Muhammad Saqib This workflow corresponds to n8n.io template #8163 — we link there as the canonical source.
This workflow follows the Gmail → Google Drive recipe pattern — see all workflows that pair these two integrations.
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": "Create Certificates",
"tags": [],
"nodes": [
{
"id": "node1",
"name": "Google Sheets Trigger",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleSheetsTrigger",
"notes": "Getting data from sheets",
"position": [
0,
0
],
"parameters": {
"event": "rowAdded",
"options": {},
"pollTimes": {
"item": [
{
"mode": "everyMinute"
}
]
},
"sheetName": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "list",
"value": "gid=0",
"cachedResultUrl": "YOUR_GOOGLE_SHEET_URL#gid=0",
"cachedResultName": "Sheet1"
},
"documentId": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "url",
"value": "YOUR_GOOGLE_SHEET_URL"
}
},
"credentials": {
"googleSheetsTriggerOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"notesInFlow": true,
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "node2",
"name": "Copy file",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleDrive",
"notes": "Copy certificate template",
"position": [
208,
0
],
"parameters": {
"name": "={{ $json.Name }} Certificate",
"fileId": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "id",
"value": "YOUR_SLIDES_TEMPLATE_ID"
},
"driveId": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "list",
"value": "My Drive"
},
"options": {},
"folderId": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "url",
"value": "YOUR_TARGET_FOLDER_URL"
},
"operation": "copy",
"sameFolder": false
},
"credentials": {
"googleDriveOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"notesInFlow": true,
"typeVersion": 3
},
{
"id": "node3",
"name": "Replace text in a presentation",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleSlides",
"notes": "Change text",
"position": [
416,
0
],
"parameters": {
"textUi": {
"textValues": [
{
"text": "[NAME]",
"replaceText": "={{ $('Google Sheets Trigger').item.json.Name }}",
"pageObjectIds": [
"p1"
]
}
]
},
"options": {},
"operation": "replaceText",
"presentationId": "={{ $json.id }}"
},
"credentials": {
"googleSlidesOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"notesInFlow": true,
"typeVersion": 2
},
{
"id": "node4",
"name": "Download file",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleDrive",
"position": [
624,
0
],
"parameters": {
"fileId": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "id",
"value": "={{ $json.presentationId }}"
},
"options": {
"fileName": "={{ $('Google Sheets Trigger').item.json.Name }} Certificate",
"googleFileConversion": {
"conversion": {
"slidesToFormat": "application/pdf"
}
}
},
"operation": "download"
},
"credentials": {
"googleDriveOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"typeVersion": 3
},
{
"id": "node5",
"name": "Upload file",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleDrive",
"notes": "Saving PDFs",
"position": [
864,
192
],
"parameters": {
"name": "={{ $('Google Sheets Trigger').item.json.Name }} Certificate.pdf",
"driveId": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "list",
"value": "My Drive"
},
"options": {},
"folderId": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "url",
"value": "YOUR_FINAL_PDF_FOLDER_URL"
}
},
"credentials": {
"googleDriveOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"notesInFlow": true,
"typeVersion": 3
},
{
"id": "node6",
"name": "Delete a file",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleDrive",
"notes": "Deleting temporary PPT",
"position": [
1152,
176
],
"parameters": {
"fileId": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "id",
"value": "={{ $('Replace text in a presentation').item.json.presentationId }}"
},
"options": {},
"operation": "deleteFile"
},
"credentials": {
"googleDriveOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"notesInFlow": true,
"typeVersion": 3
},
{
"id": "node7",
"name": "Send a message",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.gmail",
"position": [
864,
16
],
"parameters": {
"sendTo": "={{ $('Google Sheets Trigger').item.json.Email }}",
"message": "=Dear {{ $('Google Sheets Trigger').item.json.Name }},\nCongratulations on completing the program \ud83c\udf89.\nPlease find your certificate attached.\n\nBest regards,\nYour Team",
"options": {
"attachmentsUi": {
"attachmentsBinary": [
{
"property": "data"
}
]
}
},
"subject": "Your Certificate",
"emailType": "text"
},
"credentials": {
"gmailOAuth2": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"typeVersion": 2.1
},
{
"id": "note1",
"name": "Sticky Note",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
80,
784
],
"parameters": {
"width": 752,
"height": 1008,
"content": "## Workflow Guide: Auto-Certificate Generator \ud83c\udf93\n\n**Step 1 \u2013 Google Sheets Trigger** \nWatches for new rows in the sheet (Name, Email). \nEach new row starts the workflow.\n\n**Step 2 \u2013 Copy File (Google Drive)** \nCopies the Google Slides certificate template. \nNames the file `<Student Name> Certificate`.\n\n**Step 3 \u2013 Replace Text (Google Slides)** \nFinds placeholder `[NAME]` in the copied template. \nReplaces it with the student's actual name.\n\n**Step 4 \u2013 Download File (Google Drive)** \nExports the customized Slides file as PDF. \nFile name: `<Student Name> Certificate.pdf`.\n\n**Step 5 \u2013 Upload File (Google Drive)** \nSaves the generated PDF into the selected folder. \nKeeps all certificates organized.\n\n**Step 6 \u2013 Delete File (Google Drive)** \nDeletes the temporary Slides copy. \nOnly PDFs remain in Drive.\n\n**Step 7 \u2013 Send a message (Gmail)** \nSends the generated certificate by email to the student.\n\n---\n\n\ud83d\udccc Notes: \n- Update **Sheet ID**, **Slides template ID**, **Destination Folder ID**, and **Gmail credentials** with your own. \n- Ensure your template has `[NAME]` exactly where the student name should appear. \n"
},
"typeVersion": 1
}
],
"active": false,
"settings": {
"executionOrder": "v1"
},
"connections": {
"Copy file": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Replace text in a presentation",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Upload file": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Delete a file",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Download file": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Send a message",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
},
{
"node": "Upload file",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Google Sheets Trigger": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Copy file",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Replace text in a presentation": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Download file",
"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.
gmailOAuth2googleDriveOAuth2ApigoogleSheetsTriggerOAuth2ApigoogleSlidesOAuth2Api
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About this workflow
This workflow is designed for educators, trainers, and event organizers who want to automatically generate and send digital certificates.
Source: https://n8n.io/workflows/8163/ — original creator credit. Request a take-down →
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