#066: Start Using Jinja in dbt Macros (3 Examples)
May 22, 2024If you're using dbt, at some point you'll need to create a Macro.
If you're not familiar with Macros, essentially they are like "functions" in other programming languages.
They're used to create re-usable bits of code and make your project much more dynamic.
It's truly one of the most valuable parts of using dbt.
But the deeper you get into macros, the more you'll also run into Jinja.
And while powerful, Jinja itself has a bit of a learning curve.
In short, Jinja is a templating language that allows you to compile more complex queries.
Think of it like templating a website with reusable components (header, body, footer).
But instead of website parts, we're able to template SQL queries.
Like many things, this can get really complicated.
But if you know how to use a few key functions of Jinja, you'll be able to cover a wide variety of scenarios.
So with that said, in this week's video I want to walk you through 3 examples of how to use helpful Jinja functions within a custom dbt macro.
Whether you're brand new to Jinja or need a quick refresher, this will be a great working-session style video for you to check out.
The main things we'll cover include:
- Using SET variables
- Running SQL queries in Macros
- Conditional IF statements
Enjoy!
Michael
When you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you further:
1. The Modern Engineer Playbook (Online Course): Master the art of building modern data architectures. Get an end-to-end blueprint for building simple, structured & scalable data pipelines with modern tools.Â
2. The Playbook for dbt™ (Online Course): Learn to build, automate & scale dbt™ with confidence. Discover common strategies teams follow, avoid costly rookie mistakes & get actionable tips based on real-world experience, not a textbook.
3. Consulting Services:Â Request to work 1:1 with Michael Kahan to help you and your team implement a modern data architecture with a simple, scalable structure.