Trying to use IF for the first time, error found character '%' that cannot start any token

Configuration
1

So I am trying to update my switch so the vacuum cleaner wont empty the bin if it has already done so:

switch:
  - platform: template
    switches:
      stovsuge:
        friendly_name: "Hermann"
        value_template: "{{ is_state('vacuum.hermann', 'cleaning') }}"
        turn_on:
          service: vacuum.start
          data:
            entity_id: vacuum.hermann
        turn_off: 
        {% if is_state('vacuum.hermann', 'cleaning') %}
          service: vacuum.return_to_base
        {% else %}
          service: vacuum.stop
        {% endif %}
          data:
            entity_id: vacuum.hermann
        icon_template: mdi-robot-vacuum-variant

So the error is on the line where the {% if is_state is.

So this switch works great. When I active, it starts the vacuum. When I switch it off, it returns to dock and empties. But if it is already docked and emptied it will still try to empty, creating a lot of sound. So I tried to only make it return to dock if it is cleaning.

But am I using the IF incorrectly?

2

you’re using if correctly, but the whole template is in the wrong spot. You cannot template fields. You can only template inside a single field. Also, templates can only go inside fields that allow templates. Typically that’s denoted with the word template. In your case, you need to use the service_template field and the entire template needs to go under that field. Also, you need to let the field know it’s a multi-line template using the multi-line template identifier (>). Lastly, templates need to be indented when using multi-line templates.

        turn_off:
          service_template: >
            {% if is_state('vacuum.hermann', 'cleaning') %}
              vacuum.return_to_base
            {% else %}
              vacuum.stop
            {% endif %}
          data:
            entity_id: vacuum.hermann
3

Ahh, thank you so much, that fixed the errors! I will go and read up on service templates and where to use them as well.

4

Not much to read up on. They can only be used in place of ‘service’ fields in actions or scripts.