# Customizing the Default Header Labels

Learn how to customize default header labels in your Spread component to display sequential letters or numbers, or even custom text.

## Content

By default the Spread 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 choose not to display the default labels.
![Sheet with autotext in second column header row](https://cdn.mescius.io/document-site-files/images/2238e618-a1fb-45a6-9ce5-9a4157bd2931/images/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-win/FarPoint.Win.Spread/FarPoint.Win.Spread.SheetView.StartingColumnNumber.html) property or [StartingRowNumber](/spreadnet/api/latest/online-win/FarPoint.Win.Spread/FarPoint.Win.Spread.SheetView.StartingRowNumber.html) property of the [SheetView](/spreadnet/api/latest/online-win/FarPoint.Win.Spread/FarPoint.Win.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.

| **HeaderAutoText's Value** | **Description** |
| ---------------------- | ----------- |
| Blank | Do not display anything in the header |
| Letters | Display letters in header |
| Numbers | Display numbers in header |

In case of multiple rows in column header, you can set the row index to display the automatic serial number with the [SheetView](/spreadnet/api/latest/online-win/FarPoint.Win.Spread/FarPoint.Win.Spread.SheetView.html) class's [ColumnHeaderAutoTextIndex](/spreadnet/api/latest/online-win/FarPoint.Win.Spread/FarPoint.Win.Spread.SheetView.ColumnHeaderAutoTextIndex.html) property. And, in case of multiple columns in row header, you can set the column index to display the automatic serial number with the [RowHeaderAutoTextIndex](/spreadnet/api/latest/online-win/FarPoint.Win.Spread/FarPoint.Win.Spread.SheetView.RowHeaderAutoTextIndex.html) property.Similar settings can be made using the [AutoTextIndex](/spreadnet/api/latest/online-win/FarPoint.Win.Spread/FarPoint.Win.Spread.RowHeader.AutoTextIndex.html) property of the ColumnHeader class or the [AutoTextIndex](/spreadnet/api/latest/online-win/FarPoint.Win.Spread/FarPoint.Win.Spread.ColumnHeader.AutoTextIndex.html) property of the RowHeader class.
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-win/overview/spwin-devguide/spwin-ssobject-header/spwin-headertext/spwin-headerlabel).

> !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.

## Using the Properties Window

1. At design time, in the **Properties** window, select the Spread 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 **ColumnHeaderAutoText** or **RowHeaderAutoText** property.
6. To change the row or column in the header in which the label is displayed, change the setting of the **ColumnHeaderAutoTextIndex** or **RowHeaderAutoTextIndex** property.
7. Click **OK** to close the editor.

## Method to set

1. To change the settings for the column header, set the Sheet object's [ColumnHeaderAutoText](/spreadnet/api/latest/online-win/FarPoint.Win.Spread/FarPoint.Win.Spread.SheetView.ColumnHeaderAutoText.html) and [ColumnHeaderAutoTextIndex](/spreadnet/api/latest/online-win/FarPoint.Win.Spread/FarPoint.Win.Spread.SheetView.ColumnHeaderAutoTextIndex.html) properties.
2. To change the settings for the row header, set the Sheet object's [RowHeaderAutoText](/spreadnet/api/latest/online-win/FarPoint.Win.Spread/FarPoint.Win.Spread.SheetView.RowHeaderAutoText.html) and [RowHeaderAutoTextIndex](/spreadnet/api/latest/online-win/FarPoint.Win.Spread/FarPoint.Win.Spread.SheetView.RowHeaderAutoTextIndex.html) properties.

## Example

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

```csharp
// Set the column header to display numbers instead of letters.
fpSpread1.Sheets[0].ColumnHeader.RowCount = 3;
fpSpread1.Sheets[0].ColumnHeaderAutoTextIndex = 1;
fpSpread1.Sheets[0].ColumnHeaderAutoText = FarPoint.Win.Spread.HeaderAutoText.Numbers;
fpSpread1.Sheets[0].RowHeaderAutoText = FarPoint.Win.Spread.HeaderAutoText.Letters;
```

```vbnet
' Set the column header to display numbers instead of letters.
fpSpread1.Sheets(0).ColumnHeader.RowCount = 3
fpSpread1.Sheets(0).ColumnHeaderAutoTextIndex = 1
fpSpread1.Sheets(0).ColumnHeaderAutoText = FarPoint.Win.Spread.HeaderAutoText.Numbers
fpSpread1.Sheets(0).RowHeaderAutoText = FarPoint.Win.Spread.HeaderAutoText.Letters
```

## Using the Spread Designer

1. Select the sheet tab for the sheet for which you want to modify the header label (automatic text) settings.
2. In the properties list, in the **Appearance** category, double-click the **ColumnHeader** or **RowHeader** property to display the properties for the column or row header.
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.
4. From the **File** menu choose **Apply and Exit** to apply your changes to the component and exit Spread Designer.

## See Also

[Setting the Header Text](/spreadnet/docs/latest/online-win/overview/spwin-devguide/spwin-ssobject-header/spwin-headertext)
[Customizing Header Label Text](/spreadnet/docs/latest/online-win/overview/spwin-devguide/spwin-ssobject-header/spwin-headertext/spwin-headerlabel)