How to rename a field in Looker Studio ?

There are two ways to rename a field in Looker Studio, each with its own advantages and disadvantages:

1. Renaming in the Data Source

This method renames the field in the data source itself, ensuring the name is updated across all charts and future uses of the field.

Steps:
Open your report in Looker Studio.
Select your data source by going to the "Resource" tab and selecting "Manage added data sources."
Open the data source editor by clicking the Edit button of the data source.
In the data source schema, find the field you want to rename.
Click the field name to edit it.
Update the "Field Name" to the new name.

Advantages:
The field is renamed everywhere automatically.
The new name will apply every time you use the field in the future.
Disadvantages:
If you copy the report with a different data source from the same connector, the field won't be recognized, causing configuration errors where it's used.

2. Renaming Directly in Each Chart

This method allows you to rename the field for each chart individually without altering the data source.

Steps:
Click on a chart in your report that uses the field.
In the Data panel, locate the field in the "Dimensions" or "Metrics" section.
Click on the left of the field and rename it directly in the chart settings.
Repeat for each chart where you want the field renamed.

Advantages:
If you copy the report, the renamed field will be recognized in the new data source.

Disadvantages:
You need to manually rename the field in every chart where it’s used.

Note: If you plan to create a template to reuse the report by copying it, it’s better to use the second method (renaming directly in each chart).

Updated on: 16/10/2024