A label is an alphabetic character string used to name lines or strings of data for easy reference. Because labels remain with the lines to which they are assigned, they are especially useful in keeping track of lines whose numbers might change. Most labels are assigned in macros, but certain labels are automatically assigned by the ISPF editor.

You can assign a label to a line by typing the label over the line number on the left side of the panel. The label is displayed in place of the number whenever the line is being displayed. If you then move the line, the label moves with it. You cannot type a label on a non-data line or on the line that is displayed to show one or more lines is excluded.

A label must begin with a period, and be followed by no more than 5 alphabetic characters (8 for edit macros), the first of which cannot be a Z. Labels beginning with Z are reserved for use by the editor. No special or numeric characters are allowed.

To eliminate a single label, blank it out. To eliminate all labels, use the RESET LABEL command.

An edit macro can assign labels to lines that the macro references frequently. See Labels in edit macros for details.