Unstructured Text
URL Decoder
Convert percent-encoded text back into normal, readable characters.
When to use it
Typical uses: Reading tracking links and UTM parameters; Debugging API requests and redirects; Recovering search terms from analytics reports.
In a pipeline
Text InputURL DecoderText Output
Settings
| Setting | Type | Required | Default or hint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Text column | select | — | Text |
| Treat + as a space (form data) | checkbox | — | true |
| Generate New Column | checkbox | — | false |
| New Column Name | text | — | Default: <column> Result |
| Insert After | select | — | After the column |
| When a value cannot be converted | select | — | stop |
Example
URL Decoder: an example
| Text |
|---|
| https://example.com/search?q=caf%C3%A9+%26+tea&page=2 |
| Text |
|---|
| https://example.com/search?q=café & tea&page=2 |
Worth knowing
- Why do I get an error? A percent sign must be followed by two hexadecimal digits, and multi-byte characters must be complete. Check for a stray “%” or a cut-off link.
- Is it safe to decode unknown links? Yes. Decoding only changes text, and nothing is opened or visited.
- What if the text was encoded twice? Run the decoder again on the result.
- Works on any text column, not only Text Input's: pick it under Text column. Tick Generate New Column to keep the original next to the result.