LABEL for column headers in Google Sheets - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the purpose of using labels for column headers in a spreadsheet?

Labels for column headers help identify the type of data in each column, making the spreadsheet easier to read and understand.

beginner

How do you add a label to a column header in Google Sheets?

Simply type the label text into the first row cell of the column, for example, cell A1 for the first column.

beginner

Why should column header labels be clear and descriptive?

Clear and descriptive labels help anyone reading the sheet quickly understand what data each column contains, reducing confusion.

intermediate

Can you use formulas as column headers in Google Sheets?

Yes, but it is best to use simple text labels for headers. Formulas can be used if you want dynamic headers, but this is less common.

beginner

What is a common practice to keep column headers visible when scrolling in Google Sheets?

Use the 'Freeze' feature to freeze the header row so it stays visible while you scroll through data.

Where do you usually place column header labels in a spreadsheet?

A In the first column of each row

B In the last row of each column

C In the middle of the sheet

D In the first row of each column

Column header labels are placed in the first row of each column to identify the data below.

Why is it helpful to freeze the header row in Google Sheets?

A To delete the first row

B So headers stay visible when scrolling down

C To hide the headers

D To lock the entire sheet

Freezing the header row keeps it visible as you scroll through your data.

Which of these is a good label for a column containing dates?

A Date

B 123

C Column1

D Data

A clear label like 'Date' tells you the column contains dates.

Can you use formulas to create dynamic column headers?

A Yes, but it is less common

B No, formulas cannot be used in headers

C Only in Excel, not Google Sheets

D Only if the sheet is protected

Formulas can be used for dynamic headers but simple text labels are usually better.

What happens if you don’t use labels for column headers?

A The data will be deleted

B The sheet will not open

C It becomes hard to understand the data

D The sheet will automatically add labels

Without labels, it is difficult to know what each column means.

Explain why column header labels are important in a spreadsheet.

Think about how labels help someone new to your sheet.

Describe how to keep column headers visible when scrolling in Google Sheets.

Look for the feature that locks rows in place.

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