This workflow follows the Execute Workflow Trigger → 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 →
{
"nodes": [
{
"parameters": {
"workflowInputs": {
"values": [
{
"name": "target_path"
},
{
"name": "root_folder_id"
},
{
"name": "root_path"
},
{
"name": "current_folder_id"
},
{
"name": "current_path"
}
]
}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.executeWorkflowTrigger",
"typeVersion": 1.1,
"position": [
5376,
2064
],
"id": "0e7d5f9e-d032-488a-b84e-20670364c8c8",
"name": "Trigger"
},
{
"parameters": {
"conditions": {
"options": {
"caseSensitive": true,
"leftValue": "",
"typeValidation": "strict",
"version": 2
},
"conditions": [
{
"id": "is-recursion",
"leftValue": "={{ $json.current_folder_id }}",
"rightValue": "",
"operator": {
"type": "string",
"operation": "exists"
}
}
],
"combinator": "and"
},
"options": {}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.if",
"typeVersion": 2.2,
"position": [
5600,
2064
],
"id": "581b29d1-6b74-4e46-98a2-6834f1daf5c8",
"name": "Is Recursion?"
},
{
"parameters": {
"jsCode": "const targetPath = $('Trigger').item.json.target_path;\nconst rootPath = $('Trigger').item.json.root_path;\nconst rootFolderId = $('Trigger').item.json.root_folder_id;\n\n// Generate ancestor paths (longest first)\nconst paths = [];\nlet p = targetPath;\nwhile (p.length >= rootPath.length) {\n paths.push(p);\n if (p === rootPath) break;\n p = p.substring(0, p.lastIndexOf('/'));\n}\n\n// Pad to 4 paths (use root_path for unused slots)\nwhile (paths.length < 4) {\n paths.push(rootPath);\n}\n\nreturn [{\n json: {\n path1: paths[0],\n path2: paths[1],\n path3: paths[2],\n path4: paths[3],\n target_path: targetPath,\n root_path: rootPath,\n root_folder_id: rootFolderId\n }\n}];"
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.code",
"typeVersion": 2,
"position": [
5824,
2064
],
"id": "68c4b519-c750-4c7c-9a78-a490310756b2",
"name": "Generate Ancestor Paths"
},
{
"parameters": {
"documentId": {
"__rl": true,
"value": "16vuiDJEZz3EOMN-8z7CF_1ENDWzjfORyykFNxqhGOWE",
"mode": "list",
"cachedResultName": "PathToIDLookup",
"cachedResultUrl": "https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16vuiDJEZz3EOMN-8z7CF_1ENDWzjfORyykFNxqhGOWE/edit?usp=drivesdk"
},
"sheetName": {
"__rl": true,
"value": "gid=0",
"mode": "list",
"cachedResultName": "Sheet1",
"cachedResultUrl": "https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16vuiDJEZz3EOMN-8z7CF_1ENDWzjfORyykFNxqhGOWE/edit#gid=0"
},
"filtersUI": {
"values": [
{
"lookupColumn": "path",
"lookupValue": "={{ $json.path1 }}"
},
{
"lookupColumn": "path",
"lookupValue": "={{ $json.path2 }}"
},
{
"lookupColumn": "path",
"lookupValue": "={{ $json.path3 }}"
},
{
"lookupColumn": "path",
"lookupValue": "={{ $json.path4 }}"
}
]
},
"combineFilters": "OR",
"options": {}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleSheets",
"typeVersion": 4.7,
"position": [
6048,
2064
],
"id": "858d6ce1-c090-4995-8545-e606f129b296",
"name": "Cache OR Query",
"alwaysOutputData": true,
"credentials": {
"googleSheetsOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
}
},
{
"parameters": {
"jsCode": "// Get cache results from OR query\nconst cacheResults = $input.all();\nconst meta = $('Generate Ancestor Paths').item.json;\nconst targetPath = meta.target_path;\nconst rootPath = meta.root_path;\nconst rootFolderId = meta.root_folder_id;\n\nlet currentPath = rootPath;\nlet currentFolderId = rootFolderId;\n\n// Find deepest cached path that is a prefix of the target\nlet deepestCached = null;\nfor (const item of cacheResults) {\n if (item.json.path && item.json.folder_id && targetPath.startsWith(item.json.path)) {\n if (!deepestCached || item.json.path.length > deepestCached.path.length) {\n deepestCached = { path: item.json.path, folder_id: item.json.folder_id };\n }\n }\n}\n\n// If target is cached, we're done!\nif (deepestCached && deepestCached.path === targetPath) {\n return [{ json: {\n status: 'done',\n folder_id: deepestCached.folder_id,\n folder_path: targetPath\n }}];\n}\n\n// Use deepest cached as starting point\nif (deepestCached) {\n currentPath = deepestCached.path;\n currentFolderId = deepestCached.folder_id;\n}\n\n// Calculate next segment to traverse\nconst remaining = targetPath.substring(currentPath.length);\nconst segments = remaining.split('/').filter(s => s);\nconst nextSegment = segments[0];\nconst nextPath = currentPath + '/' + nextSegment;\n\nreturn [{\n json: {\n status: 'traverse',\n target_path: targetPath,\n root_folder_id: rootFolderId,\n root_path: rootPath,\n current_folder_id: currentFolderId,\n current_path: currentPath,\n next_segment: nextSegment,\n next_path: nextPath\n }\n}];"
