Update index

You can use the db.collection.updateSearchIndex() method to update a search index.

Warning

updateSearchIndex() replaces the index definition; it does not merge your changes into the existing one. Always submit the complete definition, including the fields you are not changing. Any field you omit is removed from the index.

You cannot rename an index with this method. To rename an index, drop it and create a new one with the desired name.

After you update an index, mongot rebuilds it in the background. The index continues to serve queries with the old definition until the rebuild completes. Use getSearchIndexes() to check the rebuild status.

Update a search index

Follow these steps to update a search index.

1. Update the search index.

   Syntax

   db.<collection>.updateSearchIndex(
     <name>,
     {
       <definition>
     }
   )
   

   updateSearchIndex() accepts these fields:

   Field	Type	Required	Description
   name	string	Required	Name of the index to update.
   definition	document	Required	The complete replacement definition for the index. This replaces the existing definition; it is not merged with it.

   Example

   Update search_idx to index only the text field

   db.docs.updateSearchIndex(
     "search_idx",
     {
       mappings: {
         dynamic: false,
         fields: {
           text: {
             type: "string"
           }
         }
       }
     }
   )
   

2. Check the index status.

   Syntax

   db.<collection>.getSearchIndexes(<name>)
   

   getSearchIndexes() accepts this field:

   Field	Type	Required	Description
   name	string	Optional	Name of a specific index to return. If omitted, returns all search indexes on the collection.

   Example

   Check the status of search_idx after the update

   db.docs.getSearchIndexes()
   

   Output:

   [
     {
       id: '6a5f4e46f961b92133ad8c73',
       name: 'search_idx',
       status: 'READY',
       queryable: true,
       latestDefinitionVersion: { version: 1, createdAt: ISODate('2026-07-21T10:48:12.000Z') },
       latestDefinition: { mappings: { dynamic: false, fields: { text: { type: 'string' } } } },
       statusDetail: [
         {
           hostname: '6a57ac86331e2c0925871f72',
           status: 'READY',
           queryable: true,
           mainIndex: {
             status: 'READY',
             queryable: true,
             definitionVersion: { version: 1, createdAt: ISODate('2026-07-21T10:48:12.000Z') },
             definition: {
               mappings: {
                 dynamic: false,
                 fields: {
                   text: {
                     type: 'string',
                     indexOptions: 'offsets',
                     store: true,
                     norms: 'include'
                   }
                 }
               }
             }
           }
         },
         {
           hostname: '6a57ac8646c3f951ee8ce224',
           status: 'READY',
           queryable: true,
           mainIndex: {
             status: 'READY',
             queryable: true,
             definitionVersion: { version: 1, createdAt: ISODate('2026-07-21T10:48:12.000Z') },
             definition: {
               mappings: {
                 dynamic: false,
                 fields: {
                   text: {
                     type: 'string',
                     indexOptions: 'offsets',
                     store: true,
                     norms: 'include'
                   }
                 }
               }
             }
           }
         }
       ]
     }
   ]
   

Next steps

Delete a search index