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target_database

note

Starting in dbt Core v1.9+, this functionality is no longer utilized. Use the database config as an alternative to define a custom database while still respecting the generate_database_name macro.

Try it now in the dbt Cloud "Latest" release track.

dbt_project.yml
snapshots:
  <resource-path>:
    +target_database: string

snapshots/<filename>.sql
{{ config(
  target_database="string"
) }}

Description​

The database that dbt should build a snapshot table into.

Notes:

  • The specified database must already exist
  • On BigQuery, this is analogous to a project.
  • On Redshift, cross-database queries are not possible. If you use this parameter, you will receive the following error. As such, do not use this parameter on Redshift:
Encountered an error:
Runtime Error
  Cross-db references not allowed in redshift (raw vs analytics)

Default​

By default, dbt will use the target database associated with your profile/connection.

Examples​

Build all snapshots in a database named snapshots​

dbt_project.yml
snapshots:
  +target_database: snapshots

Use a target-aware database​

Use the {{ target }} variable to change which database a snapshot table is built in.

Note: consider whether this use-case is right for you, as downstream refs will select from the dev version of a snapshot, which can make it hard to validate models that depend on snapshots.

dbt_project.yml
snapshots:
  +target_database: "{% if target.name == 'dev' %}dev{% else %}{{ target.database }}{% endif %}"

Use the same database-naming behavior as models​

Leverage the generate_database_name macro to build snapshots in databases that follow the same naming behavior as your models.

Notes:

  • This macro is not available when configuring from the dbt_project.yml file, so it must be configured in a snapshot config block.
  • Consider whether this use-case is right for you, as downstream refs will select from the dev version of a snapshot, which can make it hard to validate models that depend on snapshots.
snapshots/orders_snaphot.sql
{{
    config(
      target_database=generate_database_name('snapshots')
    )
}}
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