How to use Mongoose to populate array of arrays?

Question

var Stuff = new mongoose.Schema({
  name: String,
  expiration: Date,
  cost: Number
});

var Container = new mongoose.Schema({
  stuff: { type: String, ref: 'stuff' },
});

var ContainerWrapper = new mongoose.Schema({
  container: [[container]] // array of arrays
});

ContainerWrapper document

{
  container: [
    [
      {stuff: 'ID1'},
      {stuff: 'ID2'},
    ],
    [
      {stuff: 'ID3'},
      {stuff: 'ID4'},
      {stuff: 'ID5'},
    ]
  ]
}

How can I get the population of stuff? I've tried variations of the code below

ContainerWrapper.find({}).populate({path: 'container.stuff'})

But none seems to be working.

Any help is appreciated!

Can you give some actual data please?

Thomas Bormans
– Thomas Bormans

2017-02-01 08:58:47 +00:00
Commented Feb 1, 2017 at 8:58 — Thomas Bormans
– Thomas Bormans, Commented Feb 1, 2017 at 8:58
Updated question.

xiao
– xiao

2017-02-01 15:41:35 +00:00
Commented Feb 1, 2017 at 15:41 — xiao
– xiao, Commented Feb 1, 2017 at 15:41
I have added an answer. This might fix your problem.

Thomas Bormans
– Thomas Bormans

2017-02-01 16:00:10 +00:00
Commented Feb 1, 2017 at 16:00 — Thomas Bormans
– Thomas Bormans, Commented Feb 1, 2017 at 16:00

Thomas Bormans · Accepted Answer · 2017-02-01 15:59:57Z

2

You cannot use a regular populate, you will need a deep-populate. Here is some documentation.

ContainerWrapperModel
    .find()
    .lean()
    .populate({
        path: 'container',
        model: 'Container', 
        populate: {
            path: 'stuff',
            model: 'Stuff'
        }
    })
    .exec(function(err, data) {
        console.log(data);
    });

answered Feb 1, 2017 at 15:59

Thomas Bormans

5,4127 gold badges37 silver badges51 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

8 Comments

xiao Over a year ago

I will double check, but I do believe I've tried that too, and it did not work.

Thomas Bormans Over a year ago

@linxtion What is in your "data" when using my solution?

xiao Over a year ago

I get a { [CastError: Cast to ObjectId failed for value "{ stuff: 'SkpTCgxug' }" at path "_id"]

xiao Over a year ago

If I remove the extra wrapping array, and use populate('container.stuff') it works.

xiao Over a year ago

I'm probably just gonna go with using a single array, and manipulate the structure later.

|

Medet Tleukabiluly · Accepted Answer · 2017-02-01 09:15:29Z

Try this example below, should work, if not, comment below

ContainerWrapper
    .find({})
    .exec(function(err, data) {

        // get container ids
        // convert [[1, 2],['a', 'b', 'c']] into [1, 2, 'a', 'b', 'c']
        var containers = data.container.reduce(function(arr, next) {
            next.forEach(function(containerItem) {
                arr.push(containerItem);
            });
            return arr;
        }, []);

        // population options, try playin with other fields
        var options = {path: 'stuff', model: 'Contanier'};

        Container
            .populate(containers, options)
            .exec(function(containerErr, containerData) {

                // populated containers
                console.log(containerData);
            });
    });

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

How to use Mongoose to populate array of arrays?

2 Answers 2

8 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

8 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related