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Is there a way to render Ansible template into the fact? I tried to find a solution but it looks like temp file is the the only way.

techraf
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kay
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1 Answers1

60

I think you might be just looking for the template lookup plugin:

- set_fact:
    rendered_template: "{{ lookup('template', './template.j2') }}"

Usage example:

  • template.j2

      Hello {{ value_for_template }}

  • playbook.yml

      ---
  - hosts: localhost
    gather_facts: no
    connection: local
    vars:
      value_for_template: world
    tasks:
      - debug:
          var: rendered_template
        vars:
          rendered_template: "{{ lookup('template', './template.j2') }}"

  • The result:

      TASK [debug] *******************************************************************
  ok: [localhost] => {
      "rendered_template": "Hello world\n"
  }
Thomas Decaux
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techraf
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    Up-to-date link to documentation: https://docs.ansible.com/ansible/latest/collections/ansible/builtin/template_lookup.html P.S. Can't edit post since 'Suggested edit queue is full' – user2988142 Aug 18 '22 at 11:44
  • This solution is not suitable for every use case, as set_facts doesn't change the variable value. So if another task depends on on a change, it will not run. – alixander Nov 22 '22 at 15:51