# Can I update ES mappings to exclude copy\_to? **URL:** \ **Category:** Elasticsearch\ **Created:** [August 1, 2023, 4:35pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/can-i-update-es-mappings-to-exclude-copy-to/339834 "2023-08-01T16:35:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Vlado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/779978/32.png) [@Vlado](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/Vlado)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2023, 4:35pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/can-i-update-es-mappings-to-exclude-copy-to/339834/1 "2023-08-01T16:35:12Z")
Hi, What are ES back-compat rules around directives? Say, I have a copy\_to mapping on several fields with data already indexed and wanted to remove the "copy\_to" directive on some of those. Is this allowed? Or is it an unsupported operation like removing a field? I assume the answer must be yes, but I couldn't find any confirmation online. And I'd like a stronger confirmation than the test I wrote 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Vlado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/779978/32.png) [@Vlado](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/Vlado)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2023, 6:34pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/can-i-update-es-mappings-to-exclude-copy-to/339834/2 "2023-08-01T18:34:48Z")
My read here is that this is allowed, but would appreciate the input of someone that is more deeply familiar with ES. > **[Update mapping API | Elasticsearch Guide \[8.9\] | Elastic](https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/elasticsearch/reference/current/indices-put-mapping.html#updating-field-mappings)** ---
**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/original/3X/1/a/1ac57faf039f6b580b3f104ef42a2a89e41014de.png) [@system](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/system)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2023, 6:35pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/can-i-update-es-mappings-to-exclude-copy-to/339834/3 "2023-08-29T18:35:38Z")
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