docs-v2/content/influxdb/v2/query-data/flux/scalar-values.md

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---
title: Extract scalar values in Flux
list_title: Extract scalar values
description: >
Use Flux dynamic query functions to extract scalar values from Flux query output.
This lets you, for example, dynamically set variables using query results.
menu:
influxdb_v2:
name: Extract scalar values
parent: Query with Flux
weight: 220
influxdb/v2/tags: [scalar]
related:
- /flux/v0/function-types/#dynamic-queries, Flux dynamic query functions
aliases:
- /influxdb/v2/query-data/guides/scalar-values/
list_code_example: |
```js
scalarValue = (tables=<-) => {
_record = tables
|> findRecord(fn: (key) => true, idx: 0)
return _record._value
}
```
---
Use Flux [dynamic query functions](/flux/v0/function-types/#dynamic-queries)
to extract scalar values from Flux query output.
This lets you, for example, dynamically set variables using query results.
**To extract scalar values from output:**
1. [Extract a column from the input stream](#extract-a-column)
_**or**_ [extract a row from the input stream](#extract-a-row).
2. Use the returned array or record to reference scalar values.
_The samples on this page use the [sample data provided below](#sample-data)._
{{% note %}}
#### Output scalar values
The InfluxDB `/api/v2/query` HTTP API endpoint and all clients that use it
(InfluxDB UI, `influx` CLI, etc.) only support queries that return a stream of tables.
This endpoint does not support raw scalar output.
To output a scalar value as part of a stream of tables:
1. Import the [`array` package](/flux/v0/stdlib/array/from/).
2. Use [`array.from()`](/flux/v0/stdlib/array/from/) and
[`display()`](/flux/v0/stdlib/universe/display/) to wrap the
literal representation of a scalar value in a stream of tables and return it
as output.
{{< expand-wrapper >}}
{{% expand "View example" %}}
```js
import "array"
SFOTemps =
sampleData
|> findColumn(
fn: (key) => key._field == "temp" and key.location == "sfo",
column: "_value",
)
array.from(rows: [{ output: display(v: SFOTemps) }])
```
##### Returns
| output |
| :------------------------- |
| [ 65.1, 66.2, 66.3, 66.8 ] |
{{% /expand %}}
{{< /expand-wrapper >}}
{{% /note %}}
## Table extraction
Flux formats query results as a stream of tables.
Both [`findColumn()`](/flux/v0/stdlib/universe/findcolumn/)
and [`findRecord()`](/flux/v0/stdlib/universe/findrecord/)
extract the first table in a stream of tables whose [group key](/flux/v0/get-started/data-model/#group-key)
values match the `fn` [predicate function](/flux/v0/get-started/syntax-basics/#predicate-functions).
{{% note %}}
#### Extract the correct table
Flux functions do not guarantee table order.
`findColumn()` and `findRecord()` extract only the **first** table that matches the `fn` predicate.
To extract the correct table, use the `fn` predicate function to specifically identify the table to extract or
filter and transform your data to minimize the number of tables piped-forward into the functions.
{{% /note %}}
## Extract a column
Use the [`findColumn()` function](/flux/v0/stdlib/universe/findcolumn/)
to output an array of values from a specific column in the extracted table.
_See [Sample data](#sample-data) below._
```js
sampleData
|> findColumn(
fn: (key) => key._field == "temp" and key.location == "sfo",
column: "_value",
)
// Returns [65.1, 66.2, 66.3, 66.8]
```
{{% caption %}}
To return this value from the InfluxDB query API, InfluxDB UI, or influx CLI see
[Output scalar values](#output-scalar-values).
{{% /caption %}}
### Use extracted column values
Use a variable to store the array of values.
In the example below, `SFOTemps` represents the array of values.
Reference a specific index (integer starting from `0`) in the array to return the
value at that index.
_See [Sample data](#sample-data) below._
```js
SFOTemps = sampleData
|> findColumn(
fn: (key) => key._field == "temp" and key.location == "sfo",
column: "_value",
)
SFOTemps
// Returns [65.1, 66.2, 66.3, 66.8]
SFOTemps[0]
// Returns 65.1
SFOTemps[2]
// Returns 66.3
```
{{% caption %}}
To return this value from the InfluxDB query API, InfluxDB UI, or influx CLI see
[Output scalar values](#output-scalar-values).
{{% /caption %}}
## Extract a row
Use the [`findRecord()` function](/flux/v0/stdlib/universe/findrecord/)
to output data from a single row in the extracted table.
