DbtHow-ToBeginner · 3 min read

How to Run Tests in dbt: Simple Guide

To run tests in dbt, use the command dbt test in your project directory. This command executes all tests defined in your models and schema files, helping you catch data issues early.

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Syntax

The basic command to run tests in dbt is dbt test. You can run all tests or specify particular models or tags.

dbt test: Runs all tests in the project.
dbt test --models model_name: Runs tests only for the specified model.
dbt test --select tag:tag_name: Runs tests for models with a specific tag.

bash

dbt test

dbt test --models my_model

dbt test --select tag:important

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Example

This example shows how to run all tests in a dbt project and the expected output. It demonstrates running dbt test in the terminal.

bash

dbt test

Output

Running with dbt=1.4.6 Found 3 models, 5 tests, 0 snapshots, 0 analyses, 123 macros, 0 operations, 0 seed files, 0 sources 15:00:00 | Concurrency: 1 threads (target='dev') 15:00:00 | 15:00:01 | 1 of 5 START test not_null_my_model_id....................... [RUN] 15:00:02 | 1 of 5 PASS not_null_my_model_id............................ [PASS in 1.0s] 15:00:02 | 2 of 5 START test unique_my_model_email.................... [RUN] 15:00:03 | 2 of 5 PASS unique_my_model_email......................... [PASS in 1.0s] 15:00:03 | 3 of 5 START test relationships_my_model_to_users.......... [RUN] 15:00:04 | 3 of 5 PASS relationships_my_model_to_users............... [PASS in 1.0s] 15:00:04 | 4 of 5 START test accepted_values_my_model_status........... [RUN] 15:00:05 | 4 of 5 PASS accepted_values_my_model_status.............. [PASS in 1.0s] 15:00:05 | 5 of 5 START test unique_my_model_order_id................ [RUN] 15:00:06 | 5 of 5 PASS unique_my_model_order_id..................... [PASS in 1.0s] 15:00:06 | 15:00:06 | Finished running 5 tests in 6.0s. 15:00:06 | 15:00:06 | Completed successfully

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Common Pitfalls

Common mistakes when running tests in dbt include:

Not defining tests in schema.yml files, so dbt test has nothing to run.
Running tests outside the dbt project directory, causing errors.
Forgetting to run dbt run before tests, so models are not built yet.
Using incorrect model names or tags with the --models or --select flags.

bash

Wrong:
dbt test --models wrong_model_name

Right:
dbt test --models correct_model_name

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Quick Reference

Command	Description
dbt test	Run all tests in the project
dbt test --models model_name	Run tests for a specific model
dbt test --select tag:tag_name	Run tests for models with a specific tag
dbt run	Build models before testing
dbt test --exclude model_name	Run tests excluding a model

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Key Takeaways

Run all tests in dbt with the simple command dbt test.

Define tests in schema.yml files to enable testing.

Use --models or --select flags to target specific tests.

Always run dbt run before testing to build models.

Run tests inside your dbt project directory to avoid errors.