# Selector Methods

Selector methods in dbt allow you to filter resources based on specific properties using the `method:value` syntax. This gives you the power to target exactly what you need during your data transformations.

<figure><img src="/files/fkgk4REwCmIARJ8lexa6" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Wildcard Magic

Most selector methods support Unix-style wildcards, which can help you target a broader set of resources:

* `*`: Matches any number of characters (including none)
* `?`: Matches any single character
* `[abc]`: Matches one character listed in the bracket
* `[a-z]`: Matches one character from the specified range in the bracket

For example:

```bash
dbt list --select "*.folder_name.*"
dbt list --select "model_[a-z].sql"
```

### The Selectors

#### Tag Selector

Use `tag:` to select models with a specific tag.

```bash
dbt run --select "tag:hourly"
```

#### Source Selector

Use `source:` to select models that reference a specified source.

```bash
dbt run --select "source:fivetran+"
```

#### Resource Type Selector

Use `resource_type:` to select nodes of a specific type (e.g., model, test, exposure).

```bash
dbt run --select "resource_type:exposure"
dbt list --select "resource_type:test"
```

#### Path Selector

Use `path:` to select models/sources defined at or under a specific path.

```bash
dbt run --select "path:models/marts"
dbt run --select "path:models/marts/customers.sql"
```

#### File Selector

Use `file:` to select a model by filename.

```bash
dbt run --select "file:model_name.sql"
```

#### FQN (Fully Qualified Name) Selector

Use `fqn:` to select nodes based on their fully qualified name.

```bash
dbt run --select "fqn:example_model"
dbt run --select "fqn:project_name.example_path.example_model"
```

#### Package Selector

Use `package:` to select models defined within the root project or an installed dbt package.

```bash
dbt run --select "package:fivetran"
```

#### Config Selector

Use `config:` to select models that match a specified node config.

```bash
dbt run --select "config.materialized:table"
dbt run --select "config.cluster_by:zip_code"
```

#### Test Type Selector

Use `test_type:` to select tests based on type (generic, singular, unit, data).

```bash
dbt test --select "test_type:generic"
dbt test --select "test_type:singular"
```

#### Test Name Selector

Use `test_name:` to select tests based on the name of the test defined.

```bash
dbt test --select "test_name:not_null"
```

#### State Selector

Use `state:` to select nodes by comparing them against a previous version of the project.

```bash
dbt test --select "state:new" --state path/to/artifacts
dbt run --select "state:modified" --state path/to/artifacts
```

#### Exposure Selector

Use `exposure:` to select the parent resources of an exposure.

```bash
dbt test --select "exposure:monthly_reports"
dbt run --select "+exposure:*"
```

#### Metric Selector

Use `metric:` to select parent resources of a metric.

```bash
dbt run --select "+metric:monthly_qualified_leads"
```

#### Results Selector

Use `result:` to select resources based on their results status from a previous execution.

```bash
dbt run --select "result:success" --state path/to/project/artifacts
dbt test --select "result:warn" --state /path/to/project/artifacts
```

#### Source Status Selector

Use `source_status:` to select based on the freshness of sources.

```bash
dbt source freshness
dbt build --select "source_status:fresher+" --state path/to/prod/artifacts
```

#### Group Selector

Use `group:` to select models defined within a specified group.

```bash
dbt run --select "group:marketing"
```

#### Access Selector

Use `access:` to select models based on their access property.

```bash
dbt list --select "access:public"
```

#### Version Selector

Use `version:` to select versioned models.

```bash
dbt list --select "version:old"
dbt list --select "version:latest"
```

#### Semantic Model Selector

Use `semantic_model:` to select semantic models.

```bash
dbt ls --select "semantic_model:sales"
```

#### Saved Query Selector

Use `saved_query:` to select saved queries.

```bash
dbt list --select "saved_query:*"
```

#### Unit Test Selector

Use `unit_test:` to select dbt unit tests.

```bash
dbt list --select "unit_test:*"
```

### Pro Tips

* Combine selectors for laser-focused selection:

```bash
dbt run --select "tag:nightly,config.materialized:table"
```

* Use graph operators like `+` and `@` for complex selections:

```bash
dbt run --select "source:raw_data+,@tag:critical"
```

* Exclude models using the `--exclude` flag:

```bash
dbt run --select "path:models/mart" --exclude "tag:deprecated"
```

* If you omit the method, dbt will default to one of `path`, `file`, or `fqn`.

Remember, the more targeted your selector methods, the more precisely you can execute your dbt transformations.


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