# Help w a Conditional Block with an "import playbook" Syntax **URL:** \ **Category:** Get Help\ **Tags:** ansible\ **Created:** [January 14, 2026, 1:28pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/help-w-a-conditional-block-with-an-import-playbook-syntax/45103 "2026-01-14T13:28:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![clerambeau370](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/ansible/user_avatar/forum.ansible.com/clerambeau370/32/10260_2.png) [@clerambeau370](https://forum.ansible.com/u/clerambeau370)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2026, 1:28pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/help-w-a-conditional-block-with-an-import-playbook-syntax/45103/1 "2026-01-14T13:28:29Z")
Hello. I need some help with a conditional block execution. It has to import a playbook only if a certain condition is met. So far, I can either: - import the other playbook without the condition, - or debug the variable condition only (meaning the "import playbook} isnt run). My guess is this is because of my inexperience with the “block” syntax. ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/ansible/original/2X/a/a559aaedadab14a5eeed88eee1a79da72f83fc53.png) Here is the logic: > "Go to ServiceNow ticketing system, check every 15 seconds if there is a new Change Request open with the word “GoldenGate” in the short description. If there is, immediately debug the Change Request VAR and import a different playbook “itsm\_ogg\_add\_deployment.yml” Here is the playbook that has the condition in the debug, but not the import playbook: ```auto --- - name: r-able.com Oracle GoldenGate add deployment process ID 2772.86 hosts: localhost gather_facts: true vars_files: - vars/main.yml tasks: - name: Retrieve change requests that contain GoldenGate in its short description by using field query servicenow.itsm.change_request_info: instance: host: "{{ sn_instance}}" username: "{{ sn_username }}" password: "{{ sn_password }}" query: - short_description: LIKE GoldenGate # - short_description: LIKE SAP register: new_ogg_cr_custom_out - name: This task runs only if a new GoldenGate Change Request 'new_ogg_cr_custom_out' is defined and not empty ansible.builtin.debug: msg: "new_ogg_cr_custom_out has content: {{ new_ogg_cr_custom_out }}" when: new_ogg_cr_custom_out | default('') | length > 0 - import_playbook: itsm_ogg_add_deployment.yml when: new_ogg_cr_custom_out | default('') | length > 0 ``` Here is an example of a successful run if I comment out the “import playbook”: ```auto --- - name: r-able.com Oracle GoldenGate add deployment process ID 2772.86 hosts: localhost gather_facts: true vars_files: - vars/main.yml tasks: - name: Retrieve change requests that contain GoldenGate in its short description by using field query servicenow.itsm.change_request_info: instance: host: "{{ sn_instance}}" username: "{{ sn_username }}" password: "{{ sn_password }}" query: - short_description: LIKE GoldenGate # - short_description: LIKE SAP register: new_ogg_cr_custom_out - name: This task runs only if a new GoldenGate Change Request 'new_ogg_cr_custom_out' is defined and not empty ansible.builtin.debug: msg: "new_ogg_cr_custom_out has content: {{ new_ogg_cr_custom_out }}" when: new_ogg_cr_custom_out | default('') | length > 0 # - import_playbook: itsm_ogg_add_deployment.yml # when: new_ogg_cr_custom_out | default('') | length > 0 ``` Output: ```auto [ansible_admin@lnx000 ansible]$ ansible-playbook ./playbooks/itsm_ogg_get_cr_info_003.yml -kK [WARNING]: Ansible is being run in a world writable directory (/etc/ansible), ignoring it as an ansible.cfg source. For more information see https://docs.ansible.com/ansible/devel/reference_appendices/config.html#cfg-in-world-writable-dir SSH password: BECOME password[defaults to SSH password]: /usr/lib/python3.6/site-packages/requests/ __init__.py:91: RequestsDependencyWarning: urllib3 (1.26.20) or chardet (3.0.4) doesn't match a supported version! RequestsDependencyWarning) PLAY [r-able.com Oracle GoldenGate add deployment process ID 2772.86] ************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************ TASK [Gathering