Converting file upload to base 64

I’m encountering a significant challenge while trying to integrate Webflow forms with Airtable without uploading them to Webflow itself due to GDPR constraints. Users must be able to upload PDFs or images (up to 2MB) through a Webflow form.

My current approach involves converting these files to Base64 strings before transmission. However, I’m running into issues where the payload exceeds character limits despite compressing the files. Has anyone successfully managed to convert and upload files of this size to Airtable within these restrictions?

You may not need to. Webflow supports the Data Processing agreement (DPA) which I understand covers the GDPR data export requirements. I haven’t needed to do this but I understand you can click the DPA link on this page, and Webflow will generate a signed DPA for your client.

This is the typical approach for most US-based SaaS companies, including Airtable which also hosts in the US.

Interestingly Webflow and Zapier are listed as active participants in the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF), but Airtable isn’t.

That said, there are plenty of reasons to consider other mechanics for file uploads. You’d have to check the GDPR support, but you could simply push the form results through to Zapier, Pipedream, Make, etc. Or you could host an n8n automation instance in the EU to keep it local.

That gives you more control over the form data processing, file storage, and data sovereignty.

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