Delete a document

This documentation reflects client version 1.5.x. For 2.x documentation, refer to the client reference for Python, TypeScript, or Java.

Finds a single document in a collection using filter and sort clauses, and then deletes that document.

This method and the method to find and delete a document have the same database effect but differ in their return value. This method returns details about the success of the deletion. The method to find and delete a document returns the document that was found and deleted.

Method signature

  • Python

  • TypeScript

  • Java

  • curl

The following method belongs to the astrapy.Collection class.

delete_one(
  filter: Dict[str, Any],
  *,
  sort: Dict[str, Any],
  max_time_ms: int,
) -> DeleteResult

The following method belongs to the Collection class.

async deleteOne(
  filter: Filter<Schema>,
  options?: {
    sort?: Sort,
    maxTimeMS?: number,
  },
): DeleteOneResult

The following methods belong to the com.datastax.astra.client.Collection class.

DeleteResult deleteOne(
  Filter filter
)
DeleteResult deleteOne(
  Filter filter,
  DeleteOneOptions options
)
curl -sS -L -X POST "ASTRA_DB_API_ENDPOINT/api/json/v1/ASTRA_DB_KEYSPACE/COLLECTION_NAME" \
--header "Token: ASTRA_DB_APPLICATION_TOKEN" \
--header "Content-Type: application/json" \
--data '{
  "deleteOne": {
    "filter": FILTER,
    "sort": SORT
  }
}'

Result

  • Python

  • TypeScript

  • Java

  • curl

Deletes a document that matches the specified parameters and returns a DeleteResult object that includes details about the success of the operation.

Example response:

DeleteResult(deleted_count=1, raw_results=...)

Deletes a document that matches the specified parameters and returns a promise that resolves to a DeleteOneResult object that includes details about the success of the operation.

Example resolved response:

{ deletedCount: 1 }

Deletes a document that matches the specified parameters and returns DeleteResult, which includes the number of documents that were deleted.

Deletes a document that matches the specified parameters and returns an object that includes details about the number of documents that were deleted.

Example response:

{
  "status": {
    "deletedCount": 1
  }
}

Parameters

  • Python

  • TypeScript

  • Java

  • curl

Name Type Summary

filter

Dict[str, Any]

Optional. An object that defines filter criteria using the Data API filter syntax. The method only finds documents that match this filter criteria.

For a list of available filter operators and more examples, see Filter operators for collections.

Filters can use only indexed fields. If you apply selective indexing when you create a collection, you can’t reference non-indexed fields in a filter.

sort

Dict[str, Any]

Optional. Sorts documents by one or more fields, or performs a vector search.

For more information, see Sort clauses for collections.

Sort clauses can use only indexed fields. If you apply selective indexing when you create a collection, you can’t reference non-indexed fields in sort queries.

For vector searches, this parameter can use either $vector or $vectorize.

max_time_ms

int

Optional. The maximum time, in milliseconds, that the client should wait for the underlying HTTP request.

Default: The default value for the collection. This default is 30 seconds unless you specified a different default when you initialized the Collection object.
Name Type Summary

filter

Filter<Schema>

An object that defines filter criteria using the Data API filter syntax. The method only finds documents that match this filter criteria.

For a list of available filter operators and more examples, see Filter operators for collections.

Filters can use only indexed fields. If you apply selective indexing when you create a collection, you can’t reference non-indexed fields in a filter.

options

DeleteOneOptions

Optional. The options for this operation. See the options table for more details.
Properties of options
Name Type Summary

sort

Sort

Optional. Sorts documents by one or more fields, or performs a vector search.

For more information, see Sort clauses for collections.

Sort clauses can use only indexed fields. If you apply selective indexing when you create a collection, you can’t reference non-indexed fields in sort queries.

For vector searches, this parameter can use either $vector or $vectorize.

maxTimeMS

number

Optional. The maximum time, in milliseconds, that the client should wait for the underlying HTTP request.

