> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.messagedesk.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Organize Inbox Conversations with Labels

> Create, apply, and manage color-coded labels in MessageDesk to organize SMS conversations, build saved filters, and group threads across your team workspace.

# Organize & Group Conversations With Labels

Labels let you sort, find, and manage conversations fast without building complicated folder structures.

A label is a small badge made of **text + color + icon** that you can apply to any conversation.

***

## Why use labels

* **Stay organized.** Group related conversations across teams and topics.
* **Work faster.** Scan your inbox and spot priorities by color/icon.
* **Report & review.** Filter by label to see everything for a project, region, or status.
* **Keep it simple.** Add or remove labels anytime. No impact on message delivery.

<Note>
  You can apply **multiple labels** to the same conversation.
</Note>

***

## Common label ideas (by team)

**Logistics / Dispatch**

* **Drivers.** Conversations with field staff.
* **Region: North** / **Region: South.** Geographic routing.
* **Urgent.** Time-sensitive jobs.

**HR**

* **Benefits.** Questions and announcements.
* **New hire.** Onboarding conversations.

**Support / Success**

* **Support.** Active cases.
* **Review-ready.** Happy customers to invite for a review.
* **Bug.** Product issues to track.

**Sales / Ops**

* **Proposal.** Outstanding quotes.
* **Order.** Order updates.
* **Won** / **Lost.** Quick stage markers.

<Tip>
  Use a short **prefix** for clarity (`HR: New hire`, `Sales: Proposal`, `Support: Bug`).
</Tip>

***

## Label a conversation (from the Inbox)

1. Open a conversation.
2. Click the **Label** icon (top-right of the thread).
3. Check one or more labels to apply them.
4. Close the menu. The labels appear above the thread and in the conversation list.

**Remove a label.** Reopen the **Label** menu and uncheck it.

<Note>
  Labels without a custom icon show a placeholder label icon in the menu.
</Note>

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/messagedesk/VBLUt4zyKqajZzxn/images/inbox-labels-menu.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=VBLUt4zyKqajZzxn&q=85&s=82071aa8dc47ada5fcbdd3639b1544cd" alt="Inbox Labels Menu Pn" width="3504" height="2126" data-path="images/inbox-labels-menu.png" />

After you label a conversation, you'll see every label on that conversation in the Inbox list.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/messagedesk/7Biv_CnN4aOOB0LE/images/inbox-labeled-conversations.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=7Biv_CnN4aOOB0LE&q=85&s=de8772c22cabfb7438dd64b3e93d6cff" alt="Inbox Labeled Conversations Pn" width="3504" height="2124" data-path="images/inbox-labeled-conversations.png" />

## Create & edit labels (quickly from the message thread)

1. Open a conversation, then click the **Label** icon.
2. Click **Create label** (or **Edit labels**).
3. Set **Name**, **Color**, and **Icon**, then click **Save**.

<Tip>
  Keep names short and scannable. Prefer `Proposal – ACME` over `All proposals currently outstanding for ACME Corp`.
</Tip>

## Create & manage labels (Workspace Settings)

Admins can manage labels for everyone.

1. Go to **Account → Settings**.
2. Under **Workspace Settings**, open **Inbox Settings → Labels**.
3. **Create**, **rename**, **change color/icon**, or **remove** labels.

<Tip>
  **Multi-select** labels and **delete them in bulk** from Label Settings. No need to remove them one at a time.
</Tip>

<Note>
  Labels sort **alphabetically (A–Z)** by name across label menus, settings, and filters. To control where a label appears, rename it (add a prefix like `HR:` or `Support:`).
</Note>

<Warning>
  Renaming a label updates it **everywhere** it's used.
</Warning>

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/messagedesk/PUWfLocnnU6L_0Xm/images/settings-labels.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=PUWfLocnnU6L_0Xm&q=85&s=31f72c3ac25f72ac79927c34cadc729b" alt="Settings Labels Pn" width="3504" height="2124" data-path="images/settings-labels.png" />

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/messagedesk/DJ7qC-z1POwULwj5/images/settings-create-edit-label.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=DJ7qC-z1POwULwj5&q=85&s=5bebb429f8be66af7c469eaad0cbe076" alt="Settings Create Edit Label Pn" width="3504" height="2122" data-path="images/settings-create-edit-label.png" />

## Find conversations by label

* Open your **Inbox** and use the **filter/search** to show conversations with a specific label.
* Save common filters (`Support + Urgent`) as a **view** so your team can jump in fast.

***

## Label naming & color conventions

* **Keep it short.** 1–2 words, or a word plus emoji/icon.
* **Use prefixes.** `HR:`, `Ops:`, `Sales:`, `Support:`.
* **Color with intent.**
  * Green = success/ready
  * Yellow = waiting/attention
  * Red = urgent/blocker
* **Avoid duplicates.** One meaning per label name.

**Examples**

* `Support: Urgent`
* `Sales: Proposal`
* `Ops: Region – West`
* `HR: New hire`
* `Review-ready`

***

## FAQ

**Can I apply more than one label to a conversation?**\
Yes. Apply as many as you need.

**Do labels affect who can see a conversation or whether messages send?**\
No. Labels don't change permissions or deliverability. They're for organization and filtering only.

**Can I edit or delete a label later?**\
Yes. Edit the name/color/icon anytime from **Inbox (Label menu)** or **Workspace Settings**. Deleting a label removes it from every conversation. You can also multi-select and delete multiple labels at once from **Label Settings**.

**Can I filter by more than one label at a time?**\
Yes. Combine labels in a filter to narrow your view (`Support` + `Urgent`).

***

## Troubleshooting

* **I don't see the Label icon.**\
  Make sure you're inside a conversation, not just the inbox list. If it's still missing, check your workspace permissions.
* **I created a label, but teammates can't find it.**\
  Ask them to refresh the inbox. Confirm you created it in **Workspace Settings** if it should be available to everyone.
* **We have too many similar labels.**\
  Standardize names with prefixes, merge duplicates (rename to the preferred label, then archive the old one), and document your naming rules in a short internal note.