---
title: SQL Templating
sidebar_position: 4
description: Use Jinja templates in SQL Lab and virtual datasets to create dynamic queries
keywords: [sql templating, jinja, sql lab, virtual datasets, dynamic queries]
---

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# SQL Templating

Superset supports [Jinja templating](https://jinja.palletsprojects.com/) in SQL Lab queries and virtual datasets. This allows you to write dynamic SQL that responds to filters, user context, and URL parameters.

:::note
SQL templating must be enabled by your administrator via the `ENABLE_TEMPLATE_PROCESSING` feature flag.
For advanced configuration options, see the [SQL Templating Configuration Guide](/admin-docs/configuration/sql-templating).
:::

## Using Jinja in Calculated Columns

Jinja template macros are available in calculated column expressions in the dataset editor — not just in SQL Lab queries and virtual datasets. This allows column expressions to reference the current user or dynamic context.

**Example: User-scoped calculated column**

```sql
CASE WHEN sales_rep = '{{ current_username() }}' THEN amount ELSE 0 END
```

**Example: Conditional display based on role**

Because `current_user_roles()` returns a Python list, test role membership with a Jinja
conditional at template time rather than matching against the list's string representation:

```sql
{% if 'Finance' in current_user_roles() %}revenue{% else %}NULL{% endif %} AS finance_revenue
```

:::note
The `ENABLE_TEMPLATE_PROCESSING` feature flag must be enabled by your administrator for Jinja in calculated columns to work.
:::

## Basic Usage

Jinja templates use double curly braces `{{ }}` for expressions and `{% %}` for logic blocks.

### Using Parameters

You can define parameters in SQL Lab via the **Parameters** menu as JSON:

```json
{
  "my_table": "sales",
  "start_date": "2024-01-01"
}
```

Then reference them in your query:

```sql
SELECT *
FROM {{ my_table }}
WHERE order_date >= '{{ start_date }}'
```

### Conditional Logic

Use Jinja's logic blocks for conditional SQL:

```sql
SELECT *
FROM orders
WHERE 1 = 1
{% if start_date %}
  AND order_date >= '{{ start_date }}'
{% endif %}
{% if end_date %}
  AND order_date < '{{ end_date }}'
{% endif %}
```

## Available Macros

Superset provides built-in macros for common use cases.

### User Context

| Macro                        | Description                             |
| ---------------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| `{{ current_username() }}`   | Returns the logged-in user's username   |
| `{{ current_user_id() }}`    | Returns the logged-in user's account ID |
| `{{ current_user_email() }}` | Returns the logged-in user's email      |
| `{{ current_user_roles() }}` | Returns an array of the user's roles    |

**Example: Row-level filtering by user**

```sql
SELECT *
FROM sales_data
WHERE sales_rep = '{{ current_username() }}'
```

**Example: Role-based access**

```sql
SELECT *
FROM users
WHERE role IN {{ current_user_roles()|where_in }}
```

### Filter Values

Access dashboard and chart filter values in your queries:

| Macro                           | Description                     |
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- |
| `{{ filter_values('column') }}` | Returns filter values as a list |
| `{{ get_filters('column') }}`   | Returns filters with operators  |

**Example: Using filter values**

```sql
SELECT product, SUM(revenue) as total
FROM sales
WHERE region IN {{ filter_values('region')|where_in }}
GROUP BY product
```

The `where_in` filter converts the list to SQL format: `('value1', 'value2', 'value3')`

### Time Filters

For charts with time range filters:

| Macro                             | Description                                        |
| --------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| `{{ get_time_filter('column') }}` | Returns time filter with `from_expr` and `to_expr` |

**Example: Time-filtered virtual dataset**

```sql
{% set time_filter = get_time_filter("order_date", default="Last 7 days") %}
SELECT *
FROM orders
WHERE order_date >= {{ time_filter.from_expr }}
  AND order_date < {{ time_filter.to_expr }}
```

### URL Parameters

Pass custom values via URL query strings:

```sql
SELECT *
FROM orders
WHERE country = '{{ url_param('country') }}'
```

Access via: `superset.example.com/sqllab?country=US`

### Reusing Dataset Definitions

Query existing datasets by ID:

```sql
-- Query a dataset (ID 42) as a table
SELECT * FROM {{ dataset(42) }} LIMIT 100

-- Include computed metrics
SELECT * FROM {{ dataset(42, include_metrics=True) }}
```

Reuse metric definitions across queries:

```sql
SELECT
  category,
  {{ metric('total_revenue') }} as revenue
FROM sales
GROUP BY category
```

## Testing Templates in SQL Lab

Some variables like `from_dttm` and `filter_values()` only work when filters are applied from dashboards or charts. To test in SQL Lab:

**Option 1: Use defaults**

```sql
SELECT *
FROM orders
WHERE date >= '{{ from_dttm | default("2024-01-01", true) }}'
```

**Option 2: Set test parameters**

Add to the Parameters menu:

```json
{
  "_filters": [{ "col": "region", "op": "IN", "val": ["US", "EU"] }]
}
```

**Option 3: Use `{% set %}`**

```sql
{% set start_date = "2024-01-01" %}
SELECT * FROM orders WHERE date >= '{{ start_date }}'
```

## Common Patterns

### Dynamic Table Selection

```sql
{% set table_name = url_param('table') or 'default_table' %}
SELECT * FROM {{ table_name }}
```

### User-Specific Data Access

```sql
SELECT *
FROM sensitive_data
WHERE department IN (
  SELECT department
  FROM user_permissions
  WHERE username = '{{ current_username() }}'
)
```

### Time-Based Partitioning

```sql
{% set time_filter = get_time_filter("event_date", remove_filter=True) %}
SELECT *
FROM events
WHERE event_date >= {{ time_filter.from_expr }}
  AND event_date < {{ time_filter.to_expr }}
```

Using `remove_filter=True` applies the filter in the inner query for better performance.

## Tips

- Use `|where_in` filter to convert lists to SQL `IN` clauses
- Use `|tojson` to serialize arrays as JSON strings
- Test queries with explicit parameter values before relying on filter context
- For complex templating needs, ask your administrator about custom Jinja macros
- **Format SQL is Jinja-aware**: The "Format SQL" button in SQL Lab correctly preserves `{{ }}` and `{% %}` template syntax and applies your selected database's SQL dialect when formatting.

:::resources

- [Admin Guide: SQL Templating Configuration](/admin-docs/configuration/sql-templating)
- [Blog: Intro to Jinja Templating in Apache Superset](https://preset.io/blog/intro-jinja-templating-apache-superset/)
  :::