Default: The default value for the collection. This default is 30 seconds unless you specified a different default when you initialized the Collection object.
Name Type Summary

filter

Filter

An object that defines filter criteria using the Data API filter syntax. The method only finds documents that match this filter criteria.

For a list of available filter operators and more examples, see Filter operators for collections.

Filters can use only indexed fields. If you apply selective indexing when you create a collection, you can’t reference non-indexed fields in a filter.

options

DeleteOneOptions

Optional. The options for this operation. See the methods of the `DeleteOneOptions ` class for more details.
Methods of the `DeleteOneOptions ` class:
Method Parameters Summary

sort()

float[] | String | Sort | Map<String, Object>

Optional. Sorts documents by one or more fields, or performs a vector search.

For more information, see Sort clauses for collections.

Sort clauses can use only indexed fields. If you apply selective indexing when you create a collection, you can’t reference non-indexed fields in sort queries.

For vector searches, this parameter can use either $vector or $vectorize.

Use the deleteOne command with these parameters:

Name Type Summary

filter

object

An object that defines filter criteria using the Data API filter syntax. The method only finds documents that match this filter criteria.

For a list of available filter operators and more examples, see Filter operators for collections.

Filters can use only indexed fields. If you apply selective indexing when you create a collection, you can’t reference non-indexed fields in a filter.

sort

object

Optional. Sorts documents by one or more fields, or performs a vector search.

For more information, see Sort clauses for collections.

Sort clauses can use only indexed fields. If you apply selective indexing when you create a collection, you can’t reference non-indexed fields in sort queries.

For vector searches, this parameter can use either $vector or $vectorize.

Examples

The following examples demonstrate how to delete a document in a collection.

Delete a document by ID

All documents have a unique _id property. You can use a filter to find a document with a specific _id, and then delete that document.

  • Python

  • TypeScript

  • Java

  • curl

from astrapy import DataAPIClient

# Get an existing collection
client = DataAPIClient("ASTRA_DB_APPLICATION_TOKEN")
database = client.get_database("ASTRA_DB_API_ENDPOINT")
collection = database.get_collection("COLLECTION_NAME")

# Delete a document
result = collection.delete_one(
    {"_id": "101"}
)

print(result)
import { DataAPIClient } from '@datastax/astra-db-ts';

// Get an existing collection
const client = new DataAPIClient('ASTRA_DB_APPLICATION_TOKEN');
const database = client.db('ASTRA_DB_API_ENDPOINT');
const collection = database.collection('COLLECTION_NAME');

// Delete a document
(async function () {
  const result = await collection.deleteOne(
    { _id: "101" }
  );

  console.log(result);
})();
package com.datastax.astra.client.collection;

import com.datastax.astra.client.Collection;
import com.datastax.astra.client.DataAPIClient;
import com.datastax.astra.client.model.Document;
import com.datastax.astra.client.model.Filter;
import com.datastax.astra.client.model.Filters;
import com.datastax.astra.client.model.DeleteResult;

public class DeleteOne {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // Get an existing collection
        Collection<Document> collection = new DataAPIClient("ASTRA_DB_APPLICATION_TOKEN")
            .getDatabase("ASTRA_DB_API_ENDPOINT")
            .getCollection("COLLECTION_NAME");

        // Delete a document
        Filter filter = Filters.eq("_id", "101");
        DeleteResult result = collection.deleteOne(filter);
        System.out.println(result.getDeletedCount());
    }
}
curl -sS -L -X POST "ASTRA_DB_API_ENDPOINT/api/json/v1/ASTRA_DB_KEYSPACE/ASTRA_DB_COLLECTION" \
--header "Token: ASTRA_DB_APPLICATION_TOKEN" \
--header "Content-Type: application/json" \
--data '{
  "deleteOne": {
    "filter": {
      "_id": "101"
    }
  }
}'

Delete a document that matches a filter

You can use a filter to find a document that matches specific criteria. For example, you can find a document with an isCheckedOut value of false and a numberOfPages value less than 300.

