Panth1823 This workflow corresponds to n8n.io template #10903 — we link there as the canonical source.
The workflow JSON
Copy or download the full n8n JSON below. Paste it into a new n8n workflow, add your credentials, activate. Full import guide →
{
"name": "Daily n8n Workflow Backup (Google Drive)",
"tags": [],
"nodes": [
{
"id": "sticky-main",
"name": "Main Description",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
-920,
500
],
"parameters": {
"color": 2,
"width": 380,
"height": 460,
"content": "## Daily n8n Workflow Backup\nAutomatically backs up all workflows to Google Drive daily.\n\n### How it works\n1. Creates a timestamped folder in Google Drive\n2. Fetches all workflows from n8n\n3. Converts workflows to JSON and uploads them\n4. Deletes backups older than 7 days\n\n### Setup steps\n1. Configure n8n API credentials\n2. Connect Google Drive OAuth2 account\n3. **Important:** Open the 'Cleanup Old Backups' node and paste your Parent Folder ID into the code.\n4. Adjust the Schedule Trigger (default: 11 PM daily)"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "sticky-section-1",
"name": "Section 1",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
-460,
500
],
"parameters": {
"color": 7,
"width": 680,
"height": 500,
"content": "## 1. Initialization\nStarts the schedule and creates the daily backup folder."
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "sticky-section-2",
"name": "Section 2",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
260,
500
],
"parameters": {
"color": 7,
"width": 860,
"height": 500,
"content": "## 2. Process & Upload\nLoops through workflows, converts to JSON, and saves to Drive."
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "sticky-section-3",
"name": "Section 3",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
1160,
500
],
"parameters": {
"color": 7,
"width": 400,
"height": 500,
"content": "## 3. Maintenance\nDeletes backup folders older than 7 days."
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "convert-json",
"name": "Convert to JSON",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.convertToFile",
"position": [
560,
640
],
"parameters": {
"options": {
"fileName": "={{ $json.name }}.json"
},
"operation": "toJson"
},
"typeVersion": 1.1
},
{
"id": "manual-trigger",
"name": "When clicking \u2018Execute workflow\u2019",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.manualTrigger",
"position": [
-400,
580
],
"parameters": {},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "create-folder",
"name": "Create Backup Folder",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleDrive",
"position": [
-160,
640
],
"parameters": {
"name": "=Workflow Backups {{ $now.format('yyyy-MM-dd') }}",
"driveId": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "list",
"value": "My Drive"
},
"options": {},
"folderId": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "list",
"value": "",
"cachedResultUrl": "",
"cachedResultName": "Select Folder in Drive Node"
},
"resource": "folder"
},
"credentials": {
"googleDriveOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"typeVersion": 3
},
{
"id": "schedule-trigger",
"name": "Schedule Trigger",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.scheduleTrigger",
"position": [
-400,
720
],
"parameters": {
"rule": {
"interval": [
{
"triggerAtHour": 23
}
]
}
},
"typeVersion": 1.2
},
{
"id": "fetch-workflows",
"name": "Fetch Workflows",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.n8n",
"position": [
40,
640
],
"parameters": {
"filters": {},
"requestOptions": {}
},
"credentials": {
"n8nApi": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "loop-workflows",
"name": "Loop Workflows",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.splitInBatches",
"position": [
320,
640
],
"parameters": {
"options": {}
},
"typeVersion": 3
},
{
"id": "upload-drive",
"name": "Upload to Drive",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleDrive",
"position": [
820,
700
],
"parameters": {
"name": "={{ $json.fileName }}",
"driveId": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "list",
"value": "My Drive"
},
"options": {},
"folderId": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "id",
"value": "={{ $('Create Backup Folder').item.json.id }}"
}
},
"credentials": {
"googleDriveOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"typeVersion": 3
},
{
"id": "cleanup-code",
"name": "Cleanup Old Backups",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.code",
"position": [
1220,
640
],
"parameters": {
"jsCode": "// CONFIGURATION: \n// 1. Paste the Folder ID where you want backups to live below.\n// 2. Ensure this ID matches the parent folder used in the 'Create Backup Folder' node.\n\nconst parentFolderId = 'PASTE_YOUR_GOOGLE_DRIVE_FOLDER_ID_HERE';\nconst daysToKeep = 7;\n\n// ----------------------------------------\n\ntry {\n // List all folders in the backup directory\n const options = {\n qs: {\n q: `'${parentFolderId}' in parents and mimeType='application/vnd.google-apps.folder' and name contains 'Workflow Backups'`,\n fields: 'files(id,name,createdTime)'\n }\n };\n \n const response = await this.helpers.httpRequestWithAuthentication.call(\n this,\n 'googleDriveOAuth2Api',\n options\n );\n \n const folders = response.files || [];\n const cutoffDate = new Date();\n cutoffDate.setDate(cutoffDate.getDate() - daysToKeep);\n \n const foldersToDelete = folders.filter(folder => {\n const folderDate = new Date(folder.createdTime);\n return folderDate < cutoffDate;\n });\n \n console.log(`Found ${folders.length} backup folders, deleting ${foldersToDelete.length} old ones`);\n \n // Delete old folders\n for (const folder of foldersToDelete) {\n try {\n await this.helpers.httpRequestWithAuthentication.call(\n this,\n 'googleDriveOAuth2Api',\n {\n method: 'DELETE',\n url: `https://www.googleapis.com/drive/v3/files/${folder.id}`\n }\n );\n console.log(`Deleted folder: ${folder.name} (${folder.id})`);\n } catch (error) {\n console.error(`Failed to delete folder ${folder.id}:`, error.message);\n }\n }\n \n return [{ json: { deleted: foldersToDelete.length, remaining: folders.length - foldersToDelete.length } }];\n \n} catch (error) {\n console.error('Cleanup failed:', error.message);\n return [{ json: { error: error.message, status: 'cleanup_failed' } }];\n}"
},
"credentials": {
"googleDriveOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"typeVersion": 2
}
],
"active": false,
"settings": {
"callerPolicy": "workflowsFromSameOwner",
"executionOrder": "v1"
},
"connections": {
"Loop Workflows": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Cleanup Old Backups",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
],
[
{
"node": "Convert to JSON",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Convert to JSON": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Upload to Drive",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Fetch Workflows": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Loop Workflows",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Upload to Drive": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Loop Workflows",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Schedule Trigger": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Create Backup Folder",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Create Backup Folder": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Fetch Workflows",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"When clicking \u2018Execute workflow\u2019": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Create Backup Folder",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
}
}
}
Credentials you'll need
Each integration node will prompt for credentials when you import. We strip credential IDs before publishing — you'll add your own.
googleDriveOAuth2Apin8nApi
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About this workflow
Automatically backs up all workflows to Google Drive daily. Triggers daily at 11 PM (or manually on demand) Creates a timestamped backup folder in Google Drive Fetches all workflows from your n8n instance Converts each workflow to a JSON file Uploads files to the backup folder…
Source: https://n8n.io/workflows/10903/ — original creator credit. Request a take-down →
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