Update field mappings

POST /{index}/_mapping
Api key auth

Add new fields to an existing data stream or index. You can also use this API to change the search settings of existing fields and add new properties to existing object fields. For data streams, these changes are applied to all backing indices by default.

Add multi-fields to an existing field

Multi-fields let you index the same field in different ways. You can use this API to update the fields mapping parameter and enable multi-fields for an existing field. WARNING: If an index (or data stream) contains documents when you add a multi-field, those documents will not have values for the new multi-field. You can populate the new multi-field with the update by query API.

Change supported mapping parameters for an existing field

The documentation for each mapping parameter indicates whether you can update it for an existing field using this API. For example, you can use the update mapping API to update the ignore_above parameter.

Change the mapping of an existing field

Except for supported mapping parameters, you can't change the mapping or field type of an existing field. Changing an existing field could invalidate data that's already indexed.

If you need to change the mapping of a field in a data stream's backing indices, refer to documentation about modifying data streams. If you need to change the mapping of a field in other indices, create a new index with the correct mapping and reindex your data into that index.

Rename a field

Renaming a field would invalidate data already indexed under the old field name. Instead, add an alias field to create an alternate field name.

External documentation

Path parameters

  • index string | array[string] Required

    A comma-separated list of index names the mapping should be added to (supports wildcards); use _all or omit to add the mapping on all indices.

Query parameters

  • allow_no_indices boolean

    If false, the request returns an error if any wildcard expression, index alias, or _all value targets only missing or closed indices. This behavior applies even if the request targets other open indices.

  • expand_wildcards string | array[string]

    Type of index that wildcard patterns can match. If the request can target data streams, this argument determines whether wildcard expressions match hidden data streams. Supports comma-separated values, such as open,hidden. Valid values are: all, open, closed, hidden, none.

  • ignore_unavailable boolean

    If false, the request returns an error if it targets a missing or closed index.

  • master_timeout string

    Period to wait for a connection to the master node. If no response is received before the timeout expires, the request fails and returns an error.

  • timeout string

    Period to wait for a response. If no response is received before the timeout expires, the request fails and returns an error.

  • write_index_only boolean

    If true, the mappings are applied only to the current write index for the target.

application/json

Body Required

  • date_detection boolean

    Controls whether dynamic date detection is enabled.

  • dynamic string

    Values are strict, runtime, true, or false.

  • dynamic_date_formats array[string]

    If date detection is enabled then new string fields are checked against 'dynamic_date_formats' and if the value matches then a new date field is added instead of string.

  • dynamic_templates array[object]

    Specify dynamic templates for the mapping.

  • _field_names object
    Hide _field_names attribute Show _field_names attribute object
  • _meta object
    Hide _meta attribute Show _meta attribute object
    • * object Additional properties
  • numeric_detection boolean

    Automatically map strings into numeric data types for all fields.

  • properties object

    Mapping for a field. For new fields, this mapping can include:

    • Field name
    • Field data type
    • Mapping parameters
  • _routing object
    Hide _routing attribute Show _routing attribute object
  • _source object
    Hide _source attributes Show _source attributes object
  • runtime object
    Hide runtime attribute Show runtime attribute object
    • * object Additional properties
      Hide * attributes Show * attributes object
      • fields object

        For type composite

        Hide fields attribute Show fields attribute object
        • * object Additional properties
          Hide * attribute Show * attribute object
          • type string Required

            Values are boolean, composite, date, double, geo_point, geo_shape, ip, keyword, long, or lookup.

      • fetch_fields array[object]

        For type lookup

        Hide fetch_fields attributes Show fetch_fields attributes object
        • field string Required

          Path to field or array of paths. Some API's support wildcards in the path to select multiple fields.

        • format string
      • format string

        A custom format for date type runtime fields.

      • input_field string

        Path to field or array of paths. Some API's support wildcards in the path to select multiple fields.

      • target_field string

        Path to field or array of paths. Some API's support wildcards in the path to select multiple fields.

      • target_index string
      • script object
        Hide script attributes Show script attributes object
      • type string Required

        Values are boolean, composite, date, double, geo_point, geo_shape, ip, keyword, long, or lookup.

Responses

  • 200 application/json
    Hide response attributes Show response attributes object
POST /{index}/_mapping 
curl \
 --request POST 'http://api.example.com/{index}/_mapping' \
 --header "Authorization: $API_KEY" \
 --header "Content-Type: application/json" \
 --data '"{\n  \"properties\": {\n    \"user\": {\n      \"properties\": {\n        \"name\": {\n          \"type\": \"keyword\"\n        }\n      }\n    }\n  }\n}"'
Request example
The update mapping API can be applied to multiple data streams or indices with a single request. For example, run `PUT /my-index-000001,my-index-000002/_mapping` to update mappings for the `my-index-000001` and `my-index-000002` indices at the same time. 
{
  "properties": {
    "user": {
      "properties": {
        "name": {
          "type": "keyword"
        }
      }
    }
  }
}