---
title: "How to: Hide Cubes from Users in IBM Planning Analytics"
description: "Over time, most [IBM Planning Analytics](https://www.aramar.co.uk/ibm-planning-analytics/) models grow. New [cubes](https://www.aramar.co.uk/knowledge-share/ibm-planning-analytics/how-to-create-a-cube-in-ibm-planning-analytics/) are added, and older ones remain but are rarely used. In this guide, we show how to hide cubes from users without removing any data. ### Why hide cubes? In…"
url: "https://www.aramar.co.uk/knowledge-share/ibm-planning-analytics/how-to-hide-cubes-from-users-in-ibm-planning-analytics/"
updated: "2026-03-19"
category: IBM Planning Analytics
---

# How to: Hide Cubes from Users in IBM Planning Analytics

Over time, most [IBM Planning Analytics](https://www.aramar.co.uk/ibm-planning-analytics/) models grow. New [cubes](https://www.aramar.co.uk/knowledge-share/ibm-planning-analytics/how-to-create-a-cube-in-ibm-planning-analytics/) are added, and older ones remain but are rarely used.

In this guide, we show how to hide cubes from users without removing any data.

### Why hide cubes?

In many systems, unused cubes still need to be retained for historical or audit purposes.

However, showing these to users can increase confusion, make navigation more difficult and lead to users accessing the wrong data.  A better approach is to control visibility using security.

### Step 1: Identify unused cubes![](https://www.aramar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-19-at-13.49.53-434x350.png)

To find cubes that are no longer actively used:

1. Open **Drive Explorer**
2. Connect to your Planning Analytics server
3. Navigate to your database folder (e.g. `Root/prod/tm1serv/Data`)
4. Filter files using `.cub`
5. Sort by **Last Updated.                          **

This helps highlight cubes that haven’t been used recently

### Step 2: Update cube security

To hide cubes from users:

1. Open the **}CubeSecurity** cube
2. Select the relevant **user group**
3. Set access:

   - Required cubes → `READ` or `WRITE`
   - Unused cubes → leave blank (no access)

![](https://www.aramar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-19-at-13.44.37-1024x299.png)

Once applied, those cubes will no longer appear in the user’s cube list

### Step 3: Re-enable access if needed

If a user needs access again:

- Simply change the cube permission to `READ` or `WRITE`
- The cube will reappear automatically

### An Alternative approach

For a cleaner long-term model, you may want to:

- Take a copy of the database (e.g. audit version)
- Remove unused cubes from the live model

This would make it easier to maintain, save memory and keep historical data available for audits.

### Final thought

Hiding cubes is a quick way to simplify your model without losing data.

If your users are struggling to navigate Planning Analytics, this is often an easy win. For help reviewing your Planning Analytics setup, [contact us](http://www.aramar.co.uk/contact/), we’re always happy to help.