How do I convert a cell to RFC 3986 standard (URLEncoded) in Google Spreadsheets?

Question

Is it possible to convert text from a certain cell to RFC 3986 (http://url-encoder.org/) in a Google Spreadsheet?
Lets say C4 has the value John Doe, then D4 must be John%20Doe.

Answer 1

Yes, you can create a custom function for that.

Click Tools → Script Editor. Select Create blank project.

In the script editor window, paste the following code:

function encode(value) {
  return encodeURIComponent(value);
}

Save the script (give it a name if prompted), and return to your spreadsheet.

Now, you may use the function as =encode. If your C4 cell contains the text John Doe, enter the following in your D4 cell: =encode(C4).

D4 should now display John%20Doe.

I have created an example spreadsheet to demonstrate.

Answer 2

For other's reference - a similar method also works for decode.

function decode(value) {
  return decodeURIComponent(value);
}

Answer 3

You can do this without a custom function using ENCODEURL.

eg:

=hyperlink(
  ENCODEURL(A1)
)

Answer 4

For others who are still searching for this, Google Sheets has a function called ENCODEURL now (Aug 2018), so you don't need to make your own any more.