# Tag naming using hyphens **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [October 23, 2026, 2:11pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/tag-naming-using-hyphens/117589 "2026-10-23T14:11:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jlandwerlen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bc8723/32.png) [@jlandwerlen](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/jlandwerlen)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 2:11pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/tag-naming-using-hyphens/117589/1 "2026-10-23T14:11:15Z")
Our client is demanding that we use hyphens and not underscores in tag names. We have pitched our case, one being that the PLC (CLX/CpLx) doesn't allow them and in our minds PLC/SCADA names should match, but they rejected that argument. I understand that Ignition allows hyphens in most places, but I just think it's bad practice and was hoping for some ammunication to streghten our stance. If we are forced to use hyphens, my pitch will be to use in instance names only, not rework all UDTs. Throughts? ---
**Author:** ![pturmel](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/pturmel/32/3295_2.png) [@pturmel](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/pturmel)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 3:00pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/tag-naming-using-hyphens/117589/2 "2026-10-23T15:00:43Z")
Can you fire them? (Only halfway joking...) ---
**Author:** ![jlandwerlen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bc8723/32.png) [@jlandwerlen](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/jlandwerlen)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 3:31pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/tag-naming-using-hyphens/117589/3 "2026-10-23T15:31:13Z")
No, I can't call them names either. I figured you would feel strongly about using hyphens. ---
**Author:** ![pturmel](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/pturmel/32/3295_2.png) [@pturmel](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/pturmel)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 4:05pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/tag-naming-using-hyphens/117589/4 "2026-10-23T16:05:09Z")
My primary objection to hyphens is that the hyphen is an arithmetic operator. Which means you can't use jython names in scripts that match your tag name. (Also true of most other punctuation.) The underscore is the one punctuation character that is explicitly permitted in variable names in every programming language. ---
**Author:** ![lrose](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/lrose/32/62724_2.png) [@lrose](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/lrose)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 5:03pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/tag-naming-using-hyphens/117589/5 "2026-10-23T17:03:55Z")
Out of curiosity, what is their argument _for_ hyphens? I have the same misgivings that Phil has. I understand underscores, but I tend to avoid those too. I want a tag name that I can use as a variable name that is somewhat self documenting. I, like you, want to be able to look at the tag name and know what to look for in the PLC. Is it more than just tag names? If they want component/container names to follow this practice too, might run into some headaches. ---
**Author:** ![jlandwerlen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bc8723/32.png) [@jlandwerlen](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/jlandwerlen)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 5:09pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/tag-naming-using-hyphens/117589/6 "2026-10-23T17:09:39Z")
They said they want hyphens and to deal with it. In my opinion it's just the wrong people in charge. ---
**Author:** ![lrose](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/lrose/32/62724_2.png) [@lrose](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/lrose)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 5:10pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/tag-naming-using-hyphens/117589/7 "2026-10-23T17:10:39Z")
Sounds like a bit of a power trip to me. ---
**Author:** ![jlandwerlen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bc8723/32.png) [@jlandwerlen](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/jlandwerlen)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 5:15pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/tag-naming-using-hyphens/117589/8 "2026-10-23T17:15:09Z")
Maybe, still trying to feel the waters. It might just be they are following standards and don't know why. The reason for this post is to try and gather more info to discuss things intelligently and be more than two groups talking over each other. ---
**Author:** ![bschroeder](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/bschroeder/32/13260_2.png) [@bschroeder](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/bschroeder)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 5:19pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/tag-naming-using-hyphens/117589/9 "2026-10-23T17:19:36Z")
> [@pturmel](#): > > My primary objection to hyphens is that the hyphen is an arithmetic operator. Which means you can't use jython names in scripts that match your tag name. This is one of the largest reasons. Makes documentation a nightmare for people coming behind. ---
**Author:** ![Edwin\_Beck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a4c791/32.png) [@Edwin\_Beck](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Edwin_Beck)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2026, 2:03pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/tag-naming-using-hyphens/117589/10 "2026-10-26T14:03:01Z")
Give them a project change notice (or similar) and quote a price they will want to avoid. If you are still in the initial RFQ show them the charge for that and make it substantial for all the issues you will encounter using an arithmatic operator where it doesn't belong. ---
**Author:** ![JordanCClark](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/jordancclark/32/83362_2.png) [@JordanCClark](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/JordanCClark)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2026, 4:57pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/tag-naming-using-hyphens/117589/11 "2026-10-26T16:57:12Z")
They may also be confusing backend work and frontend presentation.