Apply labels to files in Google Drive

If you use Drive for work or school, your organization might set up labels that you can use to organize, find, and classify files in Drive. You can apply up to 5 labels to each file.

On this page

• Who can create, set, and view labels
• Apply labels to an unopened file
• Bulk apply labels
• Apply labels to open files in Docs, Sheets, or Slides
• Apply labels to non-Google files in Drive preview
• View labels on your mobile device
• Search for files with labels

			Badged label
			Standard label

Who can create, set, and view labels

• Only label administrators can create labels.
• To apply labels to a file, you need Edit access to the file and the label administrator must allow you to apply the label.
• To see which labels are applied to a file, or search for files by their labels, you need access to the file and view permission for the label.

Apply labels to an unopened file

1. On your computer, go to drive.google.com.
2. Click the file, then click Info.
3. In the Labels section of the Details panel, click Apply label.
4. Select the label that you want to apply.
5. If the label has one or more fields, you can optionally choose or enter values.

Note:

• To remove a label from a file, find the label you want to remove and click Remove.
• If you don't see the Labels section, your administrator may not have set up labels or allowed you access. Contact your administrator.

Bulk apply labels

1. On your computer, go to drive.google.com.
2. Select up to 100 files that you want to apply the label to.
3. Right-click (secondary context click), then click LabelsApply a label.
4. Choose a label and any field values to apply to the file.

Apply labels to open files in Docs, Sheets, Slides 

1. With the file open, click FileLabels.
2. In the side panel, review existing labels and apply new labels. To remove a label from a file, find the label you want to remove and click Remove.

Apply labels to non-Google files in Drive Preview 

1. When viewing a file in Drive Preview, click More Labels.
2. In the side panel, review existing labels and apply new labels. To remove a label from a file, find the label you want to remove and click Remove .

View labels on your mobile device

1. On your mobile device, open the Drive app.
2. Find the file that you want to view labels for.
3. Without opening the file, click More Details and activityLabels.
4. For open files, click More  DetailsLabels.

Note: You can't apply or change labels in the mobile app.

Search for files with labels

Use Drive search options to find content with specific labels or fields. 

1. On your computer, go to drive.google.com.
2. At the top, click Search in DriveShow search options.
3. Next to Labels, click Search labels.
4. Click the label. Optionally, select a field and specify a value.
5. Click Search.

Note: Search returns only files you can access.

Resources

• Article for IT administrators: Get started as a Drive labels admin