---
schema_version: "1"
id: 8176d356684ed1b9a4559af99364740f52a188654b64453d3707ee3759e58a19
title: Getting Labels in Apex
collection: developer
version: current
locale: en-us
portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/developer/current/en-us/platform/aura-platform/guides/aura/labels/labels-apex.md
canonical_url: https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/platform/aura-platform/guide/labels-apex.html
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content_type: documentation
content_hash: 1120f9123ecbb569f5b798eeb93153f9057f583ef88ee3db96032dda53e87d07
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  - Lightning Aura Components Developer Guide
  - Platform Developer Content
---

# Getting Labels in Apex

You can retrieve label values in Apex code and set them on your component using JavaScript.

## Custom Labels

Custom labels have a limit of 1,000 characters and can be accessed from an Apex class. To define custom labels, from Setup, in the Quick Find box, enter `Custom Labels`, and then select **Custom Labels**.

In your Apex class, reference the label with the syntax `System.Label.MyLabelName`.

```visualforce
public with sharing class LabelController {
    @AuraEnabled
    public static String getLabel() {
        String s1 = 'Hello from Apex Controller, ' ;
        String s2 = System.Label.MyLabelName;
        return s1 + s2;
    }
}
```

**note:** Return label values as plain text strings. You can’t return a label expression using the `$Label` global value provider.

The component loads the labels by requesting it from the server, such as during initialization. For example, the label is retrieved in JavaScript code.

```javascript
({
    doInit : function(component, event, helper) {
        var action = component.get("c.getLabel");
        action.setCallback(this, function(response) {
            var state = response.getState();
            if (state === "SUCCESS") {
                component.set("v.mylabel", response.getReturnValue());
            }
            // error handling when state is "INCOMPLETE" or "ERROR"
         });
         $A.enqueueAction(action);
    }
})
```

Finally, make sure you wire up the Apex class to your component. The label is set on the component during initialization.

```nolang
<aura:component controller="LabelController">
    <aura:handler name="init" value="{!this}" action="{!c.doInit}" />
    <aura:attribute name="mylabel" type="String"/>
    {!v.mylabel}
</aura:component>
```

## Passing in Label Values

Pass label values into components using the expression syntax `{!v.mylabel}`. You must provide a default value to the String attribute. Depending on your use case, the default value might be the label in the default language or, if the specific label can’t be known until runtime, perhaps just a single space.

```nolang
<aura:component controller="LabelController">
    <aura:attribute name="mylabel" type="String" default=" "/>
    <lightning:input name="mytext" label="{!v.mylabel}"/>
</aura:component>
```

You can also retrieve labels in JavaScript code, including dynamically creating labels that are generated during runtime. For more information, see [Getting Labels in JavaScript](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/platform/aura-platform/guide/labels-dynamic.md).

## Retrieving Custom Labels Using `System.Label` Methods

You can use methods in the `System.Label` class to check for and retrieve translated labels.

-   To check if translation exists for a label and language in a namespace, use `translationExists(namespace, label, language)`.
-   To retrieve the custom label for a specified namespace and default language setting, use `get(namespace, label)`.
-   To retrieve the custom label for a specified namespace and language, use `get(namespace, label, language)`.

**See Also**  


-   [*Apex Reference Guide*: Label Class](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexref.meta/apexref/apex_class_System_Label.htm)