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.code",
"typeVersion": 2,
"position": [
6272,
2064
],
"id": "73f44d44-16ca-420e-b798-c2aeee75eeb5",
"name": "Find Deepest Cached"
},
{
"parameters": {
"rules": {
"values": [
{
"conditions": {
"options": {
"caseSensitive": true,
"leftValue": "",
"typeValidation": "strict",
"version": 2
},
"conditions": [
{
"id": "is-done",
"leftValue": "={{ $json.status }}",
"rightValue": "done",
"operator": {
"type": "string",
"operation": "equals"
}
}
],
"combinator": "and"
},
"renameOutput": true,
"outputKey": "done"
}
]
},
"options": {
"fallbackOutput": "extra",
"allMatchingOutputs": false
}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.switch",
"typeVersion": 3.2,
"position": [
6496,
2064
],
"id": "60b3c304-6657-4527-a468-31ae87335629",
"name": "Status Check"
},
{
"parameters": {
"assignments": {
"assignments": [
{
"id": "out-id",
"name": "folder_id",
"value": "={{ $json.folder_id }}",
"type": "string"
},
{
"id": "out-path",
"name": "folder_path",
"value": "={{ $json.folder_path }}",
"type": "string"
}
]
},
"options": {}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.set",
"typeVersion": 3.4,
"position": [
6720,
2064
],
"id": "96c584e5-c327-4037-91e0-9839bc2243de",
"name": "Return (Cache Hit)"
},
{
"parameters": {
"jsCode": "// MERGE POINT: receives from TWO paths\n// Path 1 (recursion): from Is Recursion? (no 'status' field)\n// Path 2 (first call): from Status Check (has 'status' field)\n\nconst input = $input.item.json;\n\nconst targetPath = input.target_path;\nconst rootPath = input.root_path;\nconst rootFolderId = input.root_folder_id;\n\nlet currentPath, currentFolderId, nextSegment, nextPath;\n\nif (input.status) {\n // First call path - has status='traverse', already calculated\n currentPath = input.current_path;\n currentFolderId = input.current_folder_id;\n nextSegment = input.next_segment;\n nextPath = input.next_path;\n} else {\n // Recursion path - no status, need to calculate next segment\n currentPath = input.current_path;\n currentFolderId = input.current_folder_id;\n\n const remaining = targetPath.substring(currentPath.length);\n const segments = remaining.split('/').filter(s => s);\n nextSegment = segments[0];\n nextPath = currentPath + '/' + nextSegment;\n}\n\nreturn [{\n json: {\n target_path: targetPath,\n root_folder_id: rootFolderId,\n root_path: rootPath,\n current_folder_id: currentFolderId,\n current_path: currentPath,\n next_segment: nextSegment,\n next_path: nextPath\n }\n}];\n"
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.code",
"typeVersion": 2,
"position": [
5376,
2288
],
"id": "6ed5e135-af08-41a6-bb4a-409aff03e247",
"name": "Calculate Next Segment"
},
{
"parameters": {
"resource": "fileFolder",
"searchMethod": "query",
"queryString": "=name = '{{ $json.next_segment }}' and mimeType = 'application/vnd.google-apps.folder' and '{{ $json.current_folder_id }}' in parents and trashed = false",
"limit": 1,
"filter": {
"folderId": {
"__rl": true,
"value": "={{ $json.current_folder_id }}",
"mode": "id"
},
"whatToSearch": "folders"
},
"options": {}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleDrive",
"typeVersion": 3,
"position": [
5600,
2288
],
"id": "1f08dd40-382f-4109-b1fe-61d13299fa85",
"name": "Google Drive: Find Folder",
"alwaysOutputData": true,
"credentials": {
"googleDriveOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
}
},
{
"parameters": {
"conditions": {
"options": {
"caseSensitive": true,
"leftValue": "",
"typeValidation": "strict",
"version": 2
},
"conditions": [
{
"id": "folder-found",
"leftValue": "={{ $json.id }}",
"rightValue": "",
"operator": {
"type": "string",
"operation": "exists"
}
}
],
"combinator": "and"
},
"options": {}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.if",
"typeVersion": 2.2,
"position": [
5824,
2288
],
"id": "8f942b44-ce38-48b7-9045-038ec3dc7f5c",
"name": "Folder Found?"
},
{
"parameters": {
"resource": "folder",
"name": "={{ $('Calculate Next Segment').item.json.next_segment }}",
"driveId": {
"__rl": true,
"value": "MyDrive",
"mode": "list",
"cachedResultName": "My Drive"
},
"folderId": {
"__rl": true,
"value": "={{ $('Calculate Next Segment').item.json.current_folder_id }}",
"mode": "id"
},
"options": {}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleDrive",
"typeVersion": 3,
"position": [
6048,
2464
],
"id": "4b4d96ab-aa74-431d-abea-656470542859",
"name": "Create Folder",
"credentials": {
"googleDriveOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
}
},
{
"parameters": {
"jsCode": "// Prepare data for caching and next steps\nconst driveResult = $input.item.json;\nconst meta = $('Calculate Next Segment').item.json;\n\nreturn [{\n json: {\n found_folder_id: driveResult.id,\n found_folder_name: driveResult.name,\n next_path: meta.next_path,\n target_path: meta.target_path,\n root_folder_id: meta.root_folder_id,\n root_path: meta.root_path\n }\n}];"
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.code",
"typeVersion": 2,
"position": [
6048,
2288
],
"id": "db3c2790-96bf-4812-bc6f-e142527874e8",
"name": "Prepare Cache Data"
},
{
"parameters": {
"operation": "append",
"documentId": {
"__rl": true,
"value": "16vuiDJEZz3EOMN-8z7CF_1ENDWzjfORyykFNxqhGOWE",
"mode": "list",
"cachedResultName": "PathToIDLookup",
"cachedResultUrl": "https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16vuiDJEZz3EOMN-8z7CF_1ENDWzjfORyykFNxqhGOWE/edit?usp=drivesdk"
},
"sheetName": {
"__rl": true,
"value": "gid=0",
"mode": "list",
"cachedResultName": "Sheet1",
"cachedResultUrl": "https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16vuiDJEZz3EOMN-8z7CF_1ENDWzjfORyykFNxqhGOWE/edit#gid=0"
},
"columns": {
"mappingMode": "defineBelow",
"value": {
"path": "={{ $json.next_path }}",
"folder_id": "={{ $json.found_folder_id }}"
},
"matchingColumns": [],
"schema": [
{
"id": "path",
"displayName": "path",
"required": false,
"defaultMatch": false,
"display": true,
"type": "string",
"canBeUsedToMatch": true
},
{
"id": "folder_id",
"displayName": "folder_id",
"required": false,
"defaultMatch": false,
"display": true,
"type": "string",
"canBeUsedToMatch": true
}
]
},
"options": {}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleSheets",
"typeVersion": 4.7,
"position": [
6256,
2288
],
"id": "98b97f9c-4996-4fbd-8f98-65ab61584a95",
"name": "Cache New Path",
"credentials": {
"googleSheetsOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
}
},
{
"parameters": {
"conditions": {
"options": {
"caseSensitive": true,
"leftValue": "",
"typeValidation": "strict",
"version": 2
},
"conditions": [
{
"id": "is-target",
"leftValue": "={{ $('Prepare Cache Data').item.json.next_path }}",
"rightValue": "={{ $('Prepare Cache Data').item.json.target_path }}",
"operator": {
"type": "string",
"operation": "equals"
}
}
],
"combinator": "and"
},
"options": {}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.if",
"typeVersion": 2.2,
"position": [
6480,
2288
],
"id": "300756cb-2d98-4ace-ae55-3da8d3bd51e4",
"name": "Reached Target?"
