How one little dash can throw your automations, templates, and filenames into chaos

During our most recent First Friday Virtual Coffee, a seemingly simple question kicked off a surprisingly lively debate:

“How do you name your project files—year/month/day, year/day/month, or month/day/year?”

As members compared formats, the conversation turned to punctuation. One person said their firm was told not to use periods (.) in filenames. Another said they always use underscores (_). Someone else swore by hyphens (-).

And then someone asked, “Wait—does it matter which dash we use?” That question stopped us in our tracks.

Because as it turns out, yes—it matters a lot more than most of us realize.

Why It Matters

Your computer sees a world of difference between a hyphen (-), an en dash (–), and an em dash (—)—even if your eyes don’t. Smart punctuation settings in Word, Google Docs, or macOS can “helpfully” replace a plain hyphen with one of the longer versions.

Those subtle swaps look harmless in text—but when used in filenames, automations, or templates, they can quietly break things.

An en dash or em dash in a file or field name can cause integrations to fail, automations to stop working, or exports to misread the label entirely. So if your workflow ever breaks for no apparent reason… your punctuation might be the hidden culprit.

Quick Fixes That Actually Work

• Hyphen (-) → ✅ Safe for file names and automations. Use it for joining short words or labels.
• Underscore (_) → ✅ Also safe. Common in code or legacy systems.
• En dash (–) / Em dash (—) → ❌ Save these for writing, not for filenames or templates.
• Periods and spaces → ⚠️ Avoid when possible; they can break URLs, links, or scripts.

Bottom line: boring punctuation is reliable punctuation. The plain hyphen will almost always win.

A Member-to-Member Tip

This entire post came out of SDA members sharing real experiences during First Friday Coffee—the kind of everyday troubleshooting that makes our community so valuable.

So if you’ve ever spent hours rebuilding an automation that “mysteriously stopped working,” double-check your punctuation before you panic. Sometimes, one tiny line is the whole problem.

Want to Dig Deeper?

If this kind of detail makes your inner systems nerd light up, you’ll love SDA member, Elizabeth Harris’s full guide on Substack.

The Extremely Niche, Mildly Unhinged Guide to Dashes (for Substack, Notion, and Zapier People)

It’s an entertaining deep dive into the world of dashes, underscores, and invisible formatting gremlins—with screenshots, examples, and even a “dash decoder” visual to help you spot the difference.

Keep the Conversation Going

Join us for our next First Friday Virtual Coffee to share what’s working in your firm—or to pick up a few new tricks from fellow members. You never know which casual question will spark your next great “aha” moment.

When it comes to dedication, reliability, and community spirit, SDA Orange County’s Marsha Bastian shines brightly. This year, her years of service and leadership earned her the SDA STAR Award, a national honor presented annually by each chapter of the Society for Design Administration to recognize outstanding members whose contributions exemplify SDA’s values of excellence, collaboration, and professional growth.

For more than five years, Marsha has served as Recording Secretary for SDA Orange County, maintaining detailed and accurate meeting minutes that keep the chapter’s operations running smoothly. Her precise documentation ensures that chapter leaders can reference decisions and discussions with confidence—an often unsung but essential role that reflects her professionalism and attention to detail. “Her notes have been a big help when needing to track what has been discussed or decided at previous business meetings,” shared a chapter colleague.

Beyond her secretarial duties, Marsha has strengthened SDA/OC’s programming by connecting the chapter with expert speakers from her insurance firm, Risk Strategies, helping organize multiple lunch seminars and webinars on topics vital to AEC business operations. Her willingness to share resources and expertise has enriched chapter education and engagement, providing valuable insight for members and their firms.

Marsha joined SDA in 2015, quickly becoming an active participant in nearly every chapter function—from board meetings and professional seminars to networking and social events. Her steady presence and enthusiasm have made her a cornerstone of the SDA/OC community. As one member noted, “She’s just not an attendee, she’s a participant,” a sentiment that captures the energy and initiative she brings to everything she does.

The STAR Award honors SDA members whose exceptional service advances both their chapter and the broader profession. Marsha’s recognition underscores the impact of her commitment to fostering professional excellence and connection within the AEC community. Her contributions demonstrate how consistent involvement, leadership, and generosity of knowledge strengthen the foundation of SDA as a whole.

SDA National congratulates Marsha Bastian on this well-deserved recognition. Her example reminds us that leadership takes many forms—and that attention to detail, collaboration, and community-minded service are at the heart of what makes the SDA thrive.

Driving Growth, Inspiring Change: Deborah Gill Honored with SDA STAR Award

In every thriving organization, there are individuals whose quiet dedication powers lasting transformation. For the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Society for Design Administration (SDA), that person is Deborah Gill. With more than three decades of SDA membership and a career spanning 40 years in the AEC industry, Deborah’s contributions have not only strengthened her chapter, they’ve shaped the profession itself. In recognition of her exceptional service, leadership, and impact, Deborah has been honored with the 2025 STAR Award, SDA’s highest tribute to volunteer excellence.

A Career Dedicated to AEC Business Excellence

Deborah Gill is more than a seasoned CPA, she’s a changemaker whose expertise has guided firms across the architecture, engineering, construction, and land surveying industries. As the founder of Profit by Design, LLC, Deborah has supported over 100 clients in optimizing their Deltek Vision systems and improving operational efficiency. Her reputation as a trusted management consultant, author, and lecturer is built on decades of experience helping firms grow stronger, smarter, and more sustainable.

With a B.A. from the University of Mary Washington and a CPA license in Virginia, Deborah has built an impressive legacy of service, both to the industry and the professional organizations that support it. She has delivered insightful presentations for AIA, ACEC, IFMA, NSPE, NSPS, and of course, SDA, where her influence has been especially profound.

SDA Impact: A Lifelong Legacy of Leadership

Deborah joined SDA 34 years ago, and since then has become a cornerstone of the community. Her leadership helped develop SDA’s signature practice management course, BizTrak, a vital educational resource that continues to empower business operations professionals across the country.

Locally, she is described as “the heartbeat” of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter, offering strategic direction, behind-the-scenes support, and an unwavering commitment to growth. Deborah is never one to shy away from advocating for change, and her vision has driven the success of countless chapter initiatives.

But beyond her titles and achievements, Deborah is most often celebrated for her generosity of spirit. Her ability to encourage, engage, and uplift others has made a lasting impression on everyone she works with.

Sharing Knowledge, Strengthening Firms

Even beyond her consulting work, Deborah remains committed to advancing business acumen within the AEC industry. Today, she continues to support nonprofit organizations with accounting guidance, while also mentoring small A/E firms to implement better business practices. Her dedication to knowledge-sharing through speaking engagements and course development has helped create a stronger, more connected professional community.

Celebrating a True STAR

“Deborah embodies everything it means to be a STAR,” said members of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter. “Her leadership, support, and tireless efforts have made a meaningful and lasting impact—not just here at home, but across the national SDA community.”

SDA proudly celebrates Deborah Gill for her extraordinary contributions and enduring legacy of service. Her work is a powerful reminder that one member’s commitment can spark growth, empower others, and elevate an entire industry.