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MongoDB $arrayElemAt Operator - GeeksforGeeks

Last Updated : 15 Jul, 2025

MongoDB is a widely used NoSQL database known for its flexible data model. One of the essential features of MongoDB is its support for array data types. The $arrayElemAt operator is a key part of MongoDB's aggregation framework, enabling developers to retrieve specific elements from arrays. Whether we need to access the first, last, or an arbitrary element, $arrayElemAt provides an efficient way to manipulate array data in MongoDB.

The $arrayElemAt operator allows us to retrieve an element from an array at a specified index. It is often used within the aggregation pipeline to transform and manipulate data efficiently. The operator is particularly useful when we need to work with large datasets containing arrays and need to extract a specific value without looping over the entire array.

Syntax: 

{ $arrayElemAt: [ <array>, <index> ] }

Key Terms

• <array>: An array or an expression that resolves to an array.
• <index>: The index of the element to retrieve. It can be a positive or negative integer.

• Positive Index: If the index is positive, $arrayElemAt will retrieve the element starting from the beginning of the array.
  
• Negative Index: If the index is negative, $arrayElemAt counts backward from the end of the array.
  
• Out-of-Bounds Index: If the index exceeds the array bounds, the operator will return null

The $arrayElemAt operator can be applied in various scenarios, especially when we need to retrieve specific data from arrays. Below are some common use cases:

We can easily fetch the first or last item from an array by specifying index 0 or -1, respectively.

When working with large arrays, we may only need to retrieve an element from a particular position. The $arrayElemAt operator makes this possible.

MongoDB allows arrays within embedded documents. The $arrayElemAt operator can be used to retrieve elements from arrays within these embedded structures.

To understand the MongoDB $arrayElemAt we will consider below collection called arrayExample and performs various queries on it for better understanding.

In this example, we are going to find the elements of the array(i.e., the value of fruits field) on the specified index using $arrayElemAt operator. 

Query:

db.arrayExample.aggregate([
  { $match: { name: "Bongo" } },
  { $project: {
      firstItem: { $arrayElemAt: ["$fruits", 0] },
      lastItem: { $arrayElemAt: ["$fruits", -1] }
    }
  }
])

Output:

• The $arrayElemAt operator is used to extract the first and last elements of the fruits array.
  
• The element at index 0 is "Apple", and the element at index -1 (last element) is "Orange".

In this example, we are going to find the elements from the outdoorGames array, which is inside the embedded document favGame, for a document with name: "Piku" using $arrayElemAt operator. 

Query:

db.arrayExample.aggregate([
... {$match: {name: "Piku"}},
... {$project: {
... firstItem: {$arrayElemAt: ["$favGame.outdoorGames", 0]},
... item: {$arrayElemAt: ["$favGame.outdoorGames", 2]}}}])

Output:

Here, $arrayElemAt is used to extract the first item ("Football") and the third item (index 2, "Cricket") from the outdoorGames array inside the favGame embedded document.

When working with the $arrayElemAt operator, it's important to follow best practices to ensure efficiency and correctness:

• Always verify that the index is valid. If the index exceeds the array length, MongoDB will return null.
• Use the $size operator to dynamically calculate the array length if needed.

The operator is most commonly used in the aggregation pipeline stages like $project, $addFields, or $group to transform data.

Combine $arrayElemAt with other aggregation operators like $ifNull, $cond, and $size to handle edge cases such as missing or empty arrays.

Although $arrayElemAt is efficient, use it carefully in complex queries to avoid performance degradation, especially with large datasets. Ensure that your queries are optimized and that unnecessary use of the operator does not hinder query performance.

The $arrayElemAt operator in MongoDB's aggregation framework is a handy tool for accessing elements within arrays in your documents. Whether we need to retrieve the first, last, or any other element at a specific index, this operator provides a flexible and efficient way to work with array data. By understanding its syntax and common use cases, we can easily incorporate this operator into our MongoDB queries and aggregations to manipulate array data with precision.

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