dbt Semantic Layer

The dbt Semantic Layer, powered by MetricFlow, simplifies the process of defining and using critical business metrics, like revenue in the modeling layer (your dbt project). By centralizing metric definitions, data teams can ensure consistent self-service access to these metrics in downstream data tools and applications. The dbt Semantic Layer eliminates duplicate coding by allowing data teams to define metrics on top of existing models and automatically handles data joins.

Moving metric definitions out of the BI layer and into the modeling layer allows data teams to feel confident that different business units are working from the same metric definitions, regardless of their tool of choice. If a metric definition changes in dbt, it’s refreshed everywhere it’s invoked and creates consistency across all applications. To ensure secure access control, the dbt Semantic Layer implements robust access permissions mechanisms.

Refer to the dbt Semantic Layer FAQs or Why we need a universal semantic layer blog post to learn more.

Explore the dbt Semantic Layer

To define and query metrics with the dbt Semantic Layer, you must be on a dbt Cloud Team or Enterprise account. Suitable for both Multi-tenant and Single-tenant accounts. Note: Single-tenant accounts should contact their account representative for necessary setup and enablement.

Quickstart with the dbt Cloud Semantic Layer

Build and define metrics, set up the dbt Semantic Layer, and query them using our first-class integrations.

Set up the dbt Semantic Layer

Set up the dbt Semantic Layer in dbt Cloud using intuitive navigation.

Architecture

Learn about the powerful components that make up the dbt Semantic Layer.

Write queries with exports

Use exports to write commonly used queries directly within your data platform, on a schedule.

Cache common queries

Leverage result caching and declarative caching for common queries to speed up performance and reduce query computation.

dbt Semantic Layer FAQs

Discover answers to frequently asked questions about the dbt Semantic Layer, such as availability, integrations, and more.

Available integrations

Review a wide range of partners you can integrate and query with the dbt Semantic Layer.

dbt Semantic Layer APIs

Use the dbt Semantic Layer APIs to query metrics in downstream tools for consistent, reliable data metrics.