Update nested object multiple fields

Question

I am trying to figure out how to update the fields nested in a child object within a document in mongodb, there doesnt seem to be a way to do it. Here's what I have.

This is an object. I want to update the fields description, amount and approved attributes

{
 "_id": "...",
 "transaction": {
 "amount": 1,
 "description": "Birthday Money",
 "approved": false,
 "child_id": "...",
 "user_id": "...",
 "_id": "..."
 }
}

I've tried pretty much everything using the $set, but most things will overwrite all fields in the transaction object except for the updated ones or set onto the main document (outside transaction).

I have an object data = { amount: 11, description: "new desc", approved: true }

how can I use the $set update object to update these fields and not destroying the other nested fields

Answer 1

Use dot notation:

db.test.update(
 {_id: '...'},
 {$set: {
 'transaction.amount' : 44,
 'transaction.approved' : true,
 'transaction.description': 'new stuff'
 }}
)

Do not forget multi if you want update many things.

• kschieck: Is there no other way of doing it? I may include some or all of those attributes.
• Salvador Dali: @kschieck What is wrong with this way? You can include only one attribute, or as many as you need. Also you can update fields not in transaction field as well.