---
title: "BI measures that redefine a dbt metric | Metacenta"
description: "When a Looker, Power BI or Tableau measure shares its name with a dbt metric, the logic exists twice and drifts. How we spot it, and when a copy is right."
url: "https://metacenta.com/rules/bi-reimplements-dbt-metric"
updated: "2026-10-14"
tokens: 562
---

BI semantic layer · rule bi-reimplements-dbt-metric

# BI measures that redefine a dbt metric

A Metacenta review checks this under the rule **The BI layer reads dbt's metric rather than redefining it**. Everything below applies whether or not you ever commission one.

## What this rule checks

This rule flags each BI measure whose name matches a dbt metric's name or label. We then trace both to the warehouse tables they read. A copy over the metric's own model is rated low; one over a different table, or one we cannot trace, is rated higher.

## Why it matters

Two copies of one definition drift the first time one changes and the other does not. Over a different table, the data team's metric and the business's number can disagree without either being wrong.

## How to fix it

**Read dbt's metrics in the BI layer instead of redefining them.** Treat the dbt metric as canonical. Point the BI measure at the metric's model, or at the dbt Semantic Layer where the BI tool supports it, and delete the copy.

## When it is fine to leave

A BI tool that can't query the dbt Semantic Layer may need a copy. Keep it over the metric's own model. A deliberately different measure should be renamed, and then it no longer matches. This rule doesn't count towards the score.

## What we need to check it

`manifest.json` from a project that defines metrics, plus at least one BI layer. Without metrics there is nothing to compare, so the rule is not applicable. We match on the normalised name only, never on the expression.

[Ask about a review](https://metacenta.com/enquire?src=rule-bi-reimplements-dbt-metric&via=md)

## Related pages

- [dbt semantic models reading unbuilt columns](https://metacenta.com/rules/semantic-column-not-built)
- [dbt semantic model keys with no unique test](https://metacenta.com/rules/semantic-primary-entity-unasserted)
- [Looker views reading tables dbt does not know](https://metacenta.com/rules/lookml-view-unbuilt-table)
- [Looker views reading raw dbt sources](https://metacenta.com/rules/lookml-view-reads-raw-source)
- [A sample review, as a client reads it](https://metacenta.com/sample)
- [All published rules](https://metacenta.com/rules)
- [How a review is assessed](https://metacenta.com/standard)