diff --git a/bec_widgets/widgets/containers/advanced_dock_area/advanced_dock_area.py b/bec_widgets/widgets/containers/advanced_dock_area/advanced_dock_area.py
index 7c0ef7c5..cb5279b4 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/containers/advanced_dock_area/advanced_dock_area.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/containers/advanced_dock_area/advanced_dock_area.py
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import os
-from typing import Callable, Literal, Mapping, Sequence
+from typing import Literal, Mapping, Sequence
+
+import slugify
 
 from bec_lib import bec_logger
 from qtpy.QtCore import QTimer, Signal
@@ -21,7 +23,6 @@ from bec_widgets import BECWidget, SafeProperty, SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_widget_handler import widget_handler
 from bec_widgets.utils import BECDispatcher
 from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
-from bec_widgets.utils.name_utils import sanitize_namespace
 from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.actions import (
     ExpandableMenuAction,
     MaterialIconAction,
@@ -81,6 +82,7 @@ from bec_widgets.widgets.services.bec_queue.bec_queue import BECQueue
 from bec_widgets.widgets.services.bec_status_box.bec_status_box import BECStatusBox
 from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.logpanel import LogPanel
 from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.visual.dark_mode_button.dark_mode_button import DarkModeButton
+from tests.unit_tests.test_modular_toolbar import separator_action
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
@@ -130,7 +132,7 @@ class AdvancedDockArea(DockAreaWidget):
         self._profile_namespace_hint = profile_namespace
         self._profile_namespace_auto = auto_profile_namespace
         self._profile_namespace_resolved: str | None | object = _PROFILE_NAMESPACE_UNSET
-        self._instance_id = sanitize_namespace(instance_id) if instance_id else None
+        self._instance_id = slugify.slugify(instance_id, separator="_") if instance_id else None
         self._auto_save_upon_exit = auto_save_upon_exit
         self._profile_management_enabled = enable_profile_management
         self._restore_initial_profile = restore_initial_profile
@@ -558,7 +560,7 @@ class AdvancedDockArea(DockAreaWidget):
             if not candidate:
                 candidate = self.__class__.__name__
 
-        resolved = sanitize_namespace(candidate) if candidate else None
+        resolved = slugify.slugify(candidate, separator="_") if candidate else None
         if not resolved:
             resolved = "general"
         self._profile_namespace_resolved = resolved  # type: ignore[assignment]
diff --git a/bec_widgets/widgets/containers/advanced_dock_area/profile_utils.py b/bec_widgets/widgets/containers/advanced_dock_area/profile_utils.py
index ded47f32..267a7bdc 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/containers/advanced_dock_area/profile_utils.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/containers/advanced_dock_area/profile_utils.py
@@ -10,12 +10,12 @@ Policy:
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import os
-import re
 import shutil
 from functools import lru_cache
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Literal
 
+import slugify
 from bec_lib import bec_logger
 from bec_lib.client import BECClient
 from bec_lib.plugin_helper import plugin_package_name, plugin_repo_path
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ def _profiles_dir(segment: str, namespace: str | None) -> str:
         str: Absolute directory path for the requested segment/namespace pair.
     """
     base = os.path.join(_settings_profiles_root(), segment)
-    ns = sanitize_namespace(namespace)
+    ns = slugify.slugify(namespace, separator="_") if namespace else None
     path = os.path.join(base, ns) if ns else base
     os.makedirs(path, exist_ok=True)
     return path
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ def _user_path_candidates(name: str, namespace: str | None) -> list[str]:
     Returns:
         list[str]: Ordered list of candidate user profile paths (.ini files).
     """
-    ns = sanitize_namespace(namespace)
+    ns = slugify.slugify(namespace, separator="_") if namespace else None
     primary = os.path.join(_profiles_dir("user", ns), f"{name}.ini")
     if not ns:
         return [primary]
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ def _default_path_candidates(name: str, namespace: str | None) -> list[str]:
     Returns:
         list[str]: Ordered list of candidate default profile paths (.ini files).
     """
-    ns = sanitize_namespace(namespace)
+    ns = slugify.slugify(namespace, separator="_") if namespace else None
     primary = os.path.join(_profiles_dir("default", ns), f"{name}.ini")
     if not ns:
         return [primary]
@@ -452,7 +452,7 @@ def list_profiles(namespace: str | None = None) -> list[str]:
     Returns:
         list[str]: Sorted unique profile names.
     """
-    ns = sanitize_namespace(namespace)
+    ns = slugify.slugify(namespace, separator="_") if namespace else None
 
     def _collect_from(directory: str) -> set[str]:
         if not os.path.isdir(directory):
@@ -553,11 +553,11 @@ def _last_profile_key(namespace: str | None, instance: str | None = None) -> str
     Returns:
         str: Scoped key string.
     """
-    ns = sanitize_namespace(namespace)
+    ns = slugify.slugify(namespace, separator="_") if namespace else None
     key = SETTINGS_KEYS["last_profile"]
     if ns:
         key = f"{key}/{ns}"
-    inst = sanitize_namespace(instance) if instance else ""
+    inst = slugify.slugify(instance, separator="_") if instance else ""
     if inst:
         key = f"{key}@{inst}"
     return key