Facts] *********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** ok: [localhost] TASK [Retrieve change requests that contain GoldenGate in its short description by using field query] **************************************************************************************************************************************************************** [WARNING]: Encountered unknown value Other while mapping field category. [WARNING]: Encountered unknown value while mapping field risk. [WARNING]: Encountered unknown value Software while mapping field category. ok: [localhost] TASK [This task runs only if a new GoldenGate Change Request 'new_ogg_cr_custom_out' is defined and not empty] ******************************************************************************************************************************************************* ok: [localhost] => msg: 'new_ogg_cr_custom_out has content: {''changed'': False, ''records'': [{''parent'': '''', ''reason'': '''', ''watch_list'': '''', ''upon_reject'': ''cancel'', ''sys_updated_on'': ''2026-01-13 14:56:04'', ''type'': ''standard'', ''approval_history'': '''', ''number'': ''CHG0030866'', ''test_plan'': '''', ''cab_delegate'': '''', ''requested_by_date'': '''', ''state'': ''closed'', ''sys_created_by'': ''admin'', ''knowledge'': ''false'', ''order'': '''', ''phase'': ''requested'', ''cmdb_ci'': '''', ''delivery_plan'': '''', ''contract'': '''', ''impact'': ''low'', ''active'': ''false'', ''work_notes_list'': '''', ''priority'': ''moderate'', ''sys_domain_path'': ''/'', ''cab_recommendation'': '''', ''production_system'': ''false'', ''review_date'': '''', ''business_duration'': '''', ''group_list'': '''', ''requested_by'': ''6816f79cc0a8016401c5a33be04be441'', ''change_plan'': '''', ''approval_set'': ''2026-01-13 14:53:44'', ''copied_from'': '''', ''implementation_plan'': '''', ''universal_request'': '''', ''end_date'': '''', ''short_description'': ''Oracle GoldenGate replicat replicat RSRCUI1 down, out of sync - CR triggered by incident INC0010595'', ''correlation_display'': '''', ''delivery_task'': '''', ''work_start'': ''2026-01-13 14:53:52'', ''additional_assignee_list'': '''', ''outside_maintenance_schedule'': ''false'', ''std_change_producer_version'': '''', ''service_offering'': '''', ''sys_class_name'': ''change_request'', ''closed_by'': ''6816f79cc0a8016401c5a33be04be441'', ''follow_up'': '''', ''reassignment_count'': ''0'', ''review_status'': '''', ''assigned_to'': ''3c589a008334f210f28198c6feaad375'', ''start_date'': '''', ''sla_due'': '''', ''comments_and_work_notes'': '''', ''escalation'': ''0'', ''upon_approval'': ''proceed'', ''correlation_id'': '''', ''made_sla'': ''true'', ''backout_plan'': '''', ''conflict_status'': ''Not Run'', ''task_effective_number'': ''CHG0030866'', ''sys_updated_by'': ''admin'', ''opened_by'': ''6816f79cc0a8016401c5a33be04be441'', ''user_input'': '''', ''sys_created_on'': ''2026-01-13 14:53:44'', ''on_hold_task'': '''', ''sys_domain'': ''global'', ''route_reason'': '''', ''closed_at'': ''2026-01-13 14:55:57'', ''review_comments'': '''', ''business_service'': '''', ''time_worked'': '''', ''chg_model'': ''e55d0bfec343101035ae3f52c1d3ae49'', ''expected_start'': '''', ''opened_at'': ''2026-01-13 14:53:44'', ''work_end'': ''2026-01-13 14:53:53'', ''phase_state'': ''open'', ''work_notes'': '''', ''close_code'': ''successful'', ''assignment_group'': ''db53580b0a0a0a6501aa37c294a2ba6b'', ''description'': ''Refreshing the target Oracle instance from source INC0010595 on 2026-01-13T14:53:32Z for replicat RSRCUI1'', ''on_hold_reason'': '''', ''calendar_duration'': '''', ''close_notes'': ''Hyperautomation has successfully closed CR at "2026-01-13T14:53:32Z"'', ''sys_id'': ''fc6efca783563210f28198c6feaad306'', ''contact_type'': '''', ''cab_required'': ''false'', ''urgency'': ''low'', ''scope'': ''3'', ''company'': '''', ''justification'': '''', ''activity_due'': '''', ''comments'': '''', ''approval'': ''approved'', ''due_date'': '''', ''sys_mod_count'': ''8'', ''on_hold'': False, ''sys_tags'': '''', ''cab_date_time'': '''', ''conflict_last_run'': '''', ''unauthorized'': ''false'', ''location'': '''', ''risk'': ''low'', ''category'': ''Other'', ''risk_impact_analysis'': '''', ''attachments'': [{''size_bytes'': ''5750256'', ''file_name'': ''ansible.log'', ''sys_mod_count'': ''1'', ''average_image_color'': '''', ''image_width'': '''', ''sys_updated_on'': ''2026-01-13 