Why do node path names in my design consist of instance names only?

In the Quartus® II software, if you set the compilation process setting Display entity name for node name to Off, hierarchical node names are displayed with only the instance names, such as <inst name 1>|<inst name 2>|...|<inst name n>|reg. If you change this setting to On, hierarchical node names are displayed with both entity and instance names, such as <entity name 1>:<inst name 1>|<entity name 2>:<inst name 2>|...|<entity name n>:<inst name n>|reg.

Some scripts may contain assignments using both entity and instance names for hierarchical node names. Assignments in these scripts may be ignored by the Quartus II software if your design uses only instance names. If you have scripts or assignments that rely on entity names for hierarchical node names, follow these steps:

1. On the Assignments menu, click Settings
2. Select Compilation Process Settings
3. Click More Settings
4. Select the option Display entity name for node name
5. Change the setting to On