Labels

Labels are the categories you assign to annotations, such as person or car. Each image dataset has its own set of labels. Document datasets do not use labels.

How labels work

• A label has a Label name and a Label color. The color is how its annotations appear in the editor.
• Names are unique within a dataset and can be up to 255 characters.
• A label has no shape of its own: the same label can be used on bounding boxes and polygons. You pick the shape with the drawing tool.
• Labels belong to one dataset. To use the same categories in another dataset, create them there too.

Tip

Name labels after the category, such as person or car, not after a specific thing, such as a person’s name. Magic Select and Magic Annotate use label names to know what to look for in the image.

Create labels

You can create labels from the dataset page or while you annotate.

1. Open the dataset. In the Labels card, select Manage labels (the gear button). On a dataset without labels, select Add labels.
2. Pick a color with the color swatch and enter a Label name.
3. Select Add. Repeat for every label you need.

In the editor, you can also create a label:

• In the right panel, open the Labels tab and select Create label.
• In the label picker that opens after you draw a shape, type a name that does not exist yet and select Create “name”, or select New label. Pick a color and select Create.
• In the Magic Annotate panel, select Create label.

A label created from the label picker is assigned to the shape you just drew.

Edit a label

1. Open Manage labels on the dataset page, or the Labels tab in the editor.
2. Select the edit (pencil) button next to the label.
3. Change the name or the color, then save.

Changes apply to every annotation that uses the label.

Delete a label

1. Open Manage labels on the dataset page, or the Labels tab in the editor.
2. Select the delete (trash) button next to the label.
3. If the label is in use, the dialog shows how many annotations use it across the dataset. Choose what happens to them:
   • Delete n annotations removes them with the label.
   • Assign n annotations to label name moves them to another label.
4. Select Delete.

Deleting a label cannot be undone.

Permissions

Anyone who can view the dataset sees its labels. Creating, editing, and deleting labels needs edit access. See Datasets.

Next steps

• Annotate images
• Automatic annotation
• Review assets