# Model access

Some models are implementation details, meant for reference only within their group of related models. Other models should be accessible through the `ref` function across groups and projects. Models can set an [access modifier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Access_modifiers) to indicate their intended level of accessibility

### Configuring model access <a href="#declaring-a-group" id="declaring-a-group"></a>

You can apply access modifiers in config files, including the `dbt_project.yml`, or to models one-by-one in `properties.yml`. Applying access configs to a subfolder modifies the default for all models in that subfolder, so make sure you intend for this behavior. When setting individual model access, a group or subfolder might contain a variety of access levels, so when you designate a model with `access: public` make sure you intend for this behavior.

Use the `access` configuration to define the access level for a model. There are multiple approaches to configuring access.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="properties.yml" %}
{% code title="models/properties\_my\_public\_model.yml" %}

```yaml
version: 2

# using the new method supported in v1.7
models:
  - name: my_public_model
    config:
      access: public 

# Older method, still supported

  - name: my_public_model_two
    access: public 
    
```

{% endcode %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="dbt\_project.yml" %}
{% code title="dbt\_project.yml" %}

```yaml
models:
  my_project_name:
    subfolder_name:
      +group: my_group
      +access: private  # sets default for all models in this subfolder
```

{% endcode %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="In-file" %}
{% code title="models/my\_public\_model.sql" %}

```sql
-- models/my_public_model.sql

{{ config(access = "public") }}

select ...
```

{% endcode %}
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

### Access level definition

The access level of the model you are declaring properties for.

| Access    | Referenceable by                                                                         |
| --------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| private   | Same group                                                                               |
| protected | Same project (or installed as a package)                                                 |
| public    | Any group, package, or project. When defined, rerun a production job to apply the change |

{% hint style="info" %}
By default, all models are `protected`. This means that other models in the same project can reference them, regardless of their group.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
Models with `materialized` set to `ephemeral` cannot have the access property set to public.
{% endhint %}