For a list of available filter operators and more examples, see Filter operators for collections.

Filters can use only indexed fields. If you apply selective indexing when you create a collection, you can’t reference non-indexed fields in a filter.

  • Python

  • TypeScript

  • Java

  • curl

from astrapy import DataAPIClient

# Get an existing collection
client = DataAPIClient("ASTRA_DB_APPLICATION_TOKEN")
database = client.get_database("ASTRA_DB_API_ENDPOINT")
collection = database.get_collection("COLLECTION_NAME")

# Delete a document
result = collection.delete_one(
    {
        "$and": [
            {"isCheckedOut": False},
            {"numberOfPages": {"$lt": 300}},
        ]
    }
)

print(result)
import { DataAPIClient } from '@datastax/astra-db-ts';

// Get an existing collection
const client = new DataAPIClient('ASTRA_DB_APPLICATION_TOKEN');
const database = client.db('ASTRA_DB_API_ENDPOINT');
const collection = database.collection('COLLECTION_NAME');

// Delete a document
(async function () {
  const result = await collection.deleteOne(
    {
      $and: [
        { isCheckedOut: false },
        { numberOfPages: { $lt: 300 } }
      ],
    }
  );

  console.log(result);
})();
package com.datastax.astra.client.collection;

import com.datastax.astra.client.Collection;
import com.datastax.astra.client.DataAPIClient;
import com.datastax.astra.client.model.Document;
import com.datastax.astra.client.model.Filter;
import com.datastax.astra.client.model.Filters;
import com.datastax.astra.client.model.DeleteResult;

public class DeleteOne {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // Get an existing collection
        Collection<Document> collection = new DataAPIClient("ASTRA_DB_APPLICATION_TOKEN")
            .getDatabase("ASTRA_DB_API_ENDPOINT")
            .getCollection("COLLECTION_NAME");

        // Delete a document
        Filter filter = Filters.and(
          Filters.eq("isCheckedOut", false),
          Filters.lt("numberOfPages", 300));
        DeleteResult result = collection.deleteOne(filter);
        System.out.println(result.getDeletedCount());
    }
}
curl -sS -L -X POST "ASTRA_DB_API_ENDPOINT/api/json/v1/ASTRA_DB_KEYSPACE/ASTRA_DB_COLLECTION" \
--header "Token: ASTRA_DB_APPLICATION_TOKEN" \
--header "Content-Type: application/json" \
--data '{
  "deleteOne": {
    "filter": {"$and": [
      {"isCheckedOut": false},
      {"numberOfPages": {"$lt": 300}}
    ]}
  }
}'

Delete a document that is most similar to a search vector

To find the document whose $vector value is most similar to a given vector, use a sort with the vector embeddings that you want to match. For more information, see Perform a vector search.

Vector search is only available for vector-enabled collections. For more information, see $vector and $vectorize in collections.

  • Python

  • TypeScript

  • Java

  • curl

from astrapy import DataAPIClient

# Get an existing collection
client = DataAPIClient("ASTRA_DB_APPLICATION_TOKEN")
database = client.get_database("ASTRA_DB_API_ENDPOINT")
collection = database.get_collection("COLLECTION_NAME")

# Delete a document
result = collection.delete_one(
    {},
    sort={"$vector": [0.1, 0.2, 0.3]},
)

print(result)
import { DataAPIClient } from '@datastax/astra-db-ts';

// Get an existing collection
const client = new DataAPIClient('ASTRA_DB_APPLICATION_TOKEN');
const database = client.db('ASTRA_DB_API_ENDPOINT');
const collection = database.collection('COLLECTION_NAME');

