{ "nodes": [ { "id": "acbfe599-0e66-43f8-acf8-92f3d863f963", "name": "Re-Access Binary Data from Previous Node", "type": "n8n-nodes-base.code", "notes": "\u00a9 2025 Lucas Peyrin", "position": [ 704, 96 ], "parameters": { "jsCode": "// IMPORTANT: Change this to the name of the node you want to get binary files from.\nconst previousNodeName = 'Get n8n Logo (Binary)';\n\n// This will hold all the items we process.\nconst allItems = [];\n\n// Loop over every item that is coming into this Code node.\nfor (const item of $input.all()) {\n\n // For the current item in the loop, find its corresponding item from the previous node.\n // The '.item' accessor automatically links the current item to its parent from the specified node.\n const previousNodeItem = $(previousNodeName).item;\n\n // Check if the corresponding item from the previous node actually has binary data.\n if (previousNodeItem && previousNodeItem.binary) {\n\n // Ensure the current item has a 'binary' object to add files to.\n // This also prevents overwriting any binary data the current item might already have.\n item.binary = item.binary || {};\n\n // Now, loop over ALL keys (each key represents a file) in the binary object.\n for (const inputPropertyName in previousNodeItem.binary) {\n \n // Get the specific binary file's data (which includes the base64 data and fileName).\n const binary = previousNodeItem.binary[inputPropertyName];\n\n // Decode the base64 data into a Buffer.\n const myBuffer = Buffer.from(binary.data, 'base64');\n\n // Use the n8n helper to prepare the binary data correctly for the next node\n // and attach it to the current item's binary object using its original property name.\n item.binary[inputPropertyName] = await this.helpers.prepareBinaryData(myBuffer, binary.fileName);\n }\n }\n\n // Add the processed item (with its new binary data) to our results array.\n allItems.push(item);\n}\n\n// Return all the processed items.\nreturn allItems;" }, "typeVersion": 2 }, { "id": "8a68bb24-ee5a-44f6-bfc2-0beafe04e099", "name": "Remove Binary Data", "type": "n8n-nodes-base.set", "position": [ 304, 96 ], "parameters": { "options": {}, "assignments": { "assignments": [ { "id": "66ff2460-78b7-4231-b6ef-108acb51cd23", "name": "new_field", "type": "string", "value": "test value" } ] } }, "typeVersion": 3.4, "alwaysOutputData": false }, { "id": "17dc22f1-d81f-4511-a9b6-85f33d95ddbb", "name": "Get n8n Logo (Binary)", "type": "n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest", "position": [ -32, 96 ], "parameters": { "url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/53/N8n-logo-new.svg/2560px-N8n-logo-new.svg.png", "options": {} }, "typeVersion": 4.2 }, { "id": "d1cd2a15-5ce1-4437-a123-d993550054c3", "name": "Start", "type": "n8n-nodes-base.manualTrigger", "position": [ -320, 96 ], "parameters": {}, "typeVersion": 1 }, { "id": "e3e5944b-f2dd-4411-bd83-ab7755d95962", "name": "Sticky Note (1)", "type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote", "position": [ -112, -48 ], "parameters": { "color": "7", "width": 256, "height": 192, "content": "This node fetches a binary image (the n8n logo) from a URL.\n\nIt's the source of the binary data we'll be working with.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n" }, "typeVersion": 1 }, { "id": "ded5a9bd-a23e-4022-be31-905e30bef576", "name": "Sticky Note (2)", "type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote", "position": [ 176, -128 ], "parameters": { "color": 7, "width": 352, "height": 272, "content": "\u26a0\ufe0f **Important Concept!**\n\nBy default, many n8n nodes (like the `Set` node in this case) **do not pass binary data** to subsequent nodes.\n\nThis node simulates a common scenario where binary data is \"lost\" in the flow, which the next `Code` node will address.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n" }, "typeVersion": 1 }, { "id": "da33a06c-e9a6-4945-bef7-4d0852ca78ef", "name": "Sticky Note (3)", "type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote", "position": [ 560, -320 ], "parameters": { "color": "6", "width": 400, "height": 464, "content": "### The Magic Happens Here!