How it Works

The expect_table_row_count_to_equal_other_table test from the dbt-expectations package validates that two models contain exactly the same number of rows. This is the dbt-expectations equivalent of equal_rowcount from dbt-utils™, providing a cross-table volume consistency check.

Steps and Conditions

1. Comparison Model: Specify the reference model using compare_model.

2. Execution: Both models are counted and compared.

3. Outcome: Pass if counts are equal; fail if they differ.

Example Usage: ETL Validation

A data team wants to confirm that their transformation layer preserves exactly the same number of records as the source, ruling out any dropped or duplicated rows.

models:
  - name: stg_transactions
    tests:
      - dbt_expectations.expect_table_row_count_to_equal_other_table:
          compare_model: source('raw', 'transactions'

models:
  - name: stg_transactions
    tests:
      - dbt_expectations.expect_table_row_count_to_equal_other_table:
          compare_model: source('raw', 'transactions'

models:
  - name: stg_transactions
    tests:
      - dbt_expectations.expect_table_row_count_to_equal_other_table:
          compare_model: source('raw', 'transactions'

Any row count discrepancy between staging and source immediately surfaces for investigation.