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Power BI Refresh Error:
Compilation Error: Invalid Jinja

What does this error mean?

Dbt encountered a Jinja templating error during compilation. An unclosed block, undefined variable, or incorrect macro call prevented the model from rendering.

Common causes

  • 1Unclosed Jinja blocks such as {% if %} without a corresponding {% endif %}
  • 2A variable referenced with {{ var() }} is not defined in dbt_project.yml or --vars
  • 3A macro is called with incorrect argument names or is not defined in the macros/ directory

How to fix it

  1. 1Run `dbt compile` locally to see the exact file and line number of the Jinja error.
  2. 2Check for unclosed {% %} blocks or mismatched {{ }} delimiters.
  3. 3Verify that all variables referenced with {{ var() }} are defined in dbt_project.yml or passed via --vars.
  4. 4If calling a macro, confirm it is defined in the macros/ directory and arguments are correct.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common Jinja syntax errors in dbt?

Most common causes: missing closing braces ({{ instead of {{}}), unclosed blocks ({% if %} without {% endif %}), incorrect spacing inside delimiters, and using Python format() instead of Jinja template syntax.

Can I test Jinja templates outside of dbt?

Use `dbt compile` to see the rendered SQL without executing. In dbt Cloud, the 'compile' button in the IDE shows the compiled output — easy way to spot Jinja rendering errors before a full run.

Does whitespace inside Jinja delimiters matter?

Inside {{ }} and {% %} delimiters, whitespace is ignored. Delimiters must be exact — two braces each. {# #} is for comments. Mixing comment, variable, and block delimiters is a common error source.

Official documentation: https://docs.getdbt.com/guides/debug-errors

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