14:56:06'', ''sys_tags'': '''', ''table_name'': ''change_request'', ''sys_id'': ''0beef8e783563210f28198c6feaad3de'', ''image_height'': '''', ''sys_updated_by'': ''system'', ''download_link'': ''https://dev276659.service-now.com/api/now/attachment/0beef8e783563210f28198c6feaad3de/file'', ''content_type'': ''text/x-log'', ''sys_created_on'': ''2026-01-13 14:56:04'', ''size_compressed'': ''502837'', ''compressed'': ''true'', ''state'': ''available'', ''table_sys_id'': ''fc6efca783563210f28198c6feaad306'', ''chunk_size_bytes'': ''700000'', ''hash'': ''af4b778148f3bad79c09b39b3911cf47214999e69be15f46e95b99414e0e5f61'', ''sys_created_by'': ''admin''}]}, {''parent'': '''', ''reason'': '''', ''watch_list'': '''', ''upon_reject'': ''cancel'', ''sys_updated_on'': ''2026-01-14 11:28:00'', ''type'': ''normal'', ''approval_history'': '''', ''number'': ''CHG0030884'', ''test_plan'': '''', ''cab_delegate'': '''', ''requested_by_date'': '''', ''state'': ''new'', ''sys_created_by'': ''admin'', ''knowledge'': ''false'', ''order'': '''', ''phase'': ''requested'', ''cmdb_ci'': ''0c43d5e2c61122750182c132a8b9e2d9'', ''delivery_plan'': '''', ''contract'': '''', ''impact'': ''low'', ''active'': ''true'', ''work_notes_list'': '''', ''priority'': ''low'', ''sys_domain_path'': ''/'', ''cab_recommendation'': '''', ''production_system'': ''false'', ''review_date'': '''', ''business_duration'': '''', ''group_list'': '''', ''requested_by'': ''6816f79cc0a8016401c5a33be04be441'', ''change_plan'': '''', ''approval_set'': '''', ''copied_from'': '''', ''implementation_plan'': '''', ''universal_request'': '''', ''end_date'': '''', ''short_description'': ''Add an Oracle GoldenGate Deployment'', ''correlation_display'': '''', ''delivery_task'': '''', ''work_start'': '''', ''additional_assignee_list'': '''', ''outside_maintenance_schedule'': ''false'', ''std_change_producer_version'': '''', ''service_offering'': ''04b89573835e7210f28198c6feaad3f0'', ''sys_class_name'': ''change_request'', ''closed_by'': '''', ''follow_up'': '''', ''reassignment_count'': ''1'', ''review_status'': '''', ''assigned_to'': ''3c589a008334f210f28198c6feaad375'', ''start_date'': '''', ''sla_due'': '''', ''comments_and_work_notes'': '''', ''escalation'': ''0'', ''upon_approval'': ''proceed'', ''correlation_id'': '''', ''made_sla'': ''true'', ''backout_plan'': '''', ''conflict_status'': ''Not Run'', ''task_effective_number'': ''CHG0030884'', ''sys_updated_by'': ''admin'', ''opened_by'': ''6816f79cc0a8016401c5a33be04be441'', ''user_input'': '''', ''sys_created_on'': ''2026-01-14 10:28:21'', ''on_hold_task'': '''', ''sys_domain'': ''global'', ''route_reason'': '''', ''closed_at'': '''', ''review_comments'': '''', ''business_service'': ''281a4d5fc0a8000b00e4ba489a83eedc'', ''time_worked'': '''', ''chg_model'': ''007c4001c343101035ae3f52c1d3aeb2'', ''expected_start'': '''', ''opened_at'': ''2026-01-14 10:23:49'', ''work_end'': '''', ''phase_state'': ''open'', ''work_notes'': '''', ''close_code'': '''', ''assignment_group'': ''db53580b0a0a0a6501aa37c294a2ba6b'', ''description'': ''Asset ID:\r\nClient: \r\nApplication:\r\nEnvironment:\r\nBusiness Unit:\r\nApproval:\r\nBilling:'', ''on_hold_reason'': '''', ''calendar_duration'': '''', ''close_notes'': '''', ''sys_id'': ''b03a4d7f83da7210f28198c6feaad3a4'', ''contact_type'': '''', ''cab_required'': ''false'', ''urgency'': ''low'', ''scope'': ''3'', ''company'': '''', ''justification'': '''', ''activity_due'': '''', ''comments'': '''', ''approval'': ''not requested'', ''due_date'': '''', ''sys_mod_count'': ''2'', ''on_hold'': False, ''sys_tags'': '''', ''cab_date_time'': '''', ''conflict_last_run'': '''', ''unauthorized'': ''false'', ''location'': '''', ''risk'': '''', ''category'': ''Software'', ''risk_impact_analysis'': '''', ''attachments'': []}], ''warnings'': [''Encountered unknown value Other while mapping field category.'', ''Encountered unknown value while mapping field risk.'', ''Encountered unknown value Software while mapping field category.''], ''failed'': False}' PLAY RECAP *********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** localhost : ok=3 changed=0 unreachable=0 failed=0 skipped=0 rescued=0 ignored=0 [ansible_admin@lnx000 ansible]$ ``` Please help. My guess is I need to place the block in the right places with just one condition underneath. