How can I update a single field in an array of embedded documents?

Question

I would like to update a field in an array of embedded documents.

My sample document is:

db.students.insert(
    {
        first_name:'AA',
        last_name:'BB',
        cours_reussis:[{intitule:'PAI',note:0,name_school:'EPFC'}]
    }
)

I'd like to change the value of name_school to "ENSA" instead of "EPFC".

Answer 1

Try this. It may need small modifications based on your other variables but I think this will work:

db.students.update(
   { first_name: 'AA' },
   { $set:
      {
        "cours_reussis.0.name_school": 'ENSA'
      }
   }
)

cours_reussis is an array. The 0 is the array index.

For your reference: $set

Answer 2

The answer from Kalhara is correct if you know the position of the embedded document in your array, however there is an alternative approach that can be used to update the first matching array element without knowing the position.

Assuming you update with a single array in your query criteria, the positional operator ($) can be used to refer to the matching array element:

db.students.update(
    // Match criteria
    {
        first_name: 'AA',
        last_name: 'BB',
        'cours_reussis.name_school': 'EPFC'
    },

    // Update first matching array element using the positional operator ($)
    {
        $set: {
            'cours_reussis.$.name_school': 'ENSA',
        }
    }
)

Answer 3

You can use this to update the first matching array element without knowing the index:

db.students.update(
    { first_name: 'AA',name_school:'EPFC' },
    { $set:
       {
         "cours_reussis.$.name_school": 'ENSA'
       }
    }
 )

Answer 4

You can use this to update the array element with some conditions and without knowing the index:

db.getCollection('profiles').update(
  {
    'userId':'4360a380-1540-45d9-b902-200f2d346263',
    'skills.name':'css'
  },
  {
      $set: {'skills.$.proficiencyLevel': 5}
  }, 
  {
      multi: true
  }
)