identifier

models/<filename>.yml

version: 2

sources:
  - name: <source_name>
    database: <database_name>
    tables:
      - name: <table_name>
        identifier: <table_identifier>

Definition

The table name as stored in the database.

This parameter is useful if you want to use a source table name that differs from the table name in the database.

Default

By default, dbt will use the table's name: parameter as the identifier.

Examples

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

models/<filename>.yml

version: 2

sources:
  - name: jaffle_shop
    tables:
      - name: orders
        identifier: api_orders

In a downstream model:

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

Will get compiled to:

select * from jaffle_shop.api_orders

Reference sharded tables as a source in BigQuery

models/<filename>.yml

version: 2

sources:
  - name: ga
    tables:
      - name: events
        identifier: "events_*"

In a downstream model:

select * from {{ source('ga', 'events') }}

-- filter on shards by suffix
where _table_suffix > '20200101'

Will get compiled to:

select * from `my_project`.`ga`.`events_*`

-- filter on shards by suffix
where _table_suffix > '20200101'