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Lyle\_McKarns](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/ansible/user_avatar/forum.ansible.com/lyle_mckarns/32/8142_2.png) [@Lyle\_McKarns](https://forum.ansible.com/u/Lyle_McKarns)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2026, 1:52pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/help-w-a-conditional-block-with-an-import-playbook-syntax/45103/2 "2026-01-14T13:52:03Z")
If I’m interpreting the error correctly, its complaining that you have two tasks that both have the same `when` condition, and so that should be a block. It should look something like this ```auto - name: Tasks to run on new GoldenGate Change Request when: new_ogg_cr_custom_out | default('') | length > 0 block: - name: Debug ogg_cr_custom_out ansible.builtin.debug: msg: "new_ogg_cr_custom_out has content: {{ new_ogg_cr_custom_out }}" - import_playbook: itsm_ogg_add_deployment.yml ``` the [block documentation](https://docs.ansible.com/projects/ansible/latest/playbook_guide/playbooks_blocks.html#id1) should have more examples. ---
**Author:** ![flowerysong](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/ansible/user_avatar/forum.ansible.com/flowerysong/32/2305_2.png) [@flowerysong](https://forum.ansible.com/u/flowerysong)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2026, 3:37pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/help-w-a-conditional-block-with-an-import-playbook-syntax/45103/3 "2026-01-14T15:37:03Z")
[`import_playbook`](https://docs.ansible.com/projects/ansible/latest/collections/ansible/builtin/import_playbook_module.html#examples) is only valid at the top level of the playbook, it is not a task that can be used inside a play. It imports the plays from the target playbook into the current one. You might instead want to put the tasks from that playbook in a task file (either free-standing or as a role) and then import that in both playbooks. ---
**Author:** ![bcoca](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/ansible/user_avatar/forum.ansible.com/bcoca/32/9269_2.png) [@bcoca](https://forum.ansible.com/u/bcoca)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2026, 4:34pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/help-w-a-conditional-block-with-an-import-playbook-syntax/45103/4 "2026-01-14T16:34:58Z")
Also, imports cannot be made conditional, only includes can, and no, there is no include\_playbook. ---
**Author:** ![Lyle\_McKarns](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/ansible/user_avatar/forum.ansible.com/lyle_mckarns/32/8142_2.png) [@Lyle\_McKarns](https://forum.ansible.com/u/Lyle_McKarns)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2026, 5:12pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/help-w-a-conditional-block-with-an-import-playbook-syntax/45103/5 "2026-01-14T17:12:04Z")
Good catches @flowerysong & @bcoca, I was focused on the `block` syntax and wasn’t paying attention to the `import_playbook` part ---
**Author:** ![clerambeau370](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/ansible/user_avatar/forum.ansible.com/clerambeau370/32/10260_2.png) [@clerambeau370](https://forum.ansible.com/u/clerambeau370)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2026, 5:32pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/help-w-a-conditional-block-with-an-import-playbook-syntax/45103/6 "2026-01-14T17:32:39Z")
Yes, it told me that, exactly. The import is only allowed at the top and cannot just replace tasks. Thank you. Re-writing. ---
