[Home](./index.md) > [@firebase/database](./database.md) > [DataSnapshot](./database.datasnapshot.md) > [val](./database.datasnapshot.val.md) ## DataSnapshot.val() method Extracts a JavaScript value from a `DataSnapshot`. Depending on the data in a `DataSnapshot`, the `val()` method may return a scalar type (string, number, or boolean), an array, or an object. It may also return null, indicating that the `DataSnapshot` is empty (contains no data). Signature: ```typescript val(): any; ``` Returns: any The DataSnapshot's contents as a JavaScript value (Object, Array, string, number, boolean, or `null`).