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How to Copy Mapping from One Index to Another in Elasticsearch

Anastasios Antoniadis

Share on X (Twitter) Share on Facebook Share on Pinterest Share on LinkedInIn Elasticsearch, an index’s mapping defines the schema for the documents stored within that index. This schema specifies how documents are indexed and stored, including settings for fields, data types, and other configurations that affect search and analysis. There may be scenarios where …

Elasticsearch

In Elasticsearch, an index’s mapping defines the schema for the documents stored within that index. This schema specifies how documents are indexed and stored, including settings for fields, data types, and other configurations that affect search and analysis. There may be scenarios where you need to replicate the mapping from one index to another, such as when creating a new index with similar data structures or migrating data. This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to copy mapping from one index to another in Elasticsearch, ensuring a smooth and efficient process.

Step 1: Retrieve the Current Mapping

The first step in copying a mapping from one index to another is to retrieve the current mapping of the source index. You can do this using the Get Mapping API. Replace source_index with the name of your source index:

GET /source_index/_mapping

This request will return the mapping of the source_index. The response includes the field definitions and their data types, along with other mapping configurations.

Step 2: Create a New Index with the Retrieved Mapping

Once you have the mapping from the source index, the next step is to create a new index and apply the retrieved mapping. You’ll need to format the mapping data correctly to use it in the Create Index API request.

Suppose the Get Mapping API returned the following mapping for the source index:

{
  "source_index": {
    "mappings": {
      "properties": {
        "field1": {
          "type": "text"
        },
        "field2": {
          "type": "date"
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

You can then use the mappings object to create a new index with the same mapping. Replace new_index with the name of your target index:

PUT /new_index
{
  "mappings": {
    "properties": {
      "field1": {
        "type": "text"
      },
      "field2": {
        "type": "date"
      }
    }
  }
}

This request creates a new index named new_index with the same mapping as source_index.

Step 3: Validate the New Index Mapping

After creating the new index with the copied mapping, it’s a good practice to validate that the mapping was applied correctly. Use the Get Mapping API again to retrieve the mapping of the newly created index and verify its structure:

GET /new_index/_mapping

Ensure that the mapping response matches the expected structure you copied from the source index.

Tips for Copying Mappings

  • Automate with Scripts: For frequent operations, consider automating the process with scripts using Elasticsearch’s client libraries (e.g., Python, Java) or shell scripts with curl commands.
  • Version Compatibility: Ensure compatibility between Elasticsearch versions if you’re migrating mappings between different clusters. Some mapping parameters may have changed or been deprecated in newer versions.
  • Dynamic Templates: If your indices use dynamic templates for mapping generation, ensure these templates are also replicated or defined in the new index to maintain consistent behavior.
  • Review and Customize: Before finalizing the new index, review the copied mapping to ensure it fits the new index’s requirements. You might want to adjust settings, add new fields, or modify analyzers as needed for the new use case.

Conclusion

Copying mappings from one index to another in Elasticsearch is a straightforward process that involves retrieving the existing mapping, creating a new index with that mapping, and validating the operation’s success. This capability is particularly useful for replicating data structures, migrating data, or standardizing index configurations across your Elasticsearch environment. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can efficiently manage index mappings and ensure consistency in how your data is indexed and stored in Elasticsearch.

Anastasios Antoniadis
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