MongoDB query to update a MongoDB row with only the objectid

To update a MongoDB document using only its ObjectId, use the update() method with the _id field as the query filter and the $set operator to modify specific fields.

Syntax

db.collection.update(
    { "_id": ObjectId("objectid_value") },
    { $set: { "field1": "new_value1", "field2": "new_value2" } }
);

Sample Data

Let us create a collection with sample documents ?

db.demo34.insertMany([
    { "StudentFirstName": "Chris", "StudentAge": 24 },
    { "StudentFirstName": "David", "StudentAge": 23 },
    { "StudentFirstName": "Bob", "StudentAge": 20 }
]);

{
    "acknowledged": true,
    "insertedIds": [
        ObjectId("5e1758b4cfb11e5c34d898cd"),
        ObjectId("5e1758bdcfb11e5c34d898ce"),
        ObjectId("5e1758c6cfb11e5c34d898cf")
    ]
}

Display all documents from the collection ?

db.demo34.find();

{ "_id": ObjectId("5e1758b4cfb11e5c34d898cd"), "StudentFirstName": "Chris", "StudentAge": 24 }
{ "_id": ObjectId("5e1758bdcfb11e5c34d898ce"), "StudentFirstName": "David", "StudentAge": 23 }
{ "_id": ObjectId("5e1758c6cfb11e5c34d898cf"), "StudentFirstName": "Bob", "StudentAge": 20 }

Example: Update Document by ObjectId

Update the document with ObjectId 5e1758bdcfb11e5c34d898ce to change David's name to Mike and age to 19 ?

db.demo34.update(
    { "_id": ObjectId("5e1758bdcfb11e5c34d898ce") },
    { $set: { "StudentFirstName": "Mike", "StudentAge": 19 } }
);

WriteResult({ "nMatched": 1, "nUpserted": 0, "nModified": 1 })

Verify the Update

Display all documents to confirm the update ?

db.demo34.find();

{ "_id": ObjectId("5e1758b4cfb11e5c34d898cd"), "StudentFirstName": "Chris", "StudentAge": 24 }
{ "_id": ObjectId("5e1758bdcfb11e5c34d898ce"), "StudentFirstName": "Mike", "StudentAge": 19 }
{ "_id": ObjectId("5e1758c6cfb11e5c34d898cf"), "StudentFirstName": "Bob", "StudentAge": 20 }

Key Points

• The _id field is unique and provides the most efficient way to update a specific document.
• Use ObjectId("string") to convert the string representation to a proper ObjectId.
• The $set operator updates only the specified fields, leaving other fields unchanged.

Conclusion

Using the ObjectId with the update() method provides precise document targeting in MongoDB. The _id field ensures you update exactly the intended document without affecting others.