Can MongoDB find() function display avoiding _id?

Yes, MongoDB find() function can display results while excluding the _id field by using projection. Set _id: 0 in the projection parameter to hide it from the output.

Syntax

db.collectionName.find({}, { _id: 0 });

Sample Data

Let us first create a collection with sample documents ?

db.excludeIdDemo.insertMany([
    { "CustomerName": "Larry" },
    { "CustomerName": "Chris" },
    { "CustomerName": "Mike" },
    { "CustomerName": "Bob" }
]);

{
    "acknowledged": true,
    "insertedIds": [
        ObjectId("5cd7f62c1a844af18acdffb9"),
        ObjectId("5cd7f6311a844af18acdffba"),
        ObjectId("5cd7f6351a844af18acdffbb"),
        ObjectId("5cd7f6381a844af18acdffbc")
    ]
}

Example 1: Default find() with _id

Display all documents using the default find() method ?

db.excludeIdDemo.find();

{ "_id": ObjectId("5cd7f62c1a844af18acdffb9"), "CustomerName": "Larry" }
{ "_id": ObjectId("5cd7f6311a844af18acdffba"), "CustomerName": "Chris" }
{ "_id": ObjectId("5cd7f6351a844af18acdffbb"), "CustomerName": "Mike" }
{ "_id": ObjectId("5cd7f6381a844af18acdffbc"), "CustomerName": "Bob" }

Example 2: Exclude _id from Results

Use projection to exclude the _id field from the output ?

db.excludeIdDemo.find({}, { _id: 0 });

{ "CustomerName": "Larry" }
{ "CustomerName": "Chris" }
{ "CustomerName": "Mike" }
{ "CustomerName": "Bob" }

Key Points

• The _id field is included by default in all MongoDB query results.
• Use { _id: 0 } in the projection parameter to exclude it.
• You can combine _id: 0 with other field projections for selective output.

Conclusion

MongoDB find() excludes the _id field by setting _id: 0 in the projection parameter. This is useful when you only need the actual data fields without the auto-generated identifier.