Label and rate files

Last updated on Apr 7, 2026

Learn how to label and rate files in Adobe Bridge.

Labeling files with a certain color or assigning ratings of zero (0) to five stars lets you mark many files quickly. You can then sort files according to their color label or rating.For example, suppose you’re viewing many imported images in Adobe Bridge.

As you review each new image, you can label the images you want to keep. After this initial pass, you can use the Sort command to display and work on files that you’ve labeled with a particular color.You can label and rate folders and files. You can assign names to labels in Labels preferences. The name is then added to the file’s metadata when you apply the label. When you change the names of labels in preferences, any files with the older label appear with white labels in the Content panel.

Note

When you view folders, Adobe Bridge shows both labeled and unlabeled files until you choose another option.

To label files, do any of the following:

  • Select one or more files and right-click (win)/ ctrl-click (mac). Select Label from the context menu and choose any of the label options. To remove labels from files, select No Label.
  • Select one or more files > Select Label from the menu bar. Choose any of the label options in the context menu that opens. To remove labels from files, select No Label.
Explore various label options in Adobe Bridge.
Explore various label options in Adobe Bridge.

To rate files, select one or more files and do any of the following:

  • In the Content panel, select a thumbnail to view the rating icons. If necessary, scale the thumbnails until the icons appear. Select the star icon on the basis of number of stars you want to assign to a file. Select the unrate icon () to remove the rating of any file. For a selected thumbnail, you can also select a filled star to remove its rating. (In the List view, make sure that the Ratings column is visible.)
  • Select Label from the menu bar. To add or remove one star, select Label >Increase Rating or Label > Decrease Rating. To remove all stars, select Label >No Rating. To add a Reject rating, choose Label > Reject or press Alt+Delete (win) or Option+Delete (Mac). To hide rejected files in Adobe Bridge, select View > Show Reject Files.