metabase / metabase/metabase

Model implicit joins fails on Native SQL with Dashboard filter unless FK relationship also setup on underlying table

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.Needs Triage .Run Repro Bot .Team/QueryingPlatform Priority:P2 Type:Bug
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Description

### Describe the bug

Using a Question based on a Native SQL Model with FK relationship on the Native SQL Model but not on the database column it maps to in a Dashboard with filters on other columns, fails in two ways.

Image

If only filter selected, throws:
> ERROR middleware.catch-exceptions :: Error processing query: Column with source :source/implicitly-joinable is missing join alias

If another filter selected affecting same query, throws:
> ERROR middleware.catch-exceptions :: Error processing query: Cannot find matching FK Table ID for FK Field 14 "Product ID"

### To Reproduce

1. Create the native model
- New > Model > native query, Sample Database: `SELECT * FROM orders`
- Save as `ORDERS MODEL`
2. Edit Model Metadata and map the model columns to table fields
- For `PRODUCT_ID`
- Set **Database column this maps** to: Sample Database > Orders > **Product ID**
- Set **Column type** to: Foreign Key > Products > ID
- For `USER_ID`
- Set **Database column this maps** to: Sample Database > Orders > **User ID**
- Set **Column type** to: Foreign Key > People > ID
3. Create a Question on the model and Save it to a new Dashboard
- Simple Count on `ORDERS MODEL`
4. Edit Dashboard and add 2 filters:
- State - Mapped to User/People > State
- Category - Mapped to Products > Category
6. Save the dashboard.
7. Try one filter at a time, then both. All work as expected.
8. In Admin > Table Metadata, set Sample Database > Orders > Product ID to `No semantic type`
9. Refresh the dashboard
- State filter still works on its own
- Category filter doesn't work anymore
- Selecting both filters doesn't work anymore

### Expected behavior

Expect Model FK relationships to be picked up even if the database column it maps to doesn't have FK relationship configured.

### Logs

2026-09-19 00:38:44,829 DEBUG middleware.log :: POST /api/dashboard/11/dashcard/123/card/134/query 202 [ASYNC: completed] 56ms (22 DB calls) App DB connections: 0/10 Jetty threads: 4/50 (3 idle, 0 queued) (111 total active threads) Queries in flight: 1 (0 queued); sqlite DB 1 connections: 0/1 (0 threads blocked) {:metabase-user-id 1}
2026-09-19 00:38:48,090 ERROR middleware.catch-exceptions :: Error processing query: Column with source :source/implicitly-joinable is missing join alias
2026-09-19 00:38:48,092 DEBUG middleware.log :: POST /api/dashboard/11/dashcard/123/card/134/query 202 [ASYNC: completed] 48ms (27 DB calls) App DB connections: 0/10 Jetty threads: 4/50 (3 idle, 0 queued) (112 total active threads) Queries in flight: 0 (0 queued) {:metabase-user-id 1}
2026-09-19 00:39:21,176 ERROR middleware.catch-exceptions :: Error processing query: Cannot find matching FK Table ID for FK Field 14 "Product ID"

### Information about your Metabase installation

```JSON
v1.63.18
```

### Severity

common functionality broken, and workaround is to map the underlying column as a FK, but no indication in product that is the fix

### Additional context

Might be related to this one:
- https://github.com/metabase/metabase/issues/67475

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start by reproducing the native SQL model and dashboard-filter scenario described in the issue, including removing the underlying Product ID foreign-key semantic type. Compare the behavior with and without that metadata, then review related issue #67475. Done means filters work through the model FK relationship without either reported error.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
clojure, sql
Domain
backend, databases
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Active
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
52/100

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