Remove items by attribute test: rejectattr

The rejectattr filter is the opposite of selectattr. It iterates over a list of objects and removes those where a specified attribute passes the given test, keeping only those that fail it.

This is useful when you want to exclude entitiesAn entity represents a sensor, actor, or function in Home Assistant. Entities are used to monitor physical properties or to control other entities. An entity is usually part of a device or a service. [Learn more] based on an attribute rather than select them. For example, you might want to remove all unavailable entities from a list, exclude entities that are off, or filter out sensors with a specific device class. It provides a cleaner, more readable alternative to writing selectattr with a negated condition.

Usage

Here’s how to use this template function. Copy any example and adjust it to your setup.

As a filter
{{ expand("group.all_lights")
  | rejectattr("state", "eq", "off")
  | map(attribute="entity_id")
  | list
}}
Result (listAn ordered collection of values, like a list of entity IDs or a list of numbers. Written with square brackets in templates, for example [1, 2, 3].)
["light.kitchen", "light.living_room"]

Function signature

The signature is a technical summary of this template function. It shows the name of the function, the values (called parameters) it accepts, and what type of data each parameter expects (for example, a piece of text or a number).

Function parameters that have a = with a value after them are optional. If you leave them out, the default value shown is used automatically. Function parameters without a default are required.

rejectattr(
    value: list,
    attribute: str,
    *args: str,
) -> iterable

Function parameters

The following parameters can be provided to this filter.

value list Required

The list of objects to filter.

attribute string Required

The attribute to test on each item. Supports dotted notation for nested attributes (for example, attributes.device_class).

args string (Optional)

The test name and optional arguments. If only an attribute is provided (no test), items are removed when the attribute is truthy. Common tests include eq, ne, gt, lt, contains, and in.

Reject by truthiness

When no test is specified, items are removed if the attribute value is truthy.

TemplateA template is an automation definition that can include variables for the action or data from the trigger values. This allows automations to generate dynamic actions. [Learn more]: Lights without a brightness value set
{{
  expand("group.all_lights")
  | rejectattr("attributes.brightness")
  | map(attribute="entity_id")
  | list
}}
Result (listAn ordered collection of values, like a list of entity IDs or a list of numbers. Written with square brackets in templates, for example [1, 2, 3].)
["light.hall", "light.porch"]

Good to know

  • Returns an iterable, not a list. Add | list before using it with length, first, or looping twice.
  • Without a test, items are removed when the attribute is truthy.
  • Numeric comparisons against state strings compare alphabetically unless you convert first. "9" is greater than "10" as strings.

Try it yourself

Ready to test this? Open Developer tools > Template, paste the example into the Template editor, and watch the result update on the right. Edit the values to see how the function adapts to your own entitiesAn entity represents a sensor, actor, or function in Home Assistant. Entities are used to monitor physical properties or to control other entities. An entity is usually part of a device or a service. [Learn more].

More examples

Real scenarios where this function comes up in automations and templates. Copy any example and adapt it to your setup.

Exclude unavailable entities

Remove entities that are unavailable or unknown before processing.

TemplateA template is an automation definition that can include variables for the action or data from the trigger values. This allows automations to generate dynamic actions. [Learn more]: Only available sensors
{{
  expand("group.all_sensors")
  | rejectattr("state", "in", ["unavailable", "unknown"])
  | map(attribute="entity_id")
  | list
}}
Result (listAn ordered collection of values, like a list of entity IDs or a list of numbers. Written with square brackets in templates, for example [1, 2, 3].)
["sensor.temperature", "sensor.humidity", "sensor.pressure"]

Remove entities that are off

Keep only entities that are not in the “off” state.

TemplateA template is an automation definition that can include variables for the action or data from the trigger values. This allows automations to generate dynamic actions. [Learn more]
{{
  expand("group.all_lights")
  | rejectattr("state", "eq", "off")
  | map(attribute="name")
  | join(", ")
}}
Result (stringA piece of text, like a name, message, or entity ID. In templates, wrap strings in quotes, like "living_room" or "lights are on".)
Kitchen light, Living room light

Exclude a specific device class

Remove sensors of a particular device class from a collection.

TemplateA template is an automation definition that can include variables for the action or data from the trigger values. This allows automations to generate dynamic actions. [Learn more]: All sensors except battery sensors
{{
  expand("group.all_sensors")
  | rejectattr("attributes.device_class", "eq", "battery")
  | map(attribute="entity_id")
  | list
}}
Result (listAn ordered collection of values, like a list of entity IDs or a list of numbers. Written with square brackets in templates, for example [1, 2, 3].)
["sensor.temperature", "sensor.humidity", "sensor.pressure"]

Chain rejectattr with selectattr

Combine both filters to precisely control which entities are included.

TemplateA template is an automation definition that can include variables for the action or data from the trigger values. This allows automations to generate dynamic actions. [Learn more]: Average temperature excluding unavailable sensors
{{
  expand("group.all_sensors")
  | rejectattr("state", "in", ["unavailable", "unknown"])
  | selectattr("attributes.device_class", "eq", "temperature")
  | map(attribute="state")
  | map("float")
  | average
  | round(1)
}}
Result (floatA number that can have decimal places, like 21.5 or 3.14. Used for temperatures, percentages, and other measurements that need precision.)
21.2

Still stuck?

The Home Assistant community is quick to help: join Discord for real-time chat, post on the community forum with your template and expected result, or share on our subreddit /r/homeassistant.

Tip

AI assistants like ChatGPT or Claude can also explain or fix templates when you describe what you want in plain language.

Related template functions

These functions work well alongside this one: