| Data Sources | A-Z a-z _, , Numbers | Must be usable from DATA() functions. Avoid putting version information in the name and use the description instead. | SALES_DATA_PRODUCTION, “GEM Data” | |
| Dimension & Levels | A-Z a-z _ | Since level names are automatically matched, the levels should adhere to the same rules as Excel Column names. | Location, Product_D, PRODUCT_D, PRODUCT, PRODUCT_CODE | Product-Code, 123Dim |
| Excel Worksheets | Recommended: A-Z, a-z, _ Append _DIM for Dimension Sheets | Not enforced. Spaces, numbers and other characters are accepted, and a name with spaces works in DATA() as long as it is quoted exactly. Sticking to letters and underscores keeps formulas short and avoids surprises when a name is reused elsewhere. | Sales, FTEs, Price and Volume | 2018-03 |
| Excel Column Names | Recommended: A-Z, a-z, _ | Not enforced, the same as worksheet names. Column names are quoted in DATA() too. | Volume, Number_of_Units_Sold | |
| Excel Filename | The filename has no implications for Valsight, as the Data Source name is used to access the file. | | | |