13.2. Constraints

Neo4j helps enforce data integrity with the use of constraints.

You can use unique constraints to ensure that property values are unique for all nodes with a specific label. Unique constraints do not mean that all nodes have to have a unique value for the properties — nodes without the property are not subject to this rule.

Remember that adding constraints is an atomic operation that can take a while — all existing data has to be scanned before Neo4j can turn the constraint “on”.

You can have multiple unique constraints for a given label.

Note that adding a uniqueness constraint on a property will also add an index on that property, so you cannot add such an index separately. Cypher will use that index for lookups just like other indexes. If you drop a constraint and still want an index on the property, you will have to create the index.

Create uniqueness constraint

To create a constraint that makes sure that your database will never contain more than one node with a specific label and one property value, use the IS UNIQUE syntax.

Query.  

CREATE CONSTRAINT ON (book:Book) ASSERT book.isbn IS UNIQUE

Result

Constraints added: 1

(empty result)

Try this query live. none CREATE CONSTRAINT ON (book:Book) ASSERT book.isbn IS UNIQUE

Drop uniqueness constraint

By using DROP CONSTRAINT, you remove a constraint from the database.

Query.  

DROP CONSTRAINT ON (book:Book) ASSERT book.isbn IS UNIQUE

Result

Constraints removed: 1

(empty result)

Create a node that complies with constraints

Create a Book node with an isbn that isn’t already in the database.

Query.  

CREATE (book:Book { isbn: '1449356265', title: 'Graph Databases' })

Result

Nodes created: 1
Properties set: 2
Labels added: 1

(empty result)

Create a node that breaks a constraint

Create a Book node with an isbn that is already used in the database.

Query.  

CREATE (book:Book { isbn: '1449356265', title: 'Graph Databases' })

Error message.  

Node 0 already exists with label Book and property "isbn"=[1449356265]