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Version: User Guides (Cloud)

Manage Collections (Console)

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for creating and managing collections in Zilliz Cloud. It is intended for users who prefer a visual interface. If you are familiar with SDKs, you can also create and manage collections through them. For more information, refer to Manage Collections (SDKs).

Create collection​

Zilliz Cloud offers three methods to create a collection, each catering to different needs:

  • Use Your Own Data: Ideal for users who desire full control. You'll have the autonomy to define the schema and the index parameters according to your dataset and specific needs.

  • Use Example Data: Ideal for users who are new to Zilliz Cloud seeking a quick setup. Zilliz Cloud offers a sample collection with a schema matching the example dataset. This method is hassle-free, but it does not allow configuration modifications.

  • Copy Existing Collection: Suitable for duplicating existing collections, saving time and effort in setup.

Method 1: Use your own data​

For complete control over your collection, follow these steps.

  1. On the Create Collection page, define the schema of your collection.

    • Auto ID: Automatically generates unique IDs for the primary key, without the need to manually assign or manage them during data insertion.

    • Primary key field: Available types are Int64 or VarChar. Not required if Auto ID is enabled.

    • Vector field: Dimension for vector embeddings. Defaults to AUTOINDEX with metrics such as Cosine, IP, or L2. For details, refer to Similarity Metrics Explained and AUTOINDEX Explained.

    • Additional fields: Click + Field below Schema Preview to add more scalar fields. For details, refer to Schema Explained.

  2. (Optional) In Advanced Settings, consider dynamic fields and partition keys for advanced configurations.

    • Dynamic Field: Allow the insertion of new fields beyond the predefined schema. For more information, refer to Schema Explained.

    • Partition Key: Improve query efficiency by grouping data into partitions. For more information, refer to Use Partition Key.

  3. Click Create Collection. Then, you can insert data into your collection.

create_custom_collection

Method 2: Use example data​

Select Create Sample Collection from the Actions menu, review the preset collection, and confirm creation.

📘Notes

When you create a sample collection, Zilliz Cloud takes care of all the details, but does not allow configuration adjustments.

create_sample_collection

Method 3: Copy existing collection​

Choose Copy Collection from the Actions menu, set the new collection's name and description, and create.

copy_collection

View collections​

You can view the list of all existing collections created in your cluster, or click the name of a collection to view its details.

view_collection

Load & release collection​

In Zilliz Cloud, all search and query operations are performed in memory. Thus, loading a collection involves writing its data into memory, which is essential for these operations. Conversely, releasing a collection frees up memory space.

load_release_collection

Drop collection​

Dropping a collection is a permanent action used when a collection is no longer required. It helps in saving resources but needs to be done cautiously.

🚧Warning

Dropping a collection irreversibly deletes all data within it.

drop_collection

Collection limits​

For a free cluster, you can create up to two collections.

For a serverless cluster, you can create up to ten collections.

For a dedicated cluster, the number of collections you can create varies with the CU that your cluster uses.

Maximum number of collections
Free cluster2
Serverless cluster10
Dedicated cluster (8 CUs and less)32
Dedicated cluster (More than 8 CUs)256