Base64 to File Converter – Convert Base64 Strings into Salesforce Files
Recently I created a Flow Component that extacts text from an image called Flow Document Scanner that Salesforce API used for the text extraction also outputs a Base64 string of the image file after extracting the text and I wanted a way to store that image as a file in Salesforce so I created the Base64 to File Converter Invocable action that takes that Base64 string and creates a ContentVersion and relates to a record. After some feedback I heard that there was a need for this outside of my use case so I am releasing it on Unofficialsf as a stand alone Invocable Action. Let’s take a look at another use case and how the action is used.
Use Case Overview: Uploading User-Generated Content
Imagine a scenario where your organization collects user-generated content—such as images or documents—through a web form. This content, once submitted it is stored in a raw Base64 format in a database, but you have a requirement now that the images also need to be stored in Salesforce for future access and management. However, the challenge lies in converting this content into a format that Salesforce can handle effectively. This is where Base64 to File Converter comes into play.
The Solution
In our scenario we already have a developer who has an integration setup that is creating a platform event in Salesforce when a file is uploaded into our companies database. So to help keep things simple we are going to create a platform event triggered flow to handle the Base64 conversion and file relationship.
Step-by-Step Implementation
1. Create a Platform Event triggered flow. Our flow is going to Get an Account record with a matching external Id then it will convert our Base64 String to a File and attach it to the Account. Then to save us some work later it is going to create a Content Delivery record based on the ContentVersion output by the Base64 to File Converter action.
2. Let’s take a deeper look at how we configure Base64 To File Converter. The first thing I need to enter is the file name including the file extension i.e. myfile.jpg in our use case we are getting that from our Platform Event. Next I need to enter my Base64 String and finally the Related Record Id.
3. Base64 to File Converter outputs the ContentVersionId of the file that gets created so if I need to do other things with the file like in our example create a ContentDistribution record we can do that without having to go find the file we just created.
Finally
As an flownatic I now have a quick and easy way to convert Base64 to files without having to code it all myself I just drop it into a flow and I am done.
Attributes
| Attribute | Type | Notes |
| INPUT | ||
| File Name Base64 Encoded File Content Related Record Id | String String String | The name of your file with the appropriate extension i.e. myfile.jpg Base64 String Id of the Record you want to relate the file to |
| OUTPUT | ||
| Content Version Id | String | Id of the created Content Version |
Installation
Production or Developer Version 1.0.0
Release Notes
1/13/2025 – Josh Dayment – v1.0.0
Initial Release
