To handle document updates in LlamaIndex, you need to follow a structured process that lets you modify existing documents while ensuring consistency in your index. First and foremost, you will want to identify the documents that require updates. This could be as simple as checking for modifications in your source data or using timestamps to determine which documents have changed since the last update. Having a systematic way to detect these changes is key to efficient management and keeping your index up to date.
Once you identify the documents to be updated, you should prepare the updated content. This preparation might involve reprocessing the document to extract the relevant text or data. You may want to consider how the updates impact the structure of the document, especially if you're using LlamaIndex to handle large documents or structured data. After preparing the updates, you can use LlamaIndex's built-in methods to either update the existing documents or replace them entirely. It’s often beneficial to check if LlamaIndex provides an "update" method or equivalent functionality to modify documents in place without needing to delete and re-add them.
Finally, after performing the updates, ensure to verify that the changes are reflected correctly in the index. You can check this by running queries against the updated documents to confirm that they return the expected results. Additionally, logging updates or changes can help in troubleshooting any future issues. Overall, handling document updates with care and attention to detail is crucial for maintaining the integrity of your LlamaIndex.