Object names
Reserved characters for database names
These characters are not allowed in database names: \ / | < > ? * " :.
Special character for cube and dimension names
Dimension and cube names that start with the pound character (#) are only visible to users with the Administer OLAP Database permission. They are hidden from other users. This feature is mostly used for system dimensions and access cubes.
Reserved characters for object names
These characters are not allowed in cube, dimension, hierarchy, and attribute field names:
- Characters with ASCII codes below 32.
- The [ ] \ / : * ? " < > and | characters.
The name of an alternate hierarchy cannot start with a number. This is reserved for future use. There is an exception, an implicit hierarchy can start with a number. This is allowed for backward compatibility.
Cube and dimension names must also adhere to rules for file names of the operating system.
Spaces in object names
Spaces are allowed in names of cubes, dimensions, hierarchies, elements, and attribute fields. Leading and trailing spaces are removed. This behavior is not configurable. Internally, names are saved without leading and trailing spaces. Names are case insensitive, so "AB" is the same as "ab".
This table describes a few examples:
| String | Trimmed string |
|---|---|
| "ab" | "ab" |
| " ab" | "ab" |
| "ab " | "ab" |
| " ab " | "ab" |
| "a b" | "a b" |
| " a b " | "a b" |
| "a b" | "a b" |
Reserved characters and strings for element names
These characters are not allowed for element names:
- Characters with ASCII codes below 32.
- The [ and ] characters.
- Other documented limitations apply.
You cannot create elements with these names:
- B:*
- C:*
Existing dimensions that contain these element names are not loaded or used.