---
title: 'Working with scalar lists'
metaTitle: 'Working with scalar lists/arrays (Concepts)'
metaDescription: 'How to read, write, and filter by scalar lists / arrays.'
tocDepth: 3
---

<TopBlock>

[Scalar lists](/orm/reference/prisma-schema-reference#-modifier) are represented by the `[]` modifier and are only available if the underlying database supports scalar lists. The following example has one scalar `String` list named `pets`:

<TabbedContent code>
<TabItem value="Relational databases">

```prisma highlight=4;normal
model User {
  id   Int      @id @default(autoincrement())
  name String
  //highlight-next-line
  pets String[]
}
```

</TabItem>
<TabItem value="MongoDB">

```prisma highlight=4;normal
model User {
  id   String   @id @default(auto()) @map("_id") @db.ObjectId
  name String
  //highlight-next-line
  pets String[]
}
```

</TabItem>
</TabbedContent>

Example field value:

```json5
['Fido', 'Snoopy', 'Brian']
```

</TopBlock>

## Setting the value of a scalar list

The following example demonstrates how to [`set`](/orm/reference/prisma-client-reference#set-1) the value of a scalar list (`coinflips`) when you create a model:

```ts
const createdUser = await prisma.user.create({
  data: {
    email: 'eloise@prisma.io',
    coinflips: [true, true, true, false, true],
  },
})
```

## Unsetting the value of a scalar list

:::warning

This method is available on MongoDB only in versions
[3.11.1](https://github.com/prisma/prisma/releases/tag/3.11.1) and later.

:::

The following example demonstrates how to [`unset`](/orm/reference/prisma-client-reference#unset) the value of a scalar list (`coinflips`):

```ts
const createdUser = await prisma.user.create({
  data: {
    email: 'eloise@prisma.io',
    coinflips: {
      unset: true,
    },
  },
})
```

Unlike `set: null`, `unset` removes the list entirely.

## Adding items to a scalar list

:::warning

Available for:

- PostgreSQL in versions [2.15.0](https://github.com/prisma/prisma/releases/tag/2.15.0) and later
- CockroachDB in versions [3.9.0](https://github.com/prisma/prisma/releases/tag/3.9.0) and later
- MongoDB in versions [3.11.0](https://github.com/prisma/prisma/releases/tag/3.11.0) and later

:::

Use the [`push`](/orm/reference/prisma-client-reference#push) method to add a single value to a scalar list:

```ts
const userUpdate = await prisma.user.update({
  where: {
    id: 9,
  },
  data: {
    coinflips: {
      push: true,
    },
  },
})
```

In earlier versions, you have to overwrite the entire value. The following example retrieves user, uses `push()` to add three new coin flips, and overwrites the `coinflips` field in an `update`:

```ts
const user = await prisma.user.findUnique({
  where: {
    email: 'eloise@prisma.io',
  },
})

if (user) {
  console.log(user.coinflips)

  user.coinflips.push(true, true, false)

  const updatedUser = await prisma.user.update({
    where: {
      email: 'eloise@prisma.io',
    },
    data: {
      coinflips: user.coinflips,
    },
  })

  console.log(updatedUser.coinflips)
}
```

## Filtering scalar lists

:::warning

Available for:

- PostgreSQL in versions [2.15.0](https://github.com/prisma/prisma/releases/tag/2.15.0) and later
- CockroachDB in versions [3.9.0](https://github.com/prisma/prisma/releases/tag/3.9.0) and later
- MongoDB in versions [3.11.0](https://github.com/prisma/prisma/releases/tag/3.11.0) and later

:::

Use [scalar list filters](/orm/reference/prisma-client-reference#scalar-list-filters) to filter for records with scalar lists that match a specific condition. The following example returns all posts where the tags list includes `databases` _and_ `typescript`:

```ts
const posts = await prisma.post.findMany({
  where: {
    tags: {
      hasEvery: ['databases', 'typescript'],
    },
  },
})
```

### `NULL` values in arrays

:::warning

This section applies to:

- PostgreSQL in versions [2.15.0](https://github.com/prisma/prisma/releases/tag/2.15.0) and later
- CockroachDB in versions [3.9.0](https://github.com/prisma/prisma/releases/tag/3.9.0) and later

:::

When using scalar list filters with a relational database connector, array fields with a `NULL` value are not considered by the following conditions:

- `NOT` (array does not contain X)
- `isEmpty` (array is empty)

This means that records you might expect to see are not returned. Consider the following examples:

- The following query returns all posts where the `tags` **do not** include `databases`:

  ```ts
  const posts = await prisma.post.findMany({
    where: {
      NOT: {
        tags: {
          has: 'databases',
        },
      },
    },
  })
  ```

  - ✔ Arrays that do not contain `"databases"`, such as `{"typescript", "graphql"}`
  - ✔ Empty arrays, such as `[]`

  The query does not return:

  - ✘ `NULL` arrays, even though they do not contain `"databases"`

The following query returns all posts where `tags` is empty:

```ts
const posts = await prisma.post.findMany({
  where: {
    tags: {
      isEmpty: true,
    },
  },
})
```

The query returns:

- ✔ Empty arrays, such as `[]`

The query does not return:

- ✘ `NULL` arrays, even though they could be considered empty

To work around this issue, you can set the default value of array fields to `[]`.
