# Defining a schema source property

models/\<filename>.yml

```yml

sources:
  - name: <source_name>
    database: <database_name>
    schema: <schema_name>
    tables:
      - name: <table_name>
      - ...
```

## Definition

The schema name as stored in the database.

This parameter is useful if you want to use a [source](../source-properties.md) name that differs from the schema name.

BigQuery terminology

If you're using BigQuery, use the *dataset* name as the `schema` property.

## Default

By default, dbt will use the source's `name` parameter as the schema name.

## Examples

### Use a simpler name for a source schema than the one in your database

models/\<filename>.yml

```yml

sources:
  - name: jaffle_shop
    schema: postgres_backend_public_schema
    tables:
      - name: orders
```

In a downstream model:

```sql
select * from {{ source('jaffle_shop', 'orders') }}
```

Will get compiled to:

```sql
select * from postgres_backend_public_schema.orders
```

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