Google Mail: Create and Apply Labels

Labels are Google’s version of email folders. An advantage of labels over folders is that in Google you can assign an email multiple labels. In an email system with folder structure, each email can only reside in one folder. You can create new labels simply through the label sidebar on the Google Mail screen. You can also create sub labels. Sub labels work like labels but are nested under the desired label.  

For more information about labels, see the following articles:

Create a Label

  1. Navigate to cedarville.edu/google.
  2. Click the "Mail" link and login.
  3. From the Mail screen, click the “More” shortcut in the left sidebar.
  4. Click “Create new label.”
  5. Enter your label name.
  6. Click [Create].

Create a Sub Label (or "Nested" Label)

  1. Follow steps 1-5 of “Create a Label” above.
  2. Check the “Nest label under:” box.
  3. From the drop-down menu, select the label you would like to nest your new label under.
  4. Click [Create].

Apply Labels to Messages

  1. From your Google Mail inbox, check the box(es) next to the message(s) you would like to label.
  2. From the toolbar above your inbox, click the "Labels" icon drop-down menu.  
  3. Check the box(es) next to the label(s) you would like to place your message(s). 
  4. Click "Apply."

Note: You may notice that the labeled messages are not filed away but instead remain in your inbox. If you want to move a labeled conversation out of your inbox, just check the box next to the conversation and click the "Archive" icon. This does not delete your conversation but simply moves it to "All Mail".

Was this helpful?
0 reviews
Print Article