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analytics-dictionary / tool overview / transformation & metrics

MetricFlow

MetricFlow is the semantic layer technology used by dbt to define metrics and generate queries.

Written by Reflective Data experts · updated Oct 5, 2026

Metrics and dimensions are defined in YAML alongside dbt models, and MetricFlow generates the SQL needed to answer a request consistently, including joins and time handling.

It lets BI tools and AI agents ask for governed metrics rather than writing their own SQL.

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dbtMetricSemantic layer

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