---
title: "Defining a schema source property"
source: dbt Core Documentation
source_url: https://github.com/dbt-labs/docs.getdbt.com
licence: Apache-2.0
domain: data-and-analysis
subdomain: dbt-docs
date_added: 2026-04-25
---

<File name='models/<filename>.yml'>

```yml

[sources](/reference/source-properties):
  - name: <source_name>
    database: <database_name>
    schema: <schema_name>
    tables:
      - name: <table_name>
      - ...

```

</File>

## Definition
The schema name as stored in the database.

This parameter is useful if you want to use a [source](/reference/source-properties) name that differs from the schema name.


:::info BigQuery terminology

If you're using BigQuery, use the _dataset_ name as the `schema` property.

:::

## Default
By default, dbt will use the source's `name` parameter as the schema name.

## Examples
### Use a simpler name for a source schema than the one in your database

<File name='models/<filename>.yml'>

```yml

sources:
  - name: jaffle_shop
    schema: postgres_backend_public_schema
    tables:
      - name: orders

```

</File>


In a downstream model:
```sql
select * from {{ source('jaffle_shop', 'orders') }}
```

Will get compiled to:
```sql
select * from postgres_backend_public_schema.orders
```