// Delete a document
(async function () {
  const result = await collection.deleteOne(
    {},
    { sort: { $vector: [0.1, 0.2, 0.3] } },
  );

  console.log(result);
})();
package com.datastax.astra.client.collection;

import com.datastax.astra.client.Collection;
import com.datastax.astra.client.DataAPIClient;
import com.datastax.astra.client.model.Document;
import com.datastax.astra.client.model.Filter;
import com.datastax.astra.client.model.Filters;
import com.datastax.astra.client.model.DeleteOneOptions;
import com.datastax.astra.client.model.DeleteResult;

public class DeleteOne {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // Get an existing collection
        Collection<Document> collection = new DataAPIClient("ASTRA_DB_APPLICATION_TOKEN")
            .getDatabase("ASTRA_DB_API_ENDPOINT")
            .getCollection("COLLECTION_NAME");

        // Delete a document
        Filter filter = new Filter();
        DeleteOneOptions options = new DeleteOneOptions()
            .sort(new float[] {0.12f, 0.52f, 0.32f});
        DeleteResult result = collection.deleteOne(filter, options);
        System.out.println(result.getDeletedCount());
    }
}
curl -sS -L -X POST "ASTRA_DB_API_ENDPOINT/api/json/v1/ASTRA_DB_KEYSPACE/ASTRA_DB_COLLECTION" \
--header "Token: ASTRA_DB_APPLICATION_TOKEN" \
--header "Content-Type: application/json" \
--data '{
  "deleteOne": {
    "filter": {},
    "sort": {
      "$vector": [0.1, 0.2, 0.3]
    }
  }
}'

Delete a document that is most similar to a search string

To find the document whose $vector value is most similar to the $vector value of a given search string, use a sort with the search string that you want to vectorize and match. For more information, see Perform a vector search.

Vector search with vectorize is only available for collections that have vectorize enabled. For more information, see $vector and $vectorize in collections.

  • Python

  • TypeScript

  • Java

  • curl

from astrapy import DataAPIClient

# Get an existing collection
client = DataAPIClient("ASTRA_DB_APPLICATION_TOKEN")
database = client.get_database("ASTRA_DB_API_ENDPOINT")
collection = database.get_collection("COLLECTION_NAME")

# Delete a document
result = collection.delete_one(
    {},
    sort={"$vectorize": "Text to vectorize"}
)

print(result)
import { DataAPIClient } from '@datastax/astra-db-ts';

// Get an existing collection
const client = new DataAPIClient('ASTRA_DB_APPLICATION_TOKEN');
const database = client.db('ASTRA_DB_API_ENDPOINT');
const collection = database.collection('COLLECTION_NAME');

// Delete a document
(async function () {
  const result = await collection.deleteOne(
    {},
    { sort: { $vectorize: "Text to vectorize" } }
  );

  console.log(result);
})();
package com.datastax.astra.client.collection;

import com.datastax.astra.client.Collection;
import com.datastax.astra.client.DataAPIClient;
import com.datastax.astra.client.model.Document;
import com.datastax.astra.client.model.Filter;
import com.datastax.astra.client.model.Filters;
import com.datastax.astra.client.model.DeleteOneOptions;
import com.datastax.astra.client.model.DeleteResult;

public class DeleteOne {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // Get an existing collection
        Collection<Document> collection = new DataAPIClient("ASTRA_DB_APPLICATION_TOKEN")
            .getDatabase("ASTRA_DB_API_ENDPOINT")
            .getCollection("COLLECTION_NAME");

        // Delete a document
        Filter filter = new Filter();
        DeleteOneOptions options = new DeleteOneOptions()
            .sort("Text to vectorize");
        DeleteResult result = collection.deleteOne(filter, options);
        System.out.println(result.getDeletedCount());
    }
}
curl -sS -L -X POST "ASTRA_DB_API_ENDPOINT/api/json/v1/ASTRA_DB_KEYSPACE/ASTRA_DB_COLLECTION" \
--header "Token: ASTRA_DB_APPLICATION_TOKEN" \
--header "Content-Type: application/json" \
--data '{
  "deleteOne": {
    "filter": {},
    "sort": { "$vectorize": "Text to vectorize" }
  }
}'

Delete a document after applying a non-vector sort

You can use a sort clause to sort documents by one or more fields.

