A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer usable program code are provided for accessing unique hierarchical data. A tree structure for a document is analyzed. A determination is made as to whether a set of unique paths exist in the tree structure. Responsive to an existence of the set of unique paths, a unique path identifier is assigned to each of the set of unique paths to create a set of unique path identifiers and assigned unique path pairs. Then, the unique path identifier and a node address for the unique hierarchical data for each of the set of unique path identifiers and assigned unique path pairs is stored into a header in the document disk page.