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How to Replace Image Labels

Goal: Update image labels (alt text/descriptions) for all product images using the IMAGES.REPLACELABELS function, either with the same label for all images or individual labels based on image position.

Prerequisites​

  • Excel with cobby installed
  • Products loaded with existing images
  • cobby version 1.38.1.1 or higher for advanced functionality

Understanding IMAGES.REPLACELABELS​

The IMAGES.REPLACELABELS (German: BILDER.BEZEICHNUNGENERSETZEN) function replaces labels for all images of a product.

Two modes:

  1. Basic: Same label for all images
  2. Advanced: Individual labels based on image position

Basic Mode: Same Label for All Images​

Syntax​

=IMAGES.REPLACELABELS(ImageReference;"Label")

Steps​

1. Create Helper Column​

  1. Click on the Images column header
  2. Right-click and select Insert
  3. Name the new column (e.g., "Images Helper")

2. Copy Image Data​

  1. Select all cells in the Images column
  2. Copy them
  3. Paste into the Images Helper column
  4. The original image data is preserved

3. Build the Formula​

  1. Click the first cell in the Images column
  2. Click the fx (Insert Function) button
  3. Select category cobby
  4. Select function BILDER.BEZEICHNUNGENERSETZEN
  5. Click OK

4. Configure Parameters​

In the function dialog:

  1. Reference to Images: Click on the helper column cell (e.g., [@Column1])
  2. Label: Enter your label or reference a column (e.g., [@[Product Name]])

5. Apply to All Products​

  1. Click OK
  2. The formula applies to the first product
  3. Drag the fill handle down to apply to all products

Examples​

Use product name:

=IMAGES.REPLACELABELS([@[Images Helper]];[@[Product Name]])

Use custom text:

=IMAGES.REPLACELABELS([@[Images Helper]];"Product Image")

Combine column and text:

=IMAGES.REPLACELABELS([@[Images Helper]];[@Brand]&" - "&[@[Product Name]])

Advanced Mode: Individual Labels by Position​

Syntax​

=IMAGES.REPLACELABELS(ImageReference;"0:Label1";"1:Label2";"2:Label3")

The number before the colon indicates the image position (0-indexed).

Steps​

1. Prepare Helper Column​

Follow the same steps as Basic Mode to create and populate a helper column.

2. Build Position-Based Formula​

  1. Click the first cell in the Images column
  2. Click fx button and select BILDER.BEZEICHNUNGENERSETZEN
  3. In the function dialog, add labels with position prefixes

3. Configure Labels​

Enter labels with position numbers:

For text labels:

"0:Main Product Image"
"1:Detail View"
"2:Side View"

For cell references:

"0:"&[@[Label Column 1]]
"1:"&[@[Label Column 2]]

For mixed text and cell references:

"0:"&[@[Product Name]]&" - Main View"
"1:"&[@[Product Name]]&" - Detail"

Formula Assistant Limits​

  • In formula assistant: Up to 20 individual labels
  • Manual entry: Up to 100 individual labels

For more than 20 labels, manually edit the formula:

=IMAGES.REPLACELABELS([@Helper];"0:Label1";"1:Label2";...;"99:Label100")

Use Cases​

SEO Optimization​

Use product names and categories for better image SEO:

=IMAGES.REPLACELABELS([@Helper];[@Category]&" - "&[@[Product Name]])

Consistent Image Logic​

If images follow a pattern (position 0 = front, position 1 = back):

=IMAGES.REPLACELABELS([@Helper];"0:"&[@[Product Name]]&" - Front View";"1:"&[@[Product Name]]&" - Back View")

Multilingual Labels​

Reference columns with translated labels:

=IMAGES.REPLACELABELS([@Helper];"0:"&[@[Label_EN]];"1:"&[@[Label_EN_Detail]])

Marketplace Integration​

Add specific labels for different marketplaces:

=IMAGES.REPLACELABELS([@Helper];"0:"&[@SKU]&" - Main";"1:"&[@SKU]&" - Detail")

Troubleshooting​

Formula shows as text
  • Change cell format to General
  • Re-enter the formula
Labels not applying
  • Verify helper column contains original image data
  • Check that position numbers start at 0
  • Ensure colon separates position from label
Wrong labels on wrong images
  • Position numbers are 0-indexed (first image = 0)
  • Verify image position in cobby Task Pane
  • Check formula references correct positions
Formula too long
  • Use cell references instead of long text strings
  • Break into multiple formulas if needed
  • Use Basic Mode if all labels are similar
Only first image gets label
  • Verify you're using position syntax: "0:Label"
  • Add position prefix for each label
  • Check you're not using Basic Mode syntax

Advanced Tips​

Dynamic Positioning​

Use formulas to determine labels based on product attributes:

=IMAGES.REPLACELABELS([@Helper];
  "0:"&IF([@Color]<>"";[@[Product Name]]&" - "&[@Color];[@[Product Name]]);
  "1:"&[@[Product Name]]&" - Detail View")

Conditional Labels​

Apply different label strategies based on product type:

=IF([@[Product Type]]="Configurable";
  IMAGES.REPLACELABELS([@Helper];[@[Product Name]]);
  IMAGES.REPLACELABELS([@Helper];"0:"&[@SKU]&" - Main"))

Bulk Apply with Variations​

Create a separate column for label suffixes:

=IMAGES.REPLACELABELS([@Helper];
  "0:"&[@[Product Name]]&[@[Suffix 1]];
  "1:"&[@[Product Name]]&[@[Suffix 2]])