**Author:** ![kks](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/ansible/user_avatar/forum.ansible.com/kks/32/10352_2.png) [@kks](https://forum.ansible.com/u/kks)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2026, 6:38pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/help-w-a-conditional-block-with-an-import-playbook-syntax/45103/7 "2026-01-14T18:38:53Z")
Conditional playbook imports are very much possible with ansible. But cannot be put inside block (documentation clearly says that import\_playbook cannot be used inside action or play only at the top level) Here is an example: ```yaml bash-5.2$ cat conditional_import.yml - import_playbook: "{{ playbook_name }}.yml" bash-5.2$ cat one.yml --- - name: One gather_facts: false hosts: localhost tasks: - ansible.builtin.debug: msg: "playbook one" bash-5.2$ cat two.yml --- - name: Two gather_facts: false hosts: localhost tasks: - ansible.builtin.debug: msg: "playbook two" ``` Execute them like this: ```bash bash-5.2$ ansible-playbook conditional_import.yml --extra-vars "playbook_name=one" [WARNING]: No inventory was parsed, only implicit localhost is available [WARNING]: provided hosts list is empty, only localhost is available. Note that the implicit localhost does not match 'all' PLAY [One] ********************************************************************************************************************************************************** TASK [ansible.builtin.debug] **************************************************************************************************************************************** ok: [localhost] => { "msg": "playbook one" } PLAY RECAP ********************************************************************************************************************************************************** localhost : ok=1 changed=0 unreachable=0 failed=0 skipped=0 rescued=0 ignored=0 bash-5.2$ ansible-playbook conditional_import.yml --extra-vars "playbook_name=two" [WARNING]: No inventory was parsed, only implicit localhost is available [WARNING]: provided hosts list is empty, only localhost is available. Note that the implicit localhost does not match 'all' PLAY [Two] ********************************************************************************************************************************************************** TASK [ansible.builtin.debug] **************************************************************************************************************************************** ok: [localhost] => { "msg": "playbook two" } PLAY RECAP ********************************************************************************************************************************************************** localhost : ok=1 changed=0 unreachable=0 failed=0 skipped=0 rescued=0 ignored=0 ``` There are of course limitations what variables can be used in such conditions. This is an exercise for curious reader. That would be nice if someone checked that - I do not know the answer to that question. Hint: with ansible.builtin.ternary filter one can make it actual logical condition. ```yaml - import_playbook: "{{ playbook_name }}.yml" vars: playbook_name: "{{ (param | int > 1) | ternary('two','one') }}" ``` ```auto bash-5.2$ ansible-playbook conditional_import.yml --extra-vars "param=3" [WARNING]: No inventory was parsed, only implicit localhost is available [WARNING]: provided hosts list is empty, only localhost is available. Note that the implicit localhost does not match 'all' PLAY [Two] ********************************************************************************************************************************************************** TASK [ansible.builtin.debug] **************************************************************************************************************************************** ok: [localhost] => { "msg": "playbook two" } PLAY RECAP ********************************************************************************************************************************************************** localhost : ok=1 changed=0 unreachable=0 failed=0 skipped=0 rescued=0 ignored=0 ``` ---
**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/ansible/original/1X/1882d9a01da5d8996a862359b0913cc568a39b84.svg) [@system](https://forum.ansible.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2026, 6:39pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/help-w-a-conditional-block-with-an-import-playbook-syntax/45103/8 "2026-02-13T18:39:27Z")
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