# Changing an existing field type
**URL:** https://discuss.elastic.co/t/changing-an-existing-field-type/350538
**Category:** Kibana
**Created:** [January 7, 2024, 11:41pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/changing-an-existing-field-type/350538 "2024-01-07T23:41:19Z")
**Posts on this page:** 4
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@m4hjub](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/m4hjub)
#### Post date: [January 7, 2024, 11:41pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/changing-an-existing-field-type/350538/1 "2024-01-07T23:41:19Z")
Hello,
I have a requirement to change a field type from String to float. What's the best method without reindexing? In the past we changed the field type, reindexed and had to wait for all the old index with old field type to get deleted before field type mismatch get's removed and we can filter with the new field type. Is there an easier and quicker approach? We are on OpenSearch 7.10 and Kibana v 7.10.2. Thanks
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### Author:  [@system](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/system)
#### Post date: [January 7, 2024, 11:41pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/changing-an-existing-field-type/350538/2 "2024-01-07T23:41:19Z")
OpenSearch/OpenDistro are AWS run products and differ from the original Elasticsearch and Kibana products that Elastic builds and maintains. You may need to contact them directly for further assistance.
(This is an automated response from your friendly Elastic bot. Please report this post if you have any suggestions or concerns :elasticheart: )
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### Author:  [@leandrojmp](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/leandrojmp)
#### Post date: [January 8, 2024, 1:12am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/changing-an-existing-field-type/350538/3 "2024-01-08T01:12:34Z")
There is not, changing the type of existing data requires a reindex.
Since version 7.11 you have the option to create Runtime fields to make the type to be evaluated at query time, but this does not work for `float` types, also this is a Elasticsearch feature, so it wouldn't work on Opensearch as well.
Not sure if Opensearch has a similar feature, since it is not supported here you would need to check on an Opensearch forum.
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### Author:  [@system](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/system)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2024, 1:13am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/changing-an-existing-field-type/350538/4 "2024-02-05T01:13:26Z")
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