# Tags only alphanumeric?

**URL:** <https://forum.ripe.net/t/tags-only-alphanumeric/1018>\
**Category:** RIPE Atlas\
**Created:** [22 June 2024 09:32 UTC](https://forum.ripe.net/t/tags-only-alphanumeric/1018 "2024-06-22T09:32:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![tschaefer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9a28c/32.png) [@tschaefer](https://forum.ripe.net/u/tschaefer)\
**Post date:** [22 June 2024 09:32 UTC](https://forum.ripe.net/t/tags-only-alphanumeric/1018/1 "2024-06-22T09:32:19Z")

</div>

Hi,

Are “&” in tags allowed?

I have a optical problem with the tag/company “1&1” in Germany.  
In my probe it is correctly displayed:

> **[RIPE Atlas - RIPE Network Coordination Centre](https://atlas.ripe.net/probes/1007887/)**
>
> RIPE Atlas is the RIPE NCC's main Internet data measurement system.

But in overview:

> **[RIPE Atlas - RIPE Network Coordination Centre](https://atlas.ripe.net/probes/public?sort=-id&page=1&search=1007887&toggle=all&page_size=100)**
>
> RIPE Atlas is the RIPE NCC's main Internet data measurement system.

it is converted to “11”.

Regards,  
Thomas

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ssuess](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forum.ripe.net/ssuess/32/357_2.png) [@ssuess](https://forum.ripe.net/u/ssuess)\
**Post date:** [24 June 2024 07:16 UTC](https://forum.ripe.net/t/tags-only-alphanumeric/1018/2 "2024-06-24T07:16:26Z")

</div>

Good morning Thomas,

We were using the slug in the lists which is why you saw that value. I have now modified it to use the name (and the slug will show on hover). You can check this out on our beta site [here](https://beta-ui.atlas.ripe.net/probes/public?sort=-id&page=1&search=1007887&toggle=all&page_size=100), and it should be uploaded to production soon.

Kind regards,  
Stephen  
Atlas UI

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![tschaefer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9a28c/32.png) [@tschaefer](https://forum.ripe.net/u/tschaefer)\
**Post date:** [24 June 2024 12:57 UTC](https://forum.ripe.net/t/tags-only-alphanumeric/1018/3 "2024-06-24T12:57:04Z")

</div>

Hi,

in the beta you moved the problem to a new level. The tag is shown correctly, but the “tool tip” over it is still wrong (11). May be, it is easier to forbid such characters? I could use “1und1” instead.

Regards,  
Thomas

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![robertk](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forum.ripe.net/robertk/32/413_2.png) [@robertk](https://forum.ripe.net/u/robertk)\
**Post date:** [24 June 2024 13:18 UTC](https://forum.ripe.net/t/tags-only-alphanumeric/1018/4 "2024-06-24T13:18:35Z")

</div>

Hi, the intention is that the “free text” tag name is shown as it was entered (so there’s no need to forbid stuff), but sanitised for input/output use in the API, removing the questionable characters. This is used throughout the system, so it makes sense to give the hint to users about what it has been translated to.

I hope this explains what’s going on.

Regards,  
Robert