> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.soda.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.soda.io/data-testing/data-standards/verify-a-data-standard.md).

# Verify a Data Standard

Verifying a Data Standard **runs its checks against real data** and **reports** whether the data meets the rule. Active standards are verified **automatically on their schedule** in Soda Cloud. You can also trigger a verification **on demand**, either from the dataset's page in Soda Cloud or from the **Soda CLI** (useful for CI/CD pipelines, custom orchestration, or reproducing a scheduled run locally).

## Verify on demand in Soda Cloud

You run a standard's checks from the **dataset's page**, not from the standard itself. Use the **Verify** button on the dataset to run its checks on demand.

By default, **Verify runs both the dataset's Data Standard checks and its Data Contract checks** in one go. To run just one, use the dropdown next to the button and choose the Data Standard checks (or the contract checks) individually.

{% hint style="info" %}
There is no "run" action on the standard editor itself. Because a standard fans out across many datasets, verification is always triggered per dataset, from that dataset's page.
{% endhint %}

## Verify a dataset's standards from the CLI

Use `soda data-standard verify` with `--dataset` (`-d`) to **fetch and run all active standards** that apply to a specific dataset, as resolved by their scopes in Soda Cloud.

```bash
soda data-standard verify \
  --dataset datasource/db/schema/customers \
  --data-source ds_config.yml \
  --soda-cloud sc_config.yml
```

This command:

* Fetches the active standards for the dataset from Soda Cloud, already resolved with the dataset and its active columns
* Connects to your data source using the configuration file
* Runs the checks and returns a pass/fail result

Because the standards are resolved by Soda Cloud, this run mirrors exactly what the scheduled cloud-managed verification does.

{% hint style="info" %}
`--dataset` requires `--soda-cloud`, since the active standards are fetched from Soda Cloud.
{% endhint %}

## Publish results to Soda Cloud

Add `--publish` (`-p`) to **send verification results to Soda Cloud** for visibility, history, and alerting.

```bash
soda data-standard verify \
  --dataset datasource/db/schema/customers \
  --data-source ds_config.yml \
  --soda-cloud sc_config.yml \
  --publish
```

> Learn how to connect the CLI to Soda Cloud: [Core CLI reference](/reference/cli-reference.md#connect-to-soda-cloud).

## Override variables

If a standard declares variables, pass values at verification time with `--set`:

```bash
soda data-standard verify -d datasource/db/schema/customers -ds ds_config.yml -sc sc_config.yml --set ENV=prod
```

## Run a subset of checks

Use `--check-paths` (`-cp`) to run **only specific checks**, identified by their YAML path. This is useful for targeted debugging of a single check.

```bash
soda data-standard verify -d datasource/db/schema/customers -ds ds_config.yml -sc sc_config.yml \
  -cp data-standard.pii_rules:columns.email.checks.missing
```

A dataset can have several standards active at the same time, so a check path names **which standard** the check belongs to as well as where it sits inside that standard:

```
data-standard.<standard name>:<path within the standard>
```

Pass several paths to run a subset that spans standards:

```bash
soda data-standard verify -d datasource/db/schema/customers -ds ds_config.yml -sc sc_config.yml \
  -cp data-standard.pii_rules:columns.email.checks.missing \
     data-standard.freshness_rules:columns.updated_at.checks.freshness
```

{% hint style="info" %}
**On Soda Cloud**, the check path of a given check is on the check page, in the check info panel.
{% endhint %}

Because `.` and `:` separate the parts of a check path, a Data Standard's **name** cannot contain either character.

## Command options

<table><thead><tr><th width="220">Option</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><code>--dataset</code>, <code>-d</code></td><td>A Soda Cloud dataset identifier. Fetches and verifies that dataset's active standards. Required.</td></tr><tr><td><code>--data-source</code>, <code>-ds</code></td><td>One or more data source configuration file paths. The first is treated as primary. Required.</td></tr><tr><td><code>--soda-cloud</code>, <code>-sc</code></td><td>Path to a Soda Cloud configuration file. Required.</td></tr><tr><td><code>--publish</code>, <code>-p</code></td><td>Send the verification results to Soda Cloud.</td></tr><tr><td><code>--set</code></td><td>Set a variable value, in the form <code>--set NAME=VALUE</code>. Repeatable.</td></tr><tr><td><code>--check-paths</code>, <code>-cp</code></td><td>One or more check paths to run a subset of the checks. Each path names its standard: <code>data-standard.&#x3C;name>:&#x3C;path></code>.</td></tr><tr><td><code>--diagnostics-warehouse</code>, <code>-dw</code></td><td>Path to a diagnostics warehouse configuration file.</td></tr><tr><td><code>--verbose</code>, <code>-v</code></td><td>Display detailed logs during execution.</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Next steps

* Review verification results across datasets: [Review results](/data-testing/data-standards/review-results.md)

***

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{% endhint %}
{% endif %}

{% if !(visitor.claims.plan === 'enterprise' || visitor.claims.plan === 'enterpriseUserBased' || visitor.claims.plan === 'datasetStandard') %}
{% hint style="info" %}
You are **not logged in to Soda** and are viewing the default public documentation. Learn more about [Documentation access & licensing](/reference/documentation-access-and-licensing.md).

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