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Custom topic error "Topic is invalid. Topic name can only contain the characters [a-z, A-Z, 0-9, '_']"

Troubleshooting


Problem

This document addresses the issue when uploading a custom topic to run a diagnostic logging trace in Cognos Analytics, the error,
Topic is invalid. Topic name can only contain the characters [a-z, A-Z, 0-9, '_']
is thrown.

Symptom

Steps to recreate:
  1. Go to Manage->Configuration->Diagnostic Logging->Custom Topics
  2. Click "Upload Topic"
  3. Select the custom topic you wish to upload as a .json file e.g OIDCAAA-CAM.json
  4. The error "Topic is invalid. Topic name can only contain the characters [a-z, A-Z, 0-9, '_']"  will appear
  5. The error persists even after renaming the file to OIDCAAACAM.json

Document Location

Worldwide

[{"Business Unit":{"code":"BU048","label":"IBM Software"},"Product":{"code":"SSTSF6","label":"IBM Cognos Analytics"},"Component":"","Platform":[{"code":"PF025","label":"Platform Independent"}],"Version":"11.0.x, 11.1.x","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB76","label":"Data Platform"}},{"Product":{"code":"SS6G84","label":"IBM Cognos Analytics on Cloud"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU048","label":"IBM Software"},"Component":" ","Platform":[{"code":"","label":""}],"Version":"","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB76","label":"Data Platform"}},{"Product":{"code":"SSLKT6","label":"IBM Maximo Asset Management"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU048","label":"IBM Software"},"Component":" ","Platform":[{"code":"","label":""}],"Version":"","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB77","label":"Automation Platform"}}]

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Document Information

Modified date:
13 January 2026

UID

ibm10884130