# Base64Decode Question **URL:** \ **Category:** Questions\ **Tags:** community\ **Created:** [June 11, 2021, 5:03pm UTC](https://the.fmsoup.org/t/base64decode-question/2218 "2021-06-11T17:03:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![OliverBarrett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f19dbf/32.png) [@OliverBarrett](https://the.fmsoup.org/u/OliverBarrett)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2021, 5:03pm UTC](https://the.fmsoup.org/t/base64decode-question/2218/1 "2021-06-11T17:03:19Z")
I am calling a Python Flask REST service which returns a Base64Encoded file result. In FileMaker, I am first writing that Base64 data to a text field and then doing a Base64Decode("text field; path\_to\_file). Since Base64Decode doesn't seem to work on a variable like $base64Encoded that the INSERT FROM URL creates as its target, I created this extra step. Also INSERT FROM URL, if I used a field instead of a variable, doesn't let me use a function on the Target field result. So, three script lines which isn't too bad. I wanted to ask though if I missed something about how Base64Decode works. Since it wants a "field" and not a variable, I added the extra step to the script. Thanks for any suggestions for improvement. ---
**Author:** ![steve\_ssh](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/the.fmsoup.org/steve_ssh/32/160_2.png) [@steve\_ssh](https://the.fmsoup.org/u/steve_ssh)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2021, 7:11pm UTC](https://the.fmsoup.org/t/base64decode-question/2218/2 "2021-06-11T19:11:39Z")
Hi Oliver, I am somewhat surprised to hear that Base64Decode is not working directly on variable argument if that variable does indeed contain just a Base64 text representation of some data. Never have I had such an experience, nor would I have expected it. Similarly, I am surprised to hear that the function is not allowed to be called on a text field. It is entirely possible that you have simply run into something that I have never seen, but for the record, and in case it helps, I will mention that I find it odd. I wonder if there is some nuance about the data being returned which needs to be discovered? Kind regards, -Steve ---
**Author:** ![OliverBarrett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f19dbf/32.png) [@OliverBarrett](https://the.fmsoup.org/u/OliverBarrett)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2021, 7:25pm UTC](https://the.fmsoup.org/t/base64decode-question/2218/3 "2021-06-11T19:25:21Z")
[https://help.claris.com/en/pro-help/content/base64decode.html?Highlight=base64decode](https://help.claris.com/en/pro-help/content/base64decode.html?Highlight=base64decode) ---
**Author:** ![planteg](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/the.fmsoup.org/planteg/32/627_2.png) [@planteg](https://the.fmsoup.org/u/planteg)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2021, 9:59pm UTC](https://the.fmsoup.org/t/base64decode-question/2218/4 "2021-06-11T21:59:30Z")
This page in FileMaker Help is not clear as spring water. Base64Decode should take its first argument anything that is a text. Don't forget that what will be decoded is binary, hard to check in the DataViewer. > Since Base64Decode **doesn't seem to work** on a variable like $base64Encoded that the INSERT FROM URL creates as its target, I created this extra step. Also INSERT FROM URL, if I used a field instead of a variable, doesn't let me use a function on the Target field result. Can you develop on this ? Three years ago I had a hard time decoding some base64 encoded data retrieved in Xojo from FileMaker. Doing tests I discovered that encoding on Windows and MacOS did not provided the same result, the reason being the delimiter added at every 76 chars - data is split every 76 characters, but the end-of-line sequence depends on the OS. This [Base64 Encode and Decode - Online](https://www.base64encode.org/) may help you diagnose what's going on. ---
**Author:** ![OliverBarrett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f19dbf/32.png) [@OliverBarrett](https://the.fmsoup.org/u/OliverBarrett)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2021, 10:53am UTC](https://the.fmsoup.org/t/base64decode-question/2218/5 "2021-06-12T10:53:06Z")
I tried using the $ variable, but the Base64Decode function said it couldn't find the field. If you could show me how you use the Base64Decode with a variable directly, say a screenshot or FMP sample, that would be helpful. Thanks @planteg! ---
**Author:** ![steve\_ssh](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/the.fmsoup.org/steve_ssh/32/160_2.png) [@steve\_ssh](https://the.fmsoup.org/u/steve_ssh)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2021, 3:52pm UTC](https://the.fmsoup.org/t/base64decode-question/2218/6 "2021-06-12T15:52:30Z")
Hello Oliver, Attached should be a very simple example of using Base64Decode, where its supplied base64 data is held within a variable. Hope this helps! -Steve [Base64.fmp12.zip](https://the.fmsoup.org/uploads/short-url/zjOpsIFd7UDA2tynzgrUxb12oFf.zip) (103.1 KB) ---
**Author:** ![OliverBarrett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f19dbf/32.png) [@OliverBarrett](https://the.fmsoup.org/u/OliverBarrett)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2021, 4:56pm UTC](https://the.fmsoup.org/t/base64decode-question/2218/7 "2021-06-12T16:56:05Z")
Now that's just strange. It now works for me also, but when I tried it last time, I got some "could not find field" type error. Maybe a typo (user error....), don't know. Thanks, @steve_ssh! Excellent.