Check a document

HEAD /{index}/_doc/{id}

Verify that a document exists. For example, check to see if a document with the _id 0 exists:

HEAD my-index-000001/_doc/0

If the document exists, the API returns a status code of 200 - OK. If the document doesn’t exist, the API returns 404 - Not Found.

Versioning support

You can use the version parameter to check the document only if its current version is equal to the specified one.

Internally, Elasticsearch has marked the old document as deleted and added an entirely new document. The old version of the document doesn't disappear immediately, although you won't be able to access it. Elasticsearch cleans up deleted documents in the background as you continue to index more data.

Path parameters

  • index string Required

    A comma-separated list of data streams, indices, and aliases. It supports wildcards (*).

  • id string Required

    A unique document identifier.

Query parameters

  • The node or shard the operation should be performed on. By default, the operation is randomized between the shard replicas.

    If it is set to _local, the operation will prefer to be run on a local allocated shard when possible. If it is set to a custom value, the value is used to guarantee that the same shards will be used for the same custom value. This can help with "jumping values" when hitting different shards in different refresh states. A sample value can be something like the web session ID or the user name.

  • realtime boolean

    If true, the request is real-time as opposed to near-real-time.

  • refresh boolean

    If true, the request refreshes the relevant shards before retrieving the document. Setting it to true should be done after careful thought and verification that this does not cause a heavy load on the system (and slow down indexing).

  • routing string

    A custom value used to route operations to a specific shard.

  • _source boolean | string | array[string]

    Indicates whether to return the _source field (true or false) or lists the fields to return.

  • _source_excludes string | array[string]

    A comma-separated list of source fields to exclude from the response. You can also use this parameter to exclude fields from the subset specified in _source_includes query parameter. If the _source parameter is false, this parameter is ignored.

  • _source_includes string | array[string]

    A comma-separated list of source fields to include in the response. If this parameter is specified, only these source fields are returned. You can exclude fields from this subset using the _source_excludes query parameter. If the _source parameter is false, this parameter is ignored.

  • stored_fields string | array[string]

    A comma-separated list of stored fields to return as part of a hit. If no fields are specified, no stored fields are included in the response. If this field is specified, the _source parameter defaults to false.

  • version number

    Explicit version number for concurrency control. The specified version must match the current version of the document for the request to succeed.

  • The version type.

    Values are internal, external, external_gte, or force.

Responses

HEAD /{index}/_doc/{id}
curl \
 -X HEAD http://api.example.com/{index}/_doc/{id}