value as string, not number

[DonatoD]

Hi, I'm trying to send messages as string, since I would like to use mqtt with different panels other then time series, and I need text string
I tried with different syntax but nothing. I always get a very old data )(something like " 1750 ... ") and value 0.
Is that possible?

[atifali]

Hi @DonatoD can you please provide a sample of what the messages exactly look like.
Just to clarify currently this data source only supports the format as mentioned here: https://github.com/grafana/mqtt-datasource/blob/main/README.md#known-limitations
We are working on an enhancement to provide support for more complex messages. Follow here: #8

[DonatoD]

Hi thanks for your reply. I mean any kind of string, text. The format it's not a problem, it,s possible to arrange it as the mqtt datasource requires. This because I would like to use it with other panel, like html, svg, and so on so that I can have more control and custom result
So whatever kind of string/words not just number. Fo example if I try sto send "start" as payload, I see 0, or nothing. I have tryed with several format, includin json
{
"value1": "start",
"value2": "in_progress",
"value3": "unavailable"
}
Or even base64 that can be later on manipulated in a simple html. This is one thing really common and useful via mqtt

[atifali]

yes - agreed - this will be a super useful addition to what we are currently naively supporting in terms of just float64 values. strings are not currently supported. but this is coming soon with much better processing for any arbitrary JSON as mentioned here:
#8 (comment)

this is related to an earlier issue raised before as well: #19

closing this now since it's related to: #8

[DonatoD]

Sorry, which the state of this integration? I tried to understand it by clicking on the various links: closed, enhancement, open ....
It's Like a stuck loop