---
title: "dbt columns with no description | Metacenta"
description: "Declared dbt columns with no description leave analysts guessing, and two dashboards end up defining one metric two ways. How to fix it without repeating yourself."
url: "https://metacenta.com/rules/model-columns-undocumented"
updated: "2026-10-14"
tokens: 538
---

Documentation · rule model-columns-undocumented

# dbt columns with no description

A Metacenta review checks this under the rule **Declared columns carry descriptions**. Everything below applies whether or not you ever commission one.

## What this rule checks

For every dbt model that declares its columns, this rule counts the columns with an empty `description`. It reports one finding per model, naming the first few columns.

## Why it matters

Analysts guess at what an undocumented column means. Two of them guess differently, and two dashboards end up defining the same metric in two ways.

## How to fix it

**Document the declared columns.** Describe the columns, starting with the ones people filter and aggregate on. Where a column means the same thing in several models, write the description once in a `{% docs %}` block and point each column at it with `{{ doc() }}`.

Before:

```yaml
    columns:
      - name: net_revenue
      - name: ordered_at
```

After:

```yaml
    columns:
      - name: net_revenue
        description: Order total after discounts and refunds, before tax, in GBP.
      - name: ordered_at
        description: "{{ doc('ordered_at') }}"
```

## When it is fine to leave

Keys and self-explanatory columns such as `created_at` can go without, if the model's own description says what one row is. Models that declare no columns are not judged here; the rule on undeclared columns covers them.

## What we need to check it

`manifest.json` alone.

[Ask about a review](https://metacenta.com/enquire?src=rule-model-columns-undocumented&via=md)

## Related pages

- [dbt models with no description](https://metacenta.com/rules/model-undocumented)
- [dbt models that declare no columns](https://metacenta.com/rules/model-no-column-schema)
- [dbt sources with no description](https://metacenta.com/rules/source-undocumented)
- [dbt source groups with no description](https://metacenta.com/rules/source-parent-undocumented)
- [This rule in a sample review](https://metacenta.com/sample#jaffle-shop)
- [All published rules](https://metacenta.com/rules)
- [How a review is assessed](https://metacenta.com/standard)