# Loop files that will be used as variables **URL:** \ **Category:** Ansible Project\ **Created:** [June 14, 2023, 11:07am UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/loop-files-that-will-be-used-as-variables/38102 "2023-06-14T11:07:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dudu.c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/278dde/32.png) [@dudu.c](https://forum.ansible.com/u/dudu.c)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2023, 11:07am UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/loop-files-that-will-be-used-as-variables/38102/1 "2023-06-14T11:07:38Z")
Hi , I’m using the template module that takes a J2 template and update the relevant fields. My problem is When I want to create a file per file input should be used as variable – I’m actually need to understand how to loop file that should be used as var files **My J2 file** select \* from {{ item.id}} where {{ item.color}} **My input files** **File-1.yml :** Id: 1 color: blue **File-2** \*\*.yml\*\* **:** Id: 2 color: red **My Playbook – that is not working.** - hosts: localhost become: true gather\_facts: yes tasks: - name: template: src: /opt/input.sql.j2 dest: /opt//{{item.id}}.sql with\_items: - file-1.yaml - file-2.yaml **The output files I wish to have** 1.sql select \* from 1 where blue 2.sql select \* from 2 where red ---
**Author:** ![Will\_McDonald](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f475e1/32.png) [@Will\_McDonald](https://forum.ansible.com/u/Will_McDonald)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2023, 7:01pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/loop-files-that-will-be-used-as-variables/38102/2 "2023-06-14T19:01:25Z")
I think this answer might give you a pointer in the right direction: [https://stackoverflow.com/a/52237675](https://stackoverflow.com/a/52237675) It should work, but there could be a better/simpler way to do this. Do you control the generation of the files that provide your source variables? What’s the **_actual_** problem you need to solve? (Obviously dynamically generating and presumably running some SQL but can you step back a level or two and describe the actual goal?) ---
**Author:** ![dudu.c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/278dde/32.png) [@dudu.c](https://forum.ansible.com/u/dudu.c)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2023, 5:43am UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/loop-files-that-will-be-used-as-variables/38102/3 "2023-06-18T05:43:33Z")
Sorry - But i didnt fully understand your question My input files are static - The problem that i’m trying to solve is how to loop “vars\_file” for the same task ב-יום רביעי, 14 ביוני 2023 בשעה 22:01:56 UTC+3, Will McDonald כתב/ה: ---
**Author:** ![dnmvisser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8e8cbc/32.png) [@dnmvisser](https://forum.ansible.com/u/dnmvisser)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2023, 6:12am UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/loop-files-that-will-be-used-as-variables/38102/4 "2023-06-18T06:12:44Z")
> Sorry - But i didnt fully understand your question > > My input files are static - The problem that i’m trying to solve is how to loop “vars\_file” for the same task What are you trying to achieve with the playbook? ---
**Author:** ![vbotka](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/ansible/user_avatar/forum.ansible.com/vbotka/32/359_2.png) [@vbotka](https://forum.ansible.com/u/vbotka)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2023, 6:51am UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/loop-files-that-will-be-used-as-variables/38102/5 "2023-06-18T06:51:29Z")
> \*My J2 file\* > > select \* from {{ item.id}} where {{ item.color}} > > \*My input files\* > > \*File-1.yml :\* > Id: 1 > color: blue > > \*File-2\*\*.yml\*\* :\* > Id: 2 > color: red > > \*My Playbook – that is not working. \* > - hosts: localhost >   become: true >   gather\_facts: yes >   tasks: >     - name: >       template: >         src: /opt/input.sql.j2 >         dest: /opt//{{item.id}}.sql >       with\_items: >         - file-1.yaml > >         - file-2.yaml > > \*The output files I wish to have \* > > 1.sql > select \* from 1 where blue > > 2.sql > select \* from 2 where red Given the files   \> cat file-1.yaml   id: 1   color: blue   \> cat file-2.yaml   id: 2   color: red Read the files in the loop. Test it   \> cat pb.yml   - hosts: localhost     tasks:       - debug:           var: i         loop:           - file-1.yaml           - file-2.yaml         vars:           i: "{{ lookup('file', item )|from\_yaml }}" gives (abridged)   TASK [debug] ---
**Author:** ![dudu.c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/278dde/32.png) [@dudu.c](https://forum.ansible.com/u/dudu.c)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2023, 7:43am UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/loop-files-that-will-be-used-as-variables/38102/6 "2023-06-19T07:43:32Z")
Vladimir Botka‏@ Thank you - it works ב-יום ראשון, 18 ביוני 2023 בשעה 09:51:58 UTC+3, Vladimir Botka כתב/ה: