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 →
{
"nodes": [
{
"id": "1e89a8ad-90cf-4040-b59e-1b4933ea4e69",
"name": "Sticky Note",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
1740,
-80
],
"parameters": {
"color": 4,
"width": 982.895112064014,
"height": 248.06218763804304,
"content": "MOVE CURRENT BACKUPS TO OLD FOLDER"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "f998e295-eafd-420a-9ba9-69571b4ab005",
"name": "Sticky Note2",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
1740,
500
],
"parameters": {
"width": 980.8812626356395,
"height": 188.38611225559103,
"content": "PURGE BACKUPS OLDER THEN 30 DAYS\n"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "a94facb5-c0df-4ba4-8620-3427aca24333",
"name": "Move Binary Data",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.moveBinaryData",
"position": [
2000,
280
],
"parameters": {
"mode": "jsonToBinary",
"options": {
"fileName": "={{ $json.name }}-{{ $json.active === false ? 'inactive' : $json.active === true ? 'active' : 'unknown' }}",
"useRawData": true
}
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "049ac29e-36f2-4a14-9d3a-6fd9c9d8a744",
"name": "Sticky Note3",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
260,
-80
],
"parameters": {
"color": 2,
"width": 1003.460056384994,
"height": 755.833854865218,
"content": "## get Google Drive folders"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "e830c989-815d-4c79-806e-136a82a18d72",
"name": "Sticky Note4",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
1300,
-80
],
"parameters": {
"color": 6,
"width": 427.1093081837156,
"height": 753.2799109651138,
"content": "## Ignore any other folders other than: n8n_backups\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n (it is important that you created this folder)"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "4197519c-0cf7-49dc-be45-a5c0ab7598c2",
"name": "IGNORE FILES",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.filter",
"position": [
1440,
40
],
"parameters": {
"options": {},
"conditions": {
"options": {
"version": 2,
"leftValue": "",
"caseSensitive": true,
"typeValidation": "strict"
},
"combinator": "and",
"conditions": [
{
"id": "98415e9e-5354-4223-9107-ef3ade30c2f0",
"operator": {
"name": "filter.operator.equals",
"type": "string",
"operation": "equals"
},
"leftValue": "={{ $node[\"GET CURRENT FOLDER\"].json.name }}",
"rightValue": "n8n_backups"
}
]
}
},
"typeVersion": 2.2
},
{
"id": "d3f6191a-80c6-43dd-923f-e98f9ade02f4",
"name": "Create n8n_backups",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleDrive",
"position": [
1000,
340
],
"parameters": {
"name": "n8n_backups",
"driveId": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "list",
"value": "My Drive"
},
"options": {},
"folderId": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "list",
"value": "root",
"cachedResultName": "/ (Root folder)"
},
"resource": "folder"
},
"credentials": {
"googleDriveOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"typeVersion": 3
},
{
"id": "b0ff6563-4ad5-4615-844a-aea766cf0d40",
"name": "Create n8n_old",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleDrive",
"position": [
1000,
500
],
"parameters": {
"name": "n8n_old",
"driveId": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "list",
"value": "My Drive"
},
"options": {},
"folderId": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "list",
"value": "root",
"cachedResultName": "/ (Root folder)"
},
"resource": "folder"
},
"credentials": {
"googleDriveOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"typeVersion": 3
},
{
"id": "d22a25ea-e1fd-4434-b050-480760f6ba11",
"name": "Sticky Note8",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
300,
540
],
"parameters": {
"color": 6,
"width": 355.73762189847923,
"height": 105.6805438265643,
"content": "## Contact me \n**By Mail**. [Send Mail](mailto:nuntius.creative.hub@gmail.com)"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "b34e1e76-a8b8-4e0d-921b-1a773192e027",
"name": "Sticky Note10",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
900,
220
],
"parameters": {
"color": 5,
"width": 327.6965514381564,
"height": 451.756147757587,
"content": "## Since the folder does not exist, it creates a new one.\nn8n_backups\nn8n_old"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "f0796631-ecb8-4603-838f-0ac1d1bf0a7b",
"name": "GET CURRENT FOLDER",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleDrive",
"onError": "continueRegularOutput",
"position": [
320,
240
],
"parameters": {
"filter": {
"whatToSearch": "folders"
},
"options": {},
"resource": "fileFolder",
"returnAll": true
},
"credentials": {
"googleDriveOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"executeOnce": true,
"notesInFlow": true,
"retryOnFail": true,
"typeVersion": 3,
"alwaysOutputData": true
},
{
"id": "8afbde8d-ae70-427c-8883-ffd49aea7ba7",
"name": "Code",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.code",
"position": [
500,
240
],
"parameters": {
"jsCode": "const items = $input.all();\nconst requiredNames = [\"n8n_old\", \"n8n_backups\"];\n\n// Filtrar los nombres de la entrada\nconst folderNames = items.map(item => item.json.name);\n\n// Encontrar los nombres que faltan\nconst missingNames = requiredNames.filter(name => !folderNames.includes(name));\n\nif (missingNames.length === 0) {\n return [{ json: { message: \"ok\" } }];\n} else {\n return [{ json: { message: `Faltan los siguientes: ${missingNames.join(', ')}` } }];\n}\n"
},
"typeVersion": 2
},
{
"id": "2130d3d8-23e4-48d6-b3a0-7eab5971a71d",
"name": "If n8n_old",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.if",
"position": [
680,
360
],
"parameters": {
"options": {},
"conditions": {
"options": {
"version": 2,
"leftValue": "",
"caseSensitive": true,
"typeValidation": "strict"
},
"combinator": "and",
"conditions": [
{
"id": "43bd468e-1018-4b45-9448-c51835ed65bc",
"operator": {
"type": "string",
"operation": "contains"
},
"leftValue": "={{ $json.message }}",
"rightValue": "n8n_old"
}
]
}
},
"typeVersion": 2.2
},
{
"id": "76a4ab52-b260-4a1e-be77-a7246a06b963",
"name": "If1 n8n_backups",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.if",
"position": [
680,
120
],
"parameters": {
"options": {},
"conditions": {
"options": {
"version": 2,
"leftValue": "",
"caseSensitive": true,
"typeValidation": "strict"
},
"combinator": "and",
"conditions": [
{
"id": "43bd468e-1018-4b45-9448-c51835ed65bc",
"operator": {
"type": "string",
"operation": "contains"
},
"leftValue": "={{ $json.message }}",
"rightValue": "n8n_backups"
}
]
}
},
"typeVersion": 2.2
},
{
"id": "0a215059-a7bf-4892-b584-1f037b42a59c",
"name": "GET CURRENT FOLDER CREATES",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleDrive",
"onError": "continueRegularOutput",
"position": [
1100,
40
],
"parameters": {
"filter": {
"whatToSearch": "folders"
},
"options": {},
"resource": "fileFolder",
"returnAll": true
},
"credentials": {
"googleDriveOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"executeOnce": true,
"notesInFlow": true,
"retryOnFail": true,
"typeVersion": 3,
"alwaysOutputData": true
},
{
"id": "653d641c-b56f-4a02-b3bf-990b4f6b99f3",
"name": "Merge mensage",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.merge",
"position": [
920,
40
],
"parameters": {
"mode": "combine",
"options": {},
"combinationMode": "mergeByPosition"
},
"typeVersion": 2.1
},
{
"id": "ae940b77-107a-4e6f-a635-a69876b342ea",
"name": "GET CURRENT BACKUPS1",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleDrive",
"position": [
1800,
0
],
"parameters": {
"filter": {
"folderId": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "id",
"value": "={{ $json.id }}"
}
},
"options": {
"fields": [
"name",
"id"
]
},
"resource": "fileFolder",
"returnAll": true,
"queryString": ".json"
},
"credentials": {
"googleDriveOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"typeVersion": 3
},
{
"id": "7caa0190-9bd5-4572-80e3-e3f3b34885a6",
"name": "Sticky Note5",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
640,
-40
],
"parameters": {
"color": 7,
"width": 203.08765089203305,
"height": 542.95115693689,
"content": "## Does a folder exist?, if it does not exist it creates it"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "1a77a0fd-dfdd-456d-adfc-6da34a4ccbab",
"name": "MOVE INTO OLD FOLDER",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleDrive",
"onError": "continueRegularOutput",
"position": [
2480,
-20
],
"parameters": {
"fileId": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "id",
"value": "={{ $json.id }}"
},
"driveId": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "list",
"value": "My Drive",
"cachedResultUrl": "https://drive.google.com/drive/my-drive",
"cachedResultName": "My Drive"
},
"folderId": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "id",
"value": "={{ $('GET CURRENT FOLDER').item.json.id }}"
},
"operation": "move"
},
"credentials": {
"googleDriveOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"typeVersion": 3,
"alwaysOutputData": true
},
{
"id": "f9fad351-8e82-49a3-a7da-7a43b0735c34",
"name": "UPLOAD WORKFLOWS",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleDrive",
"position": [
2480,
260
],
"parameters": {
"name": "={{ $('Split In Batches').item.binary.data.fileName }}-{{ $node[\"n8n\"].json[\"updatedAt\"] }}.json\n\n",
"options": {},
"parents": [
"={{ $('IGNORE FILES').item.json.id }}"
],
"binaryData": true,
"authentication": "oAuth2"
},
"credentials": {
"googleDriveOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "c8496ac4-b767-4fc3-bda3-12c0550763c4",
"name": "Sticky Note6",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
-180,
-80
],
"parameters": {
"color": 3,
"width": 397.07512898799075,
"height": 759.2757638563562,
"content": "## Description\nThis template creates a nightly backup of all n8n workflows and saves them to a GitHub folder. Each night, the previous night's backups are moved to an \u201cn8n_old\u201d folder and renamed with the corresponding date.\n\nBackups older than a specified age are automatically deleted (this feature is active for 30 days, you can remove it if you don't want the backups to be deleted).\n\n## Prerequisites\n\n- Google Drive account and credentials **Get** from the following link. [Link](https://console.cloud.google.com/apis/credentials/oauthclient/)\n- n8n version 1.67.1 or higher\n- N8n api key **Guide** from the following link. [Link](https://witmovil.com/where-to-create-the-api-key-in-n8n/)\n- A destination folder for backups:\n\u201cn8n_old\u201d\n\u201cn8n_backups\u201d\n(if it doesn't exist, create it)\n\n## Configuration\nUpdate all Google Drive nodes with your credentials.\nEdit the Schedule Trigger node with the desired time to run the backup.\nIf you want to automatically purge old backups.\n\nEdit the \u201cPURGE DAYS\u201d node to specify the age of the backups you want to delete.\nEnable the \u201cPURGE DAYS\u201d node and the 3 subsequent nodes.\nEnable the workflow to run on the specified schedule."
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "4654d857-8436-4922-aa9a-9f00d357e581",
"name": "Item Lists",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.itemLists",
"position": [
2000,
0
],
"parameters": {
"options": {},
"fieldToSplitOut": "id"
},
"typeVersion": 3
},
{
"id": "9e9cc97d-1eff-40ea-9a1d-896681330b5e",
"name": "Split In Batches2",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.splitInBatches",
"position": [
2220,
0
],
"parameters": {
"options": {
"reset": false
},
"batchSize": 1
},
"typeVersion": 2
},
{
"id": "1bd963e2-6533-4d71-8790-fa840af822ab",
"name": "Split In Batches",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.splitInBatches",
"position": [
2220,
280
],
"parameters": {
"options": {
"reset": false
},
"batchSize": 1
},
"typeVersion": 2
},
{
"id": "aa9a5b1c-2c6b-4aff-af66-f15271eed643",
"name": "n8n",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.n8n",
"position": [
1800,
280
],
"parameters": {
"filters": {},
"returnAll": false,
"requestOptions": {}
},
"credentials": {
"n8nApi": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "d6455261-c3af-4f5a-8f7e-0dd57c5306e5",
"name": "LIST OLD BACKUPS",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleDrive",
"position": [
1960,
520
],
"parameters": {
"filter": {
"folderId": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "list",
"value": "1UcusrWKnbFl3cJYIjaDdp1VCgreg2oeV",
"cachedResultUrl": "https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1UcusrWKnbFl3cJYIjaDdp1VCgreg2oeV",
"cachedResultName": "n8n_old"
}
},
"options": {
"fields": [
"name",
"id"
]
},
"resource": "fileFolder",
"returnAll": true,
"queryString": ".json"
},
"credentials": {
"googleDriveOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"typeVersion": 3
},
{
"id": "aa1878bd-b90e-4f37-bf2e-bb4fd72b4571",
"name": "DELETE OLD BACKUP",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleDrive",
"onError": "continueRegularOutput",
"position": [
2560,
500
],
"parameters": {
"fileId": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "id",
"value": "={{ $json.id }}"
},
"options": {
"deletePermanently": true
},
"operation": "deleteFile"
},
"credentials": {
"googleDriveOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"typeVersion": 3,
"alwaysOutputData": true
},
{
"id": "bde79076-3fb4-4f03-a907-fc492f88a17e",
"name": "Item Lists old",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.itemLists",
"position": [
2160,
520
],
"parameters": {
"options": {},
"fieldToSplitOut": "id"
},
"typeVersion": 3
},
{
"id": "0bd6da8c-99ed-47ea-bb26-11e08e2f76e1",
"name": "Split In Batches old",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.splitInBatches",
"position": [
2360,
520
],
"parameters": {
"options": {
"reset": false
},
"batchSize": 1
},
"typeVersion": 2
},
{
"id": "fa6fb3be-baba-4bbe-9900-b0949507d164",
"name": "Sticky Note9",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
1320,
380
],
"parameters": {
"color": 3,
"width": 344.2988945561964,
"height": 232.84367238845454,
"content": "## Bug fixes v3:\n* Fixed move section now detects more than 13 files and moves them to n8n_old folder\n* Changed file filtering\n* In the next version \"Split In Batches\" will be changed to \"Loop Over Items\""
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "cf2d27b7-8601-466a-8331-c767b9c0c25a",
"name": "Sticky Note1",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
1740,
220
],
"parameters": {
"color": 5,
"width": 984.8018228465335,
"height": 267.23574473121596,
"content": "BACKUP ALL CURRENT WORKFLOWS limit 100 (Change)"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "484b37a9-8b21-4887-9443-bcb8ca34b57d",
"name": "Schedule Trigger",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.scheduleTrigger",
"position": [
320,
20
],
"parameters": {
"rule": {
"interval": [
{}
]
}
},
"typeVersion": 1.1
},
{
"id": "40a6f21f-f044-4bb5-8d01-1fbdc4185eae",
"name": "Schedule Trigger1",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.scheduleTrigger",
"position": [
1760,
560
],
"parameters": {
"rule": {
"interval": [
{
"daysInterval": 30
}
]
}
},
"typeVersion": 1.1
}
],
"connections": {
"n8n": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Move Binary Data",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Code": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "If n8n_old",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
},
{
"node": "If1 n8n_backups",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"If n8n_old": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Create n8n_old",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
],
[
{
"node": "Merge mensage",
"type": "main",
"index": 1
}
]
]
},
"Item Lists": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Split In Batches2",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"IGNORE FILES": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "GET CURRENT BACKUPS1",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
},
{
"node": "n8n",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Merge mensage": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "GET CURRENT FOLDER CREATES",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Create n8n_old": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "GET CURRENT FOLDER",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Item Lists old": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Split In Batches old",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"If1 n8n_backups": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Create n8n_backups",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
],
[
{
"node": "Merge mensage",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"LIST OLD BACKUPS": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Item Lists old",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Move Binary Data": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Split In Batches",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Schedule Trigger": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "GET CURRENT FOLDER",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Split In Batches": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "UPLOAD WORKFLOWS",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"UPLOAD WORKFLOWS": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Split In Batches",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"DELETE OLD BACKUP": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Split In Batches old",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Split In Batches2": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "MOVE INTO OLD FOLDER",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Create n8n_backups": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "GET CURRENT FOLDER",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"GET CURRENT FOLDER": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Code",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"GET CURRENT BACKUPS1": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Item Lists",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"MOVE INTO OLD FOLDER": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Split In Batches2",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Split In Batches old": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "DELETE OLD BACKUP",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"GET CURRENT FOLDER CREATES": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "IGNORE FILES",
"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
Pro
For the full experience including quality scoring and batch install features for each workflow upgrade to Pro
How this works
This workflow automates the organisation and backup of binary files from n8n workflows, ensuring your data remains secure and accessible without manual effort. It suits users managing multiple n8n instances who need reliable archiving to prevent loss during updates or migrations. The key step involves filtering files with the IGNORE FILES node before creating structured backups in Google Drive folders like n8n_backups and n8n_old, using moveBinaryData to handle transfers efficiently.
Use this workflow for scheduled nightly backups of n8n binary data to maintain compliance or recover quickly from errors. Avoid it if your setup lacks Google Drive integration or involves non-binary files, as it focuses solely on item lists and binaries. Common variations include adjusting the cron trigger for weekly runs or adding filters to exclude specific file types for targeted archiving.
About this workflow
Code Itemlists. Uses stickyNote, moveBinaryData, googleDrive, itemLists. Scheduled trigger; 33 nodes.
Source: https://github.com/Zie619/n8n-workflows — original creator credit. Request a take-down →
Related workflows
Workflows that share integrations, category, or trigger type with this one. All free to copy and import.
This template creates a nightly backup of all n8n workflows and saves them to a Google Drive folder. Each night, the previous night's backups are moved to an “n8n_old” folder and renamed with the corr
Move Binary Data, Google Drive, Item Lists +1
Imagine the sinking feeling: hours, weeks, or even months of meticulous work building your n8n workflows, suddenly gone. A server crash, an accidental deletion, data corruption, or an unexpected platf
Google Drive, n8n, Move Binary Data
I build automation workflows for n8n and Make. This ready-to-use workflow is designed to automatically export and back up all your n8n workflows to a designated Google Drive folder, organized by date.
Move Binary Data, Google Drive, n8n
This template provides an automatic backup solution for all your n8n workflows, saving them directly to Google Drive. It’s designed for freelancers, agencies, and businesses that want to keep their au
n8n, Google Drive, Move Binary Data
Workflow 2469. Uses moveBinaryData, googleDrive, itemLists, n8n. Scheduled trigger; 33 nodes.
Move Binary Data, Google Drive, Item Lists +1