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Converts an input base64 value to text. Output type is String.
  • base64 is a method of representing data in a binary format over text protocols. During encoding, text values are converted to binary values 0-63. Each value is stored as an ASCII character based on a conversion chart. 
    • Typically, base64 is used to transmit binary information, such as images, over transfer methods that use text, such as HTTP. 

      NOTE: base64 is not an effective method of encryption.

    • For more information on base64, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Base64.

Wrangle vs. SQL: This function is part of Wrangle, a proprietary data transformation language. Wrangle is not SQL. For more information, see Wrangle Language.


Basic Usage

Column reference example:

base64decode(mySource)

Output: Decodes the base64 values from the mySource column into text. 

String literal example:

base64decode('GVsbG8sIFdvcmxkLiA=')

Output: Decodes the input value to the following text: Hello, World.

Syntax and Arguments

base64decode(column_string)


ArgumentRequired?Data TypeDescription
column_stringYstringName of the column or string literal to be applied to the function

For more information on syntax standards, see Language Documentation Syntax Notes.

column_string

Name of the column or string constant to be converted.

  • Missing string or column values generate missing string results.
  • String constants must be quoted ('Hello, World').
  • Multiple columns and wildcards are not supported.

Usage Notes:

Required?Data TypeExample Value
YesString literal or column referencemyColumn


Examples


Tip: For additional examples, see Common Tasks.

Example - base64 encoding and decoding

This example demonstrates how to convert an input string to a base64-encoded value and back to ASCII text strings.

Functions:

ItemDescription
BASE64ENCODE Function Converts an input value to base64 encoding with optional padding with an equals sign (=). Input can be of any type. Output type is String.
BASE64DECODE Function Converts an input base64 value to text. Output type is String.

Source:

The following example contains three columns of different data types:

IntegerFieldStringFieldssn
-2082863942This is a test string.987654321
2012994989"Hello, world."987654322
-1637187918"Hello, world. Hello, world. Hello, world."987654323
-1144194035fyi987654324
-971872543
987654325
353977583This is a test string.987-65-4321
-366583667"Hello, world."987-65-4322
-573117553"Hello, world. Hello, world. Hello, world."987-65-4323
2051041970fyi987-65-4324
522691086
987-65-4325

Transformation - encode: 

You can use the following transformation to encode all of the columns in your dataset:

Transformation Name Edit column with formula
Parameter: Columns All
Parameter: Formula base64encode($col, true)

Results - encode:

The transformed dataset now looks like the following. Note the padding (equals signs) at the end of some of the values. Padding is added by default.

IntegerFieldStringFieldssn
LTIwODI4NjM5NDI=VGhpcyBpcyBhIHRlc3Qgc3RyaW5nLg==OTg3NjU0MzIx
MjAxMjk5NDk4OQ==IkhlbGxvLCB3b3JsZC4iOTg3NjU0MzIy
LTE2MzcxODc5MTg=IkhlbGxvLCB3b3JsZC4gSGVsbG8sIHdvcmxkLiBIZWxsbywgd29ybGQuIg==OTg3NjU0MzIz
LTExNDQxOTQwMzU=ZnlpOTg3NjU0MzI0
LTk3MTg3MjU0Mw==
OTg3NjU0MzI1
MzUzOTc3NTgzVGhpcyBpcyBhIHRlc3Qgc3RyaW5nLg==OTg3LTY1LTQzMjE=
LTM2NjU4MzY2Nw==IkhlbGxvLCB3b3JsZC4iOTg3LTY1LTQzMjI=
LTU3MzExNzU1Mw==IkhlbGxvLCB3b3JsZC4gSGVsbG8sIHdvcmxkLiBIZWxsbywgd29ybGQuIg==OTg3LTY1LTQzMjM=
MjA1MTA0MTk3MA==ZnlpOTg3LTY1LTQzMjQ=
NTIyNjkxMDg2
OTg3LTY1LTQzMjU=

Transformation - decode:

The following transformation can be used to decode all of the columns:

Transformation Name Edit column with formula
Parameter: Columns All
Parameter: Formula base64decode($col)

Results - decode:

IntegerFieldStringFieldssn
-2082863942This is a test string.987654321
2012994989"Hello, world."987654322
-1637187918"Hello, world. Hello, world. Hello, world."987654323
-1144194035fyi987654324
-971872543
987654325
353977583This is a test string.987-65-4321
-366583667"Hello, world."987-65-4322
-573117553"Hello, world. Hello, world. Hello, world."987-65-4323
2051041970fyi987-65-4324
522691086
987-65-4325

See Also for EXAMPLE - Base64 Encoding Functions:

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