---
title: Value input data format
description: Use the value input data format to parse single values into Telegraf metrics.
url: https://docs.influxdata.com/telegraf/v1/data_formats/input/value/
estimated_tokens: 557
product: Telegraf Enterprise
version: v1
publisher: InfluxData
canonical: https://docs.influxdata.com/telegraf/v1/data_formats/input/value/
date: '2026-08-13T16:00:16-06:00'
lastmod: '2026-08-13T16:00:16-06:00'
---

Use the `value` input data format to parse single values into Telegraf metrics.

## Configuration

Specify the measurement name and a field to use as the parsed metric.

>
>
> To specify the measurement name for your metric, set `name_override`; otherwise, the input plugin name (for example, “exec”) is used as the measurement name.
>
>

You **must** tell Telegraf what type of metric to collect by using the`data_type` configuration option. Available options are:

* `integer`: converts the received data to an integer value.
  Produces an error on non-integer data.
* `float` (or `long`): converts the received data to a floating-point
  value.
  Treats integers as floating-point values and produces an error on data
  that can’t be converted, such as strings.
* `string`: outputs the data as a string.
* `base64`: outputs the data as a base64-encoded string.
* `boolean`: converts the received data to a boolean value.
  Produces an error on any data except the strings `true` and `false`.
* `auto_integer`: converts the received data to an integer value if
  possible, and returns the data as a string otherwise.
  Helpful for mixed-type data.
* `auto_float`: converts the received data to a floating-point value if
  possible, and returns the data as a string otherwise.
  Helpful for mixed-type data.
  Integer data is treated as floating-point values.

> [!Note]
> The `auto` conversions might convert data to their prioritized type by
> accident.
> For example, if a string data source provides `"55"`, it converts to an
> integer or float.
> This might break outputs that require a consistent type within a field
> or column, so use strict typing whenever possible.

```toml
[[inputs.exec]]
  ## Commands array
  commands = ["cat /proc/sys/kernel/random/entropy_avail"]

  ## override the default metric name of "exec"
  name_override = "entropy_available"

  ## override the field name of "value"
  # value_field_name = "value"

  ## Data format to consume.
  ## Each data format has its own unique set of configuration options, read
  ## more about them here:
  ##   https://github.com/influxdata/telegraf/blob/master/docs/DATA_FORMATS_INPUT.md
  data_format = "value"
  data_type = "integer" # required
```