How to Rename Dataset Column Names in Apache Superset?

  

When working with dashboards and charts in Apache Superset, the original database column names are often too technical or difficult for business users to understand.

 

For example:

·      product_name may look more readable as Product Name

·      cust_id may be better displayed as Customer ID

·      rev_amt may be easier to understand as Revenue Amount

 

Renaming columns in Superset helps make charts, tables, and dashboards more user-friendly without modifying the actual database schema.

 

Why Changing Column Names Is Important?

Changing column labels in Superset is useful because:

 

·      Improves dashboard readability

·      Makes reports business-friendly

·      Hides technical database naming conventions

·      Helps non-technical users understand charts easily

·      Provides cleaner visualization labels

·      Standardizes naming across dashboards

 

The important thing to understand is:

·      Changing the column label in Superset does NOT rename the actual database column.

·      It only changes how the column name is displayed inside Superset visualizations.

 

Steps to Rename Dataset Columns in Superset

 

Step 1: Navigate to the Datasets Page

Open Superset and navigate to the Datasets listing page. Locate the dataset whose column names you want to update.

 

Step 2: Edit the Dataset

 

For example, let us update the column names in the product_details dataset.

 

Click the Edit action corresponding to this dataset.

 

This opens the dataset edit form.

 

Step 3: Open the Columns Tab

Inside the dataset edit screen, navigate to the Columns tab.

 

This section displays all the columns available in the dataset.

 

Step 4: Expand the Column

 

Expand the column that you want to rename. You will see multiple configuration options for that column.

 

Locate the Label text box.

 

Enter the new display name in the Label field.

 

For example:

 

·      Original column name: product_name

·      New label: Product Name

 

Once saved, Superset will display Product Name in charts and dashboards instead of product_name.

 

Click on Save button to save these changes.

 

Click on OK button.

 

This change only affects how the column name appears inside Superset. The actual database column name remains unchanged.

 

What If You Want to Rename a Column Only for a Specific Chart?

Sometimes you may want to customize the column name only at the chart level instead of changing it globally for the entire dataset.

 

For example:

·      One chart may need Revenue

·      Another chart may need Total Sales Amount

 

In the next post, I will explain how to rename columns only for individual charts in Superset.

 

That’s it, you're good to go.

 

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