If you’ve ever used Database Functions or Pivot Table in Google Sheets, you might have come across terms like Field, Field Label, Column Name, or Column Label. These terms can be a bit confusing, so let’s break them down and understand their significance.
Column Heading/Column Label in Google Sheets
The Column Headings or Column Labels are the labels you see at the top of your worksheet columns, represented by letters like A, B, C, and so on. These labels help you address specific cells or groups of cells along with the Row Headings or Row Labels (1, 2, 3…). For a better visual understanding, take a look at this image.
In the image, you can see the Column Headings/Labels marked as A, B, C, D, and so on. These labels are crucial in navigating and referencing cells within your Google Sheets.
Field/Field Label/Column Name in Google Sheets
Now, let’s focus on the columns themselves. In the same image, you can observe multiple columns labeled with titles like “Item No.”, “Price”, “Quantity”, and so on. These titles represent the actual names of the columns and are referred to as Column Names or Field Labels in Google Sheets.
Understanding the distinction between the Column Heading and the Field Label is essential, especially when using functions like GETPIVOTDATA or Database Functions. These functions often require you to specify the Column Name instead of simply using “C” or “Column C”. The Column Name corresponds to the data present in each column, as shown in the image.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it’s crucial to differentiate the terms Column Heading/Column Label from Field/Field Label/Column Name. The Column Heading typically represents the Field or Field Label unless explicitly mentioned otherwise. However, when working with functions or referencing specific columns, it’s important to use the specific Column Name or Field Label.
Understanding these terminologies will help you efficiently navigate and utilize Google Sheets for data management and analysis.
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