Get Value of Data Element without Name or Index in R (3 Examples)

This tutorial explains how to return only the value of a data table element without showing the name or index in the R programming language.

The tutorial contains these topics:

Let’s jump right to the examples!

Creating Example Data

First, let’s construct some example data in R:

set.seed(872634)          # Create example table
data <- table(sample(letters[1:5], 100, replace = TRUE))
data                      # Print example table
# 
#  a  b  c  d  e 
# 14 22 20 24 20

The previous output of the RStudio console shows the structure of our example data: A data table with five columns and one row.

Let’s extract only one of the table elements using single square brackets:

data[3]                   # Return element of table with name
#  c 
# 20

As you can see, the previous R code returned the third value and the name of this table column.

Next, I’ll explain how to print only the value without any names or indices.

Let’s do this!

Example 1: Extract Data Element without Name Using Double Square Brackets

In Example 1, I’ll explain how to use double square brackets to get rid of all names and indices of a data value.

Have a look at the following R code:

data[[3]]                 # Return element of table without name
# [1] 20

As you can see, the RStudio console have returned only the value without name or index.

Example 2: Extract Data Element without Name Using as.vector Function

As an alternative to Example 1, Example 2 shows how to use the as.vector function to return a data element without index or name:

as.vector(data[3])        # Return element of table without name
# [1] 20

Example 3: Extract Data Element without Name Using as.double Function

Another alternative is provided by the as.double function:

as.double(data[3])        # Return element of table without name
# [1] 20

Video & Further Resources

Have a look at the following video of my YouTube channel. In the video, I’m explaining the content of this article in a live session in R.

In addition, you might want to have a look at some of the other tutorials on this homepage:

• Get Row Index Number in R
• Find Index of Maximum & Minimum Value of Vector & Data Frame Row
• Get Row Indices where Data Frame Column has a Particular Value
• Get Column Index in Data Frame by Variable Name
• All R Programming Tutorials

Summary: In this article you have learned how to extract only values without names or indices in the R programming language. In case you have additional comments and/or questions, let me know in the comments.