Mongoose populate returning empty array

Question

I am trying to use mongoose populate function but in response I am getting empty array, I have seen multiple posts regarding this

var MerchantSchema = new mongo         


        

Answer 1

Use type insted of $type in MerchantSchema.

var MerchantSchema = new mongoose.Schema({
  packages: [{ type: mongoose.Schema.Types.ObjectId, ref: 'Package'}]
},
{
    typeKey: '$type',
    timestamps: { createdAt: 'created_at', updatedAt: 'updated_at'}
});

module.exports = mongoose.model('Merchant', MerchantSchema);

Verify there is an array of ObjectId against packages in your Merchant document.