In the excitation spectra of $YNbO_4$ : $Eu^{3+}$, the charge transfer (CT) band around 270 nm due to $[NbO_4]^{3-}$$-Eu^{3+}$ interaction and sharp excitation peaks by f-f transition of $Eu^{3+}$ strongly appeared simultaneously. CT band depended on the structural properties of powders, showing the red-shift with increasing the crystallinity, while the f-f transition peaks were independent of the crystallinity. For $YNb_{1-x}Ta_xO_4$ : $Eu^{3+}$ (x = 0.05.0.2), $[TaO_4]^{3-}$. configuration was locally constructed, leading to the blue-shift in CT band and the decrease in the red emission intensity with increasing the Ta content.??