Specify the index of the row to output using the `idx` parameter.
The function outputs a record with key-value pairs for each column.
```js
sampleData
|> findRecord(
fn: (key) => key._field == "temp" and key.location == "sfo",
idx: 0,
)
// Returns {
// _time:2019-11-11T12:00:00Z,
// _field:"temp",
// location:"sfo",
// _value: 65.1
// }
```
{{% caption %}}
To return this value from the InfluxDB query API, InfluxDB UI, or influx CLI see
[Output scalar values](#output-scalar-values).
{{% /caption %}}
### Use an extracted row record
Use a variable to store the extracted row record.
In the example below, `tempInfo` represents the extracted row.
Use [dot or bracket notation](/flux/v0/data-types/composite/record/#dot-notation)
to reference keys in the record.
```js
tempInfo = sampleData
|> findRecord(
fn: (key) => key._field == "temp" and key.location == "sfo",
idx: 0,
)
tempInfo
// Returns {
// _time:2019-11-11T12:00:00Z,
// _field:"temp",
// location:"sfo",
// _value: 65.1
// }
tempInfo._time
// Returns 2019-11-11T12:00:00Z
tempInfo.location
// Returns sfo
```
{{% caption %}}
To return this value from the InfluxDB query API, InfluxDB UI, or influx CLI see
[Output scalar values](#output-scalar-values).
{{% /caption %}}
## Example helper functions
Create custom helper functions to extract scalar values from query output.
##### Extract a scalar field value
```js
// Define a helper function to extract field values
getFieldValue = (tables=<-, field) => {
extract = tables
|> findColumn(fn: (key) => key._field == field, column: "_value")
return extract[0]
}
// Use the helper function to define a variable
lastJFKTemp = sampleData
|> filter(fn: (r) => r.location == "kjfk")
|> last()
|> getFieldValue(field: "temp")
lastJFKTemp
// Returns 71.2
```
{{% caption %}}
To return this value from the InfluxDB query API, InfluxDB UI, or influx CLI see
[Output scalar values](#output-scalar-values).
{{% /caption %}}
##### Extract scalar row data
```js
// Define a helper function to extract a row as a record
getRow = (tables=<-, field, idx=0) => {
extract = tables
|> findRecord(fn: (key) => true, idx: idx)
return extract
}
// Use the helper function to define a variable
lastReported = sampleData
|> last()
|> getRow(field: "temp")
"The last location to report was ${lastReported.location}.
The temperature was ${string(v: lastReported._value)}°F."
// Returns:
// The last location to report was kord.
// The temperature was 38.9°F.
```
{{% caption %}}
To return this value from the InfluxDB query API, InfluxDB UI, or influx CLI see
[Output scalar values](#output-scalar-values).
{{% /caption %}}
---
## Sample data
The following sample data set represents fictional temperature metrics collected
from three locations.
It's formatted as an array of Flux [records](/flux/v0/data-types/composite/record/)
and structured as a stream of stables using [`array.from()` function](/flux/v0/stdlib/array/from/).
Place the following at the beginning of your query to use the sample data:
```js
import "array"
sampleData =
array.from(
rows: [
{_time: 2019-11-01T12:00:00Z, location: "sfo", _field: "temp", _value: 65.1},
{_time: 2019-11-01T13:00:00Z, location: "sfo", _field: "temp", _value: 66.2},
{_time: 2019-11-01T14:00:00Z, location: "sfo", _field: "temp", _value: 66.3},
{_time: 2019-11-01T15:00:00Z, location: "sfo", _field: "temp", _value: 66.8},
{_time: 2019-11-01T12:00:00Z, location: "kjfk", _field: "temp", _value: 69.4},
{_time: 2019-11-01T13:00:00Z, location: "kjfk", _field: "temp", _value: 69.9},
{_time: 2019-11-01T14:00:00Z, location: "kjfk", _field: "temp", _value: 71.0},
{_time: 2019-11-01T15:00:00Z, location: "kjfk", _field: "temp", _value: 71.2},
{_time: 2019-11-01T12:00:00Z, location: "kord", _field: "temp", _value: 46.4},
{_time: 2019-11-01T13:00:00Z, location: "kord", _field: "temp", _value: 46.3},
{_time: 2019-11-01T14:00:00Z, location: "kord", _field: "temp", _value: 42.7},
{_time: 2019-11-01T15:00:00Z, location: "kord", _field: "temp", _value: 38.9},
],
)
|> group(columns: ["location", "_field"])
```