---
title: How to Trigger an Update of the Search Index
slug: how-to-trigger-an-update-of-the-search-index
createdAt: 2025-06-11T20:26:17.823Z
---

## Background

By default, Activate performs two types of updates to the index of objects in the database:

- Full index
  Nightly from =//Tasks/System Tasks/Background/MaintenanceScript
- Incremental Index
  Every 15 minutes

A full index rebuilds the search index, the incremental index adds new items to it. For a deleted item to disappear from the index, a full index must run and forcing objects to be removed is the most common reason to manually run a full index.

It is also possible to trigger index updates manually and programmatically, and to programmatically add newly created items to the index directly.

## Manually Triggering an Update

### Via the Web Server - Incremental or Full Index

Applies to: V7 and below

http\://{ActivateURL}/activate/search/searchdiagnostics.aspx

 

### Via the Test Tool within Activate Administrator – Full Index Only

Applies to: V6.2 and above

Full Index only.

## Programmatically – Incremental, full-index or add an item to the index

### Incremental or Full Index

Innovation.Activate.Query.ActivateFTSearch.UpdateIndex(*bFull*)

bFull = True; Full Index

bFull = False; Incremental index

 

### Adding an item to the index

Innovation.Activate.Query.ActivateFTSearch.AddToIndex(*provisioningDirectoryEntry*);