\n\nThis `Code` node demonstrates how to **re-access binary data** from *any* previous node in the workflow, even if it was dropped by an intermediate node.\n\nIt uses:\n* `$(previousNodeName).item`: To get the full item from the specified previous node.\n* `this.helpers.prepareBinaryData()`: To correctly re-attach the binary data to the current item.\n\n---\n\n\ud83d\udca1 **Customize:**\nIf you adapt this to your workflow, remember to update the `previousNodeName` variable in the code to match the name of the node that originally produced the binary data you want to retrieve.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n" }, "typeVersion": 1 }, { "id": "9085f0c7-28f9-4156-8e64-19d4556a4f13", "name": "Sticky Note (0)", "type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote", "position": [ -592, -464 ], "parameters": { "color": 0, "width": 448, "height": 608, "content": "## Re-Access Binary Data\n\nThis workflow demonstrates a powerful technique: **how to re-access binary data from any previous node in your workflow, even if an intermediate node removes it.**\n\nThis is crucial when you need to process binary files (like images, PDFs) across multiple steps, especially if a node in between doesn't preserve binary data by default.\n\n\n### To get started:\n1. Click **Run Workflow**.\n2. Observe the output of the `Re-Access Binary Data from Previous Node` to see the binary data re-attached.\n\n\n---\n\n### Automate your operations today\nYour time is valuable. Let us automate the boring stuff for you.\n\n**\ud83d\udc47 CHOOSE YOUR PATH:**\n\n[ **\u26a1\ufe0f I WANT A FREE AUDIT (2 min)** ](https://workflows.ac/audit?utm_source=n8n_template&utm_medium=workflow_note&utm_campaign=re_access_binary_data_from_any_previous_node&utm_content=8780)\n> *We've put our heart into this business evaluation machine.*\n\n[ **\ud83d\udca1 I HAVE A SPECIFIC REQUEST** ](https://workflows.ac/form?utm_source=n8n_template&utm_medium=workflow_note&utm_campaign=re_access_binary_data_from_any_previous_node&utm_content=8780)\n" }, "typeVersion": 1 }, { "id": "a5b9c4fe-fffc-4d48-8050-c0ce15eb6fe6", "name": "Sticky Note", "type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote", "position": [ 1008, -912 ], "parameters": { "color": 7, "width": 384, "height": 1056, "content": "---\n\n## Was this helpful? Let me know!\n[![clic](https://supastudio.ia2s.app/storage/v1/object/public/assets/n8n/clic_down_lucas.gif)](https://api.ia2s.app/form/templates/academy)\n\nI really hope this template helped you. Your feedback is what helps me create better resources for the n8n community.\n\n### **Have Feedback, a Question, or a Project Idea?**\n\n\n#### \u27a1\ufe0f **[Click here to go to the Contact Form](https://workflows.ac/form?utm_source=n8n_template&utm_medium=workflow_note&utm_campaign=re_access_binary_data_from_any_previous_node&utm_content=8780)**\n\nUse this single link for anything you need:\n\n* **Give Feedback:** Share your thoughts on this template, whether you found a typo, encountered an unexpected error, have a suggestion, or just want to say thanks!\n\n* **Automation Coaching:** Get personalized, one-on-one guidance to master n8n. We can work together to help you reach an expert level.\n\n* **Automation Consulting:** Have a complex business challenge or need custom workflows built from scratch? We offer a plug and play automation department for 8 to 88 people teams with unlimited automation requests.\n\n---\n\nHappy Automating!\nLucas Peyrin | [Workflows Accelerator](https://workflows.ac?utm_source=n8n_template&utm_medium=workflow_note&utm_campaign=re_access_binary_data_from_any_previous_node&utm_content=8780)" }, "typeVersion": 1 } ], "connections": { "Start": { "main": [ [ { "node": "Get n8n Logo (Binary)", "type": "main", "index": 0 } ] ] }, "Remove Binary Data": { "main": [ [ { "node": "Re-Access Binary Data from Previous Node", "type": "main", "index": 0 } ] ] }, "Get n8n Logo (Binary)": { "main": [ [ { "node": "Remove Binary Data", "type": "main", "index": 0 } ] ] } } }