Labels and Unique Names

Every object is identified by its location in plan, and this is called the label. Objects in different stories that have the same location in plan usually have the same label. This label is assigned by ETABS, not by the user. For example, there may be Joints 1-10, beams B1-B21, columns C1-C10, floors F1 and F2, diaphragm D1, and so forth, on every story. Some stories may have objects with additional labels. The label is not editable. The label may change automatically; for example, if B4 is deleted on every story, beams B5-B10 become B4 to B9.

Every object has a name that is unique within the model for each type object (joint, frame, shell, link, diaphragm). Note that frame names are unique over the set of beams, columns and braces, and shell names are unique of the set of floors and walls. The name is assigned automatically when the object is created, but it can be changed by the user. It does not change automatically when other objects are deleted. Unique names are particularly useful in the Open API.

For most purposes in ETABS, an object is identified by the Story, the Label, and the Unique Name.

Note: A Tower identifier is included in the Story ID if the Options menu > Allow Multiple Towers command is enabled. For example, T1-Story4 identifies Story 4 of Tower 1.