For more information, see Sort clauses for collections.

Sort clauses can use only indexed fields. If you apply selective indexing when you create a collection, you can’t reference non-indexed fields in sort queries.

  • Python

  • TypeScript

  • Java

  • curl

from astrapy import DataAPIClient
from astrapy.constants import SortDocuments

# Get an existing collection
client = DataAPIClient("ASTRA_DB_APPLICATION_TOKEN")
database = client.get_database("ASTRA_DB_API_ENDPOINT")
collection = database.get_collection("COLLECTION_NAME")

# Find a document
result = collection.delete_one(
    {"metadata.language": "English"},
    sort={
        "rating": SortDocuments.ASCENDING,
        "title": SortDocuments.DESCENDING,
    }
)

print(result)
import { DataAPIClient } from '@datastax/astra-db-ts';

// Get an existing collection
const client = new DataAPIClient('ASTRA_DB_APPLICATION_TOKEN');
const database = client.db('ASTRA_DB_API_ENDPOINT');
const collection = database.collection('COLLECTION_NAME');

// Find a document
(async function () {
  const result = await collection.deleteOne(
    { "metadata.language": "English" },
    { sort: {
      rating: 1, // ascending
      title: -1 // descending
    } }
  );

  console.log(result);
})();
package com.datastax.astra.client.collection;

import com.datastax.astra.client.Collection;
import com.datastax.astra.client.DataAPIClient;
import com.datastax.astra.client.model.Document;
import com.datastax.astra.client.model.Filter;
import com.datastax.astra.client.model.Filters;
import com.datastax.astra.client.model.DeleteOneOptions;

public class DeleteOne {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // Get an existing collection
        Collection<Document> collection = new DataAPIClient("ASTRA_DB_APPLICATION_TOKEN")
            .getDatabase("ASTRA_DB_API_ENDPOINT")
            .getCollection("COLLECTION_NAME");

        // Delete a document
        Filter filter = Filters.and(
          Filters.eq("isCheckedOut", false),
          Filters.lt("numberOfPages", 300));
        DeleteOneOptions options = new DeleteOneOptions()
            .sort(Sorts.ascending("rating"))
            .sort(Sorts.descending("title"));
        DeleteResult result = collection.deleteOne(filter, options);
        System.out.println(result.getDeletedCount());
    }
}
curl -sS -L -X POST "ASTRA_DB_API_ENDPOINT/api/json/v1/ASTRA_DB_KEYSPACE/ASTRA_DB_COLLECTION" \
--header "Token: ASTRA_DB_APPLICATION_TOKEN" \
--header "Content-Type: application/json" \
--data '{
  "deleteOne": {
    "filter": { "metadata.language": "English" },
    "sort": {
      "rating": 1,
      "title": -1
    }
  }
}'

Client reference

  • Python

  • TypeScript

  • Java

  • curl

For more information, see the client reference.

For more information, see the client reference.

For more information, see the client reference.

Client reference documentation is not applicable for HTTP.

Was this helpful?

Give Feedback

How can we improve the documentation?

© 2025 DataStax | Privacy policy | Terms of use | Manage Privacy Choices

Apache, Apache Cassandra, Cassandra, Apache Tomcat, Tomcat, Apache Lucene, Apache Solr, Apache Hadoop, Hadoop, Apache Pulsar, Pulsar, Apache Spark, Spark, Apache TinkerPop, TinkerPop, Apache Kafka and Kafka are either registered trademarks or trademarks of the Apache Software Foundation or its subsidiaries in Canada, the United States and/or other countries. Kubernetes is the registered trademark of the Linux Foundation.

General Inquiries: +1 (650) 389-6000, info@datastax.com