Join paths enable seamless connections between tables, allowing data from multiple tables to be combined into a single metric. These connections also support drill-downs from a metric to an entity built on different tables. They also enable dynamic querying so only necessary tables are used, making fetching data time- and cost-efficient.

Admins only

Semantic graph is available for admins only

Get an overview

The semantic graph displays all schemas, tables and views from your connected database. When you select a table from the list, a detailed panel opens, offering more information and options. This allows you to manage join paths and view a complete list of all available columns for the selected table.

Semantic graph overview

Create a join path

Join paths connect one table to another by a shared data point.

  1. Go to Settings → Semantic graph
  2. Select a table
  3. Click + next to Join path to create a connection
  4. Choose a column you want to join from.
  5. Specify the relationship type: one-to-one, one-to-many or many-to-one
  6. Select the table and the column to join to

This will create a two-way connection between the tables. Steep can traverse the semantic graph to find tables two steps away from each other.

Creating a join path

Remove a join path

Please note

Removing a join may break metrics that rely on the connection, as well as drill-downs between metrics and entities.

Delete join

  1. Go to Settings → Semantic graph
  2. Select the table containing the join you want to remove.
  3. Find the join in the list and click Delete.

This action removes the join from both connected tables.

Remove a join

Check and repair broken metrics

When a join is removed, any metrics built on columns from the disconnected table may break. All broken metrics will be highlighted in the metric catalog, making it easy for you to find and repair any issues caused by a removed join.

Missing columns

Upgrade old joins to semantic graph

Workspaces containing metrics that are built with the old version of joins can be upgraded to the new join paths in the semantic graph.

Here’s a simple guide for setting up new join paths:

→ Migration guide

Limitations

If you use dbt Cloud or Cube, the semantic graph does not display underlying tables or support join creation.

However, if your setup includes another database in combination with dbt Cloud or Cube, you can view and create joins for tables in the supported database.