# Indexing

You will have to run a scratch index to get data into your index. There are two ways to do that - using the back office or calling the API directly, using, e.g., Postman.

{% hint style="info" %}
It is only necessary to index from scratch when importing data from external sources into Ucommerce or making a new [custom index definition](/readme/search-and-indexing/indexing/index-definitions.md#customizing-an-index-definition). When using the back office to change properties for products, etc., the back office makes sure to index the changes automatically. 
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
Only a single scratch index operation can run at any time. The API will return a *409 - Conflict* HTTP status code if a scratch index operation is already running. The back office will display the current status.
{% endhint %}

## Scratch index using the back office

Go to *Settings* -> *Search - rebuild index* -> Click *Rebuild index*

## Scratch index using the API

Send an empty `POST` request to the URL responsible for indexing:

```
https://YourStore:YourPort/ucommerce/api/v1/search
```


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

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```
GET https://dev.ucommerce.net/readme/search-and-indexing/indexing.md?ask=<question>
```

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Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.