Apply labels to files in Google Drive

If you use Drive for work or school, your organisation might set up labels to organise files.  

Tips: 

• You can apply up to five labels to each file.
• Only administrators can create labels.
• To apply labels to a file, the administrator must give you access and allow you to edit the file.
• To find labels applied to a file or search for files by their labels, you need: 
  • Access to the file
  • View permission for the label

Apply labels to an unopened file

1. On your computer, go to Drive.
2. Right-click the file  click Labels   Apply labels .
3. Select the label that you want to apply.
4. If the label has one or more fields, you can choose or enter values.

Tips:

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

Apply labels in bulk 

1. On your computer, go to Drive.
2. Choose up to 100 files to which you want to apply the label.
3. Right-click the mouse, then click Labels  Apply a label.
4. Select a label and choose any field values to apply to the file.

Apply labels to files in Docs, Sheets or Slides 

1. On your computer, go to Docs, Sheets or Slides. 
2. Click File  Labels .
3. In the side panel, review labels and apply new ones. 
4. To remove a label from a file, select a label and click Remove .

Apply labels to non-Google files in Drive preview 

1. On your computer, go to Drive.
2. To view a file in Drive preview, click More  Labels .
3. On the side panel, review labels and apply new ones. 
4. To remove a label from a file, select a label and click Remove .

Search for files with labels

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

1. On your computer, go to Drive.
2. At the top, click Search in Drive Show search options.
3. Next to 'Labels', click Search labels.
4. Click the label. You can select a field and specify a value.
5. Click Search.

Tip: Search only returns the files that you have permission to access.