Step 2: Compare with other QUERY clauses

   Filtering, sorting, and summing are done by WHERE, ORDER BY, and aggregation functions, not LABEL.

3. Final Answer:

   It changes the column headers to custom names. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   LABEL = rename headers [OK]

Hint: LABEL changes headers, not data content or order [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing LABEL with WHERE or ORDER BY
• Thinking LABEL filters rows
• Assuming LABEL sums values

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to rename the first column header to "Name" using LABEL in a QUERY formula?

easy

A. =QUERY(A1:C10, "SELECT A, B LABEL A 'Name'")

B. =QUERY(A1:C10, "SELECT A, B LABEL 'Name' A")

C. =QUERY(A1:C10, "SELECT A, B LABEL A = 'Name'")

D. =QUERY(A1:C10, "SELECT A, B LABEL A : 'Name'")

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall LABEL syntax

   The correct syntax is LABEL column_identifier 'new_label' without extra symbols.

2. Step 2: Check each option

   =QUERY(A1:C10, "SELECT A, B LABEL A 'Name'") uses correct syntax: LABEL A 'Name'. Others have wrong order or symbols.

3. Final Answer:

   =QUERY(A1:C10, "SELECT A, B LABEL A 'Name'") -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   LABEL column 'new_label' syntax [OK]

Hint: Use LABEL column 'new_label' exactly inside QUERY string [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Putting LABEL outside the QUERY string
• Using = or : instead of space before label
• Swapping label and column order

3. Given the data in A1:B3:
Name | Score
Alice | 90
Bob | 85
What will be the output headers when using:
=QUERY(A1:B3, "SELECT A, B LABEL A 'Student', B 'Points'")?

medium

A. Student | Points

B. Name | Score

C. A | B

D. Name | Points

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand QUERY with LABEL

   The QUERY selects columns A and B and renames headers using LABEL clause.

2. Step 2: Apply LABEL renaming

   Column A header changes to 'Student', column B header changes to 'Points'.

3. Final Answer:

   Student | Points -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   LABEL renames headers as specified [OK]

Hint: LABEL changes headers, not data rows [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking original headers remain
• Confusing column letters with headers
• Ignoring LABEL clause effect

4. You wrote this formula:
=QUERY(A1:C5, "SELECT A, B LABEL A 'Product', B 'Price'")
But the headers did not change. What is the likely error?

medium

A. The LABEL clause must come before SELECT.

B. The LABEL clause is missing commas between labels.

C. The LABEL clause requires double quotes around labels.

D. The LABEL clause must be inside the QUERY string after SELECT.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check LABEL placement

   LABEL must be inside the QUERY string after SELECT clause.

2. Step 2: Common placement error

   Users often mistakenly place the LABEL clause outside the QUERY string (e.g., =QUERY(A1:C5, "SELECT A, B") LABEL A 'Product', B 'Price'), causing it to be ignored.

3. Step 3: Identify common mistake

   This is the most likely reason headers do not change.

4. Final Answer:

   The LABEL clause must be inside the QUERY string after SELECT. -> Option D

5. Quick Check:

   LABEL inside QUERY string needed [OK]

Hint: Keep LABEL inside the QUERY string after SELECT [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Placing LABEL outside the QUERY string
• Using commas inside LABEL clause
• Adding quotes incorrectly around labels

5. You want to use QUERY on range A1:D10 and rename columns A, C, and D to "Date", "Sales", and "Profit" respectively, but keep column B header unchanged. Which formula correctly applies LABEL for this?

hard

A. =QUERY(A1:D10, "SELECT A, B, C, D LABEL A 'Date', C 'Sales' D 'Profit'")

B. =QUERY(A1:D10, "SELECT A, B, C, D LABEL A 'Date', C 'Sales', D 'Profit'")

C. =QUERY(A1:D10, "SELECT A, B, C, D LABEL A 'Date' C 'Sales' D 'Profit'")

D. =QUERY(A1:D10, "SELECT A, B, C, D LABEL A 'Date', B 'Sales', C 'Profit'")

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify columns to rename

   Columns A, C, and D need new labels; B stays the same.

2. Step 2: Check LABEL syntax and commas

   Each label pair must be separated by commas inside LABEL clause.

3. Step 3: Verify options

   =QUERY(A1:D10, "SELECT A, B, C, D LABEL A 'Date', C 'Sales', D 'Profit'") correctly renames A, C, D with commas; others have wrong columns or missing commas.

4. Final Answer:

   =QUERY(A1:D10, "SELECT A, B, C, D LABEL A 'Date', C 'Sales', D 'Profit'") -> Option B

5. Quick Check:

   LABEL pairs separated by commas, correct columns [OK]

Hint: Separate each LABEL pair with commas inside QUERY string [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting commas between label pairs
• Renaming wrong columns
• Missing quotes around new labels