====Channel:AsText====

This function is part of the [[Channel|Channel]] class.

**AsText** is used to retrieve the value of the channel as a //string//. 

ARDI data generally travels as strings, but through JSON conversion might be converted to and from numeric values. As such, we always suggest casting your channels to the desired type to ensure no exceptions occurr.

===Return Value===

This function returns the string value of the channel.

If the channels current value is //bad//, it will return "^"

===Parameters===

**None**