[BUG] Column Level databricks_tags erroring out

[davidbeaty-a8]

Describe the bug
Error shown when trying to add column level databricks_tags.

dbt1060: While parsing config: Ignored unexpected key "databricks_tags". YAML path: columns[1].config.databricks_tags.

Note, view/table level databricks_tags get applied correctly.

As described on this dbt documentation page : Configuring columns

What version of dbt Fusion is this bug in? (find out by running dbt --version)
dbt-fusion 2.0.0-preview.48

Is this a discrepancy between the dbt Fusion Engine and dbt Core? Check one.

• YES
• NO

To Reproduce

version: 2
models:
  - name: stg_members
    description: Simulated test data for members.
    config:
      databricks_tags:
        contains_pii: true
      persist_docs:
        columns: true
        relation: true
      meta:
        source_name: stream_data
        source_table: stream_members
    columns:
      - name: membership_number
        description: The membership number
        config:
          meta:
            dot_column_name: json_payload
            dot_location: membership_number
            dq:
              - not_null
              - not_blank
              - unique
      - name: email_address
        description: The members email address
        config:
          databricks_tags:
            contains_pii: true
          meta:
            databricks_tags:
              contains_pii: true
            dot_column_name: json_payload
            dot_location: email_address
            dq:
              - not_null
              - not_blank
              - name: regex_match
                pattern: '^[a-zA-Z0-9._%+-]+@[a-zA-Z0-9.-]+\\.[a-zA-Z]{2,}$'
              - not_banned

Expected behavior
dbt-fusion not to error.
column tags to be applied to databricks column

Screenshots

Operating System and CPU Type (please complete the following information):

OS Name	Microsoft Windows 10 Pro
Version	10.0.19045 Build 19045
Other OS Description 	Not Available
OS Manufacturer	Microsoft Corporation
System Name	DESKTOP-2PAM4OI
System Manufacturer	Dell Inc.
System Model	XPS 13 9310
System Type	x64-based PC
System SKU	0991
Processor	11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-1185G7 @ 3.00GHz, 2995 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 8 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date	Dell Inc. 3.34.0, 08/08/2025
SMBIOS Version	3.2
Embedded Controller Version	255.255
BIOS Mode	UEFI
BaseBoard Manufacturer	Dell Inc.
BaseBoard Product	0DXP1F
BaseBoard Version	A00
Platform Role	Mobile
Secure Boot State	On
PCR7 Configuration	Elevation Required to View
Windows Directory	C:\WINDOWS
System Directory	C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device	\Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale	United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer	Version = "10.0.19041.6456"
Time Zone	GMT Standard Time
Installed Physical Memory (RAM)	16.0 GB
Total Physical Memory	15.7 GB
Available Physical Memory	2.77 GB
Total Virtual Memory	20.1 GB
Available Virtual Memory	2.73 GB
Page File Space	4.37 GB
Page File	C:\pagefile.sys
Kernel DMA Protection	On
Virtualization-based security	Not enabled
Device Encryption Support	Elevation Required to View
Hyper-V - VM Monitor Mode Extensions	Yes
Hyper-V - Second Level Address Translation Extensions	Yes
Hyper-V - Virtualization Enabled in Firmware	Yes
Hyper-V - Data Execution Protection	Yes

[davidbeaty-a8]

When running the model:

[davidbeaty-a8]

When run in dbt Core, it doesn't error, it just ignores the configuration in the YAML

[amychen1776]

@davidbeaty-a8 does this mean it doesn't work on dbt Core for you? Fusion is more strict on configurations and intentionally errors out if the config doesn't work.

[davidbeaty-a8]

@amychen1776 , correct - on dbt Core, the dbt run completes without erroring, and does not apply the column level databricks_tags either. Ultimately I feel this is then 2 problems.

1. Fusion complaining about config being incorrect.
2. dbt-databricks adaptor not applying config defined.

17:18:12  adapter type: databricks
17:18:12  adapter version: 1.10.14

[amychen1776]

@davidbeaty-a8

1. This is intended behavior if the configuration does not work. Fusion is designed to be sql comprehensive so that we can ensure your dbt project actually works the way you have it configured. This is an intended feature.
2. In terms of the adapter not working on either dbt-core or Fusion, I did some digging and it seems like the docs are outdated. We are working on getting this fixed. Can you remove the config and move databricks_tags into the same level as where that config is?

[davidbeaty-a8]

Hi @amychen1776

Understood on point 1 - I fully understand Fusion is stricter with the YML configuration.

On point 2, I'll await the documentation updating to see where it should live. it doesn't like being at the same level/outside of the config either and gives me the same warning (see screenshot below).

dbt1060: While parsing config: Ignored unexpected key `"databricks_tags"`. YAML path: `columns[1].databricks_tags`.
  --> models\1-staging\stg_members.yml:27:9

[amychen1776]

@davidbeaty-a8 the PR has been merged so please take a look: dbt-labs/docs.getdbt.com#7952

Configuring columns

[amychen1776]

I'm going to close out this issue to keep our board clean but please let me know if this isn't resolved. I can reopen the issue then

[davidbeaty-a8]

Hi @amychen1776, after moving the databricks_tags entry out of the config, it still gives me an error in VS code, and when I try and run the model:

As you can see from the 2nd screenshot I'm on Fusion version 2.0.0-preview.53