How can a space owner or admin bulk-label a set of pages?

[MR]

I've found instructions for bulk-labeling pages as a site admin, however, as a space owner I need to be able to select a subset of my pages based upon specific criteria in order to apply a new label for those pages.

How can I go about doing this?

Right now, I only need to do this once, and an API approach is perfectly acceptable.  I'm just not clear if I can do it as a user.  Also, its not likely that I'll be able to have an app accepted by our admin team, its a high bar and costs are heavily scrutinized - unlikely if I'm the only one asking for it.

[MR · Accepted solution]

Turns out, no fancy code or apps needed.  Just use Automation!

Here is the recipe I used to do my one-time task.

1. Create automation per recipe here (composite image to show all the steps):

2. Click the ellipsis menu for the page you want to apply it to,

3. Choose "Automate"

4. Choose your automation and wait for it to do its thing.

BONUS: I can keep the rule, maybe mark it private for myself, and change the logic any time I need a bulk operation.  This is way better than what I could find in any of the label managers that only have very simple ways of defining selections of pages to modify.

[Stavros_Rougas_EasyApps]

@MR automation can definitely help, and ability to reuse it helps is a good point.

But as the creator of a label manager app I have to disagree that it's difficult to select pages with an app. I would argue it is easier than an automaton in most situations.

Plus you get a preview and other options that would be harder to do with an automation (deleting labels for admins for example).

I know Atlassian wants to give the impression that upgrade to premium then don't really need apps. But the reality is that if something is a regular business requirement, a tool to help can save your team time and possibly more importantly ensure accuracy.

Don't get me wrong I like and use automations, and sometimes have to do the grunt work, no automation, no app.

[MR]

Aside from the fact that your app is not an option for my situation, since its a long drawn out process....

How would you change your "Apply to" section to be like the formula I showed in my graphic:  pages with label 'A' but NOT label 'B'

I only see child pages, pages I select, and search by page titles as options.

Ideally, that logic above, as well as title search with RegEx would be ideal.  

The non-trivial logic is necessary to create extra labels because so many other macros that use labels don't really distinguish, often only letting you use one label, or a list of labels... and its inconsistent whether a macro allowing more than one macro will be an ANY or ALL search.

Address those needs and you'll probably have me start pining my organization to consider installing your app.

[Stavros_Rougas_EasyApps]

@MR good points, let me discuss them with the team. Thanks for the feedback.

[Cyrille Martin]

Hi @MR 

Through the interface, natively, you cannot bulk apply labels.

Some apps allow you to do that, it depends if you are in a one shot action or a recurring one.

You can use this app : label manager 
But several other apps exist : https://marketplace.atlassian.com/search?query=bulk%20labels&product=confluence&hosting=cloud 

Regards,

[MR]

I'm plenty comfortable using APIs, do you know if this can be done without a site admin user?

[Stavros_Rougas_EasyApps]

@Cyrille Martin after writing my comment I realized that you already suggested apps, including our label manager. Thanks.

It's not obvious but it's one of many bulk editing tools in Space Content Manager, better value for money and less admin burden. Plus without tools like a bulk find and replace the error rate it too high or too easy to miss something, we have all done it, inevitable without proper resources given the number of possible pages impacted.

[MR]

Right now, I only need to do this once, and an API approach is perfectly acceptable.  I'm just not clear if I can do it as a user.  Also, its not likely that I'll be able to have an app accepted by our admin team, its a high bar and costs are heavily scrutinized - unlikely if I'm the only one asking for it.  Even free apps have a process to go through and can take quite some time to get approval.

[Abi Brown- Kolekti]

Hello @MR 

Just in case you do go down the app route  please do check out  Panorama for Confluence - analyse & organise your content  as it answers your problem with the ability to easily bulk add/delete labels & pages and even create pages. Always happy to show it to you or even discuss automation if it helps. 

Thanks

Abi 

Senior Customer Success Manager 

[Stavros_Rougas_EasyApps]

@MR if you need to do thing on an ongoing basis you need to consider an app, yes it will cost money (sorry) but it will save you lots of time and reduce unintended errors, with luck you will do even more as find app offers features didn't expect.

We made such an app. Label Manager by Easy Apps (it's also part of our suite of bulk editing tools called Space Content Manager). Bulk add, delete and as an admin also merge or rename. Are a couple of other options as well.

[Stavros_Rougas_EasyApps]

@MR never hurts to test new apps in a personal (free) instance. Most apps are free up to 10 users. I get that it needs to be compelling to ask admin/company to consider purchasing. Some apps are, some are not, only way to know is to test.