13 Most Common MongoDB Commands

As you get started with MongoDB, it will take some time to learn how to query, so we’ve compiled a list of the most common MongoDB commands and how they’re written.

As an alternative, we also show you how to run them – without typing a single line of code – using Studio 3T as a GUI.

1. MongoDB create database

There’s actually no command to do so – MongoDB automatically creates a database when a collection is created in it.

In Studio 3T: 

In the Connection Tree, right-click on the target server. Choose Add Database.

Name your database – and note the info message.

Click on OK.  Make sure to add a collection!

2. MongoDB drop database

Command: 

db.dropDatabase()

//drops the current database you're in

In Studio 3T: 

Let’s drop (or delete) the newly created database, manatee.

Right-click on the target database. Choose Drop Database.

Click Drop Database.

3. MongoDB show databases

Command:

db.adminCommand( { listDatabases: 1, nameOnly: true} )

// lists database names only

In Studio 3T:

No clicks needed here. You can view this information directly from the Connection Tree.

4. MongoDB show collections

Command:

db.getCollectionNames()

In Studio 3T:

In the Connection Tree, click on your target database.

Click on the Collections folder. This opens up the list of collections within that database.

5. MongoDB create collection

Command: 

db.createCollection("collectionName");

In Studio 3T:

Right-click on your target database. Choose Add Collection.

Enter a collection name and configure the settings as needed under the Options, Storage Engine, Validator, and Collation tabs.

Click Create.

6. MongoDB clear collection

Command: 

db.users.deleteMany({})

In Studio 3T: 

Right-click on your target collection. Choose Clear Collection.

Click on Clear Collection.

7. MongoDB drop collection

Command: 

db.collection_name.drop()

In Studio 3T: 

Right-click on a target collection. Choose Drop Collection.

Click Drop Collection.

8. MongoDB insert document

Command:

db.collectionName.insert({ field1: “value1”, field2: “value2” })

In Studio 3T: 

While in Table View or Tree View, right-click on any cell.

Choose Insert Document. This opens the Insert Document > JSON window.

Enter the key value pairs. There’s no need to create the _id field – MongoDB does this automatically.

Click on Add Document if adding one document, or Add & Continue if adding more documents.

9. MongoDB update document

Command:

db.collection.updateOne(<filter>, <update>, <options>)

In Studio 3T: 

Studio 3T supports in-place editing, so all you need to do double-click on a value to edit it.

Here’s the complete post on how MongoDB() update works in Studio 3T.

10. MongoDB remove document

Command:

db.collection.deleteOne()

In Studio 3T:

Right-click on your target document. Choose Remove Document.

Click on Remove Document again.

11. MongoDB add field

Command: 

{ $set: { <field1>: <value1>, ... } }

In Studio 3T:

Right-click on any cell while in Table View or Tree View. Go to Field > Add Field/Value.

• Enter a field name (e.g. favorite-color)
• Choose the right field type (e.g. String).
• Define the field value (e.g. green).
• Choose where to add the field to (e.g. Current document only).

Click on Add Field/Value.

12. MongoDB rename field

Command: 

db.<collection-name>.update({query}, {\$rename: { <field1> : <newName1> , <field2> : <newName2>}})

In Studio 3T: 

Let’s rename the field from favorite-color to color.

1. Right-click any cell that contains the field you want to rename.
2. Go to Field > Rename Field.
3. Update the field name.
4. Choose where the field name should be updated (e.g. All documents in collection).
5. Click Rename.

13. MongoDB remove field

Command: 

db.<collection-name>.update({}, {$unset: {<field1>:1}}, false, true);

In Studio 3T:

Let’s remove the color field entirely.

1. Right-click a cell with the field you want to delete.
2. Choose to remove the field from the current document, documents matching a query, or all documents.
3. Click Remove.