20.3.3.2 Working with Collections

Use the add() method to insert one document or a list of documents into an existing collection. Insert the following document into the countryinfo collection. As this is multi-line content, press Enter twice to insert the document.

mysql-js> db.countryinfo.add(
 {
    GNP: .6,
    IndepYear: 1967,
    Name: "Sealand",
    demographics: {
        LifeExpectancy: 79,
        Population: 27
    },
    geography: {
        Continent: "Europe",
        Region: "British Islands",
        SurfaceArea: 193
    },
    government: {
        GovernmentForm: "Monarchy",
        HeadOfState: "Michael Bates"
    }
  }
)

The method returns the status of the operation.

Each document requires an _id identifier field, and the value must be unique among all documents in the same collection. In MySQL 8.0.11 and higher, document IDs are generated by the server, not the client, so MySQL Shell does not automatically set an _id value. A MySQL server at 8.0.11 or higher sets an _id value if the document does not contain the _id field. A MySQL server at an earlier 8.0 release or at 5.7 does not set an _id value in this situation, so you must specify it explicitly. If you do not, MySQL Shell returns error 5115 Document is missing a required field.