# Customizing the Default Header Labels

Customize the default appearance of header cells by changing its labels using Spread for ASP.NET. Learn more in documentation.

## Content

By default the component displays sequential letters in the bottom row of the column header and sequentially increasing numbers in the right-most column of the row header. If your sheet displays multiple column header rows or row header columns, you can specify which column or row displays these default labels. In the following figure, the column headers show numbers instead of letters and the labels are shown in the second row instead of the bottom row. You can also display no default labels.
![Sheet with autotext in second column header row](https://cdn.mescius.io/document-site-files/images/346c9178-0ed8-4fb9-908b-1565b22fb408/artwork/hdrautotext.png)
You can also set the number (or letter) at which to start the sequential numbering (or lettering) of the labels using a property of the sheet. Use the [StartingColumnNumber](/spreadnet/api/latest/online-asp/FarPoint.Web.Spread/FarPoint.Web.Spread.SheetView.StartingColumnNumber.html) property or [StartingRowNumber](/spreadnet/api/latest/online-asp/FarPoint.Web.Spread/FarPoint.Web.Spread.SheetView.StartingRowNumber.html) property of the [SheetView](/spreadnet/api/latest/online-asp/FarPoint.Web.Spread/FarPoint.Web.Spread.SheetView.html) object to set the number or letter displayed in the first column header or first row header respectively on the sheet. The starting number or letter is used only for display purposes and has no effect on the actual row and column coordinates.

> !type=note
> **Note:** The value of a starting number or letter is an integer, so if the header displays letters and set the starting letter to 10, the first header cell contains the letter J.

You can also choose to display custom text in the headers instead of or in addition to the automatic label text. For instructions, see [Customizing Header Label Text](/spreadnet/docs/latest/online-asp/overview/spweb-devguide/spweb-appearSet/spweb-appearHeader/spweb-HeaderContent).

## Using the Properties Window

1. At design time, in the **Properties** window, select the FpSpread component.
2. Select the **Sheets** property.
3. Click the button to display the **SheetView Collection Editor**.
4. Click the sheet for which you want to change the header labels.
5. To change the header labels displayed, change the setting of the ColumnHeader AutoText or RowHeader AutoText property.
6. To change the row or column in the header in which the label is displayed, change the setting of the ColumnHeader AutoTextIndex or RowHeader AutoTextIndex property (the index is zero-based).
7. Click **OK** to close the editor.

## Using a Shortcut

1. To change the settings for the column header, set the [ColumnHeaderAutoText](/spreadnet/api/latest/online-asp/FarPoint.Web.Spread/FarPoint.Web.Spread.SheetView.ColumnHeaderAutoText.html) property for the sheet (or the [AutoText](/spreadnet/api/latest/online-asp/FarPoint.Web.Spread/FarPoint.Web.Spread.ColumnHeader.AutoText.html) property of the [ColumnHeader](/spreadnet/api/latest/online-asp/FarPoint.Web.Spread/FarPoint.Web.Spread.ColumnHeader.html) object) and the [ColumnHeaderAutoTextIndex](/spreadnet/api/latest/online-asp/FarPoint.Web.Spread/FarPoint.Web.Spread.SheetView.ColumnHeaderAutoTextIndex.html) property of the sheet (or the [AutoTextIndex](/spreadnet/api/latest/online-asp/FarPoint.Web.Spread/FarPoint.Web.Spread.ColumnHeader.AutoTextIndex.html) property of the [ColumnHeader](/spreadnet/api/latest/online-asp/FarPoint.Web.Spread/FarPoint.Web.Spread.ColumnHeader.html) object). Use the [HeaderAutoText](/spreadnet/api/latest/online-asp/FarPoint.Web.Spread/FarPoint.Web.Spread.HeaderAutoText.html) enumeration with the auto text properties.
2. To change the settings for the row header, set the [RowHeaderAutoText](/spreadnet/api/latest/online-asp/FarPoint.Web.Spread/FarPoint.Web.Spread.SheetView.RowHeaderAutoText.html) property for the sheet (or the [AutoText](/spreadnet/api/latest/online-asp/FarPoint.Web.Spread/FarPoint.Web.Spread.RowHeader.AutoText.html) property of the [RowHeader](/spreadnet/api/latest/online-asp/FarPoint.Web.Spread/FarPoint.Web.Spread.RowHeader.html) object) and the [RowHeaderAutoTextIndex](/spreadnet/api/latest/online-asp/FarPoint.Web.Spread/FarPoint.Web.Spread.SheetView.RowHeaderAutoTextIndex.html) property for the sheet (or the [AutoTextIndex](/spreadnet/api/latest/online-asp/FarPoint.Web.Spread/FarPoint.Web.Spread.RowHeader.AutoTextIndex.html) property of the [RowHeader](/spreadnet/api/latest/online-asp/FarPoint.Web.Spread/FarPoint.Web.Spread.RowHeader.html) object).

## Example

This example code sets the column header to display numbers instead of letters and changes the row header to letters.

```csharp
// Set the column header to display numbers instead of letters.
FpSpread1.Sheets[0].ColumnHeaderAutoTextIndex = 1;
FpSpread1.Sheets[0].ColumnHeaderAutoText = FarPoint.Web.Spread.HeaderAutoText.Numbers;
// Change row headers to letters
FpSpread1.Sheets[0].RowHeaderAutoText = FarPoint.Web.Spread.HeaderAutoText.Letters;
```

```vbnet
' Set the column header to display numbers instead of letters.
FpSpread1.Sheets(0).ColumnHeaderAutoTextIndex = 1
FpSpread1.Sheets(0).ColumnHeaderAutoText = FarPoint.Web.Spread.HeaderAutoText.Numbers
' Change row headers to letters
FpSpread1.Sheets(0).RowHeaderAutoText = FarPoint.Web.Spread.HeaderAutoText.Letters
```

## Using the Spread Designer

1. Select the sheet for which you want to modify the header label (automatic text) settings.
2. Select the **Settings** menu. Select the **Headers** icon in the **Sheet Settings** section. Select the **Column** or **Row Header** tab.
3. Change the settings of the **AutoText** and **AutoTextIndex** properties to specify the header label to display and which column or row in the header should display the automatic text. You can also specify other header properties such as the starting column or row number.
4. Click **OK** to close the dialog.
5. From the **File** menu choose **Apply and Exit** to apply your changes to the component and exit Spread Designer.