---
description: Scalar functions for manipulating binary strings
title: Binary string functions
image: https://developers.cloudflare.com/og-docs.png
---

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# Binary string functions

Last updated Aug 25, 2026|Copy as Markdown|[View as Markdown](https://66f4ea29.previews.developers.cloudflare.com/pipelines/sql-reference/scalar-functions/binary-string/index.md)|[Agent setup](https://66f4ea29.previews.developers.cloudflare.com/agent-setup/)

_Cloudflare Pipelines scalar function implementations are based on [Apache DataFusion ↗](https://arrow.apache.org/datafusion/) (via [Arroyo ↗](https://www.arroyo.dev/)) and these docs are derived from the DataFusion function reference._

## `encode`

Encode binary data into a textual representation.

```plaintext
encode(expression, format)
```

**Arguments**

* **expression**: Expression containing string or binary data
* **format**: Supported formats are: `base64`, `hex`

**Related functions**: [decode](#decode)

## `decode`

Decode binary data from textual representation in string.

```plaintext
decode(expression, format)
```

**Arguments**

* **expression**: Expression containing encoded string data
* **format**: Same arguments as [encode](#encode)

**Related functions**: [encode](#encode)

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