},
{
"parameters": {
"assignments": {
"assignments": [
{
"id": "out-id",
"name": "folder_id",
"value": "={{ $('Prepare Cache Data').item.json.found_folder_id }}",
"type": "string"
},
{
"id": "out-path",
"name": "folder_path",
"value": "={{ $('Prepare Cache Data').item.json.target_path }}",
"type": "string"
}
]
},
"options": {}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.set",
"typeVersion": 3.4,
"position": [
6704,
2272
],
"id": "2294e345-3eb2-4487-b0f0-ed276ca0b342",
"name": "Return (Found)"
},
{
"parameters": {
"workflowId": {
"__rl": true,
"value": "vFnk7s9sqVnrt4hC",
"mode": "list",
"cachedResultUrl": "/workflow/vFnk7s9sqVnrt4hC",
"cachedResultName": "gdrive-recursion"
},
"workflowInputs": {
"mappingMode": "defineBelow",
"value": {
"target_path": "={{ $('Prepare Cache Data').item.json.target_path }}",
"current_path": "={{ $('Prepare Cache Data').item.json.next_path }}",
"current_folder_id": "={{ $('Prepare Cache Data').item.json.found_folder_id }}",
"root_path": "={{ $('Prepare Cache Data').item.json.root_path }}",
"root_folder_id": "={{ $('Prepare Cache Data').item.json.root_folder_id }}"
},
"matchingColumns": [],
"schema": [
{
"id": "target_path",
"displayName": "target_path",
"required": false,
"defaultMatch": false,
"display": true,
"canBeUsedToMatch": true,
"type": "string"
},
{
"id": "root_folder_id",
"displayName": "root_folder_id",
"required": false,
"defaultMatch": false,
"display": true,
"canBeUsedToMatch": true,
"type": "string"
},
{
"id": "root_path",
"displayName": "root_path",
"required": false,
"defaultMatch": false,
"display": true,
"canBeUsedToMatch": true,
"type": "string"
},
{
"id": "current_folder_id",
"displayName": "current_folder_id",
"required": false,
"defaultMatch": false,
"display": true,
"canBeUsedToMatch": true,
"type": "string"
},
{
"id": "current_path",
"displayName": "current_path",
"required": false,
"defaultMatch": false,
"display": true,
"canBeUsedToMatch": true,
"type": "string"
}
],
"attemptToConvertTypes": false,
"convertFieldsToString": true
},
"options": {
"waitForSubWorkflow": true
}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.executeWorkflow",
"typeVersion": 1.2,
"position": [
6704,
2448
],
"id": "c5eb54a7-d424-40fd-b167-99c8f9fc9db3",
"name": "Recurse (Call Self)"
},
{
"parameters": {},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.manualTrigger",
"typeVersion": 1,
"position": [
5152,
1872
],
"id": "de899d9c-9048-492a-a5dc-b1960c362c34",
"name": "Manual Test Trigger"
},
{
"parameters": {
"assignments": {
"assignments": [
{
"id": "test-target",
"name": "target_path",
"value": "/Accounting/2025/11_November/Expense",
"type": "string"
},
{
"id": "test-root-id",
"name": "root_folder_id",
"value": "1tiI-FHH-yeiWjku8jU5dClDRFERIe4gS",
"type": "string"
},
{
"id": "test-root-path",
"name": "root_path",
"value": "/Accounting",
"type": "string"
}
]
},
"options": {}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.set",
"typeVersion": 3.4,
"position": [
5376,
1872
],
"id": "b5046fde-e201-4995-8201-a9f404f35066",
"name": "Test Data"
},
{
"parameters": {
"content": "# Folder ID Lookup (Self-Recursive)\n\n**First call:** Cache OR query \u2192 Find deepest cached \u2192 Traverse\n**Recursion:** Skip cache \u2192 Traverse directly\n\n## Flow\n1. Check if recursion (current_folder_id exists?)\n2. First call: Generate paths \u2192 OR query \u2192 Find deepest\n3. Both: Calculate next segment \u2192 Drive query \u2192 Cache \u2192 Done/Recurse",
"height": 584,
"width": 376
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
4944,
2016
],
"typeVersion": 1,
"id": "3d56ba52-6414-4095-8aea-ab3578125255",
"name": "Sticky Note"
}
],
"connections": {
"Trigger": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Is Recursion?",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Is Recursion?": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Calculate Next Segment",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
],
[
{
"node": "Generate Ancestor Paths",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Generate Ancestor Paths": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Cache OR Query",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Cache OR Query": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Find Deepest Cached",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Find Deepest Cached": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Status Check",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Status Check": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Return (Cache Hit)",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
],
[
{
"node": "Calculate Next Segment",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Calculate Next Segment": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Google Drive: Find Folder",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Google Drive: Find Folder": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Folder Found?",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Folder Found?": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Prepare Cache Data",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
],
[
{
"node": "Create Folder",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Create Folder": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Prepare Cache Data",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Prepare Cache Data": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Cache New Path",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Cache New Path": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Reached Target?",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Reached Target?": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Return (Found)",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
],
[
{
"node": "Recurse (Call Self)",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Manual Test Trigger": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Test Data",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Test Data": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Is Recursion?",
"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.
googleDriveOAuth2ApigoogleSheetsOAuth2Api
Pro
For the full experience including quality scoring and batch install features for each workflow upgrade to Pro
About this workflow
Gdrive-Recursion. Uses executeWorkflowTrigger, googleSheets, googleDrive. Event-driven trigger; 19 nodes.
Source: https://github.com/runfish5/micro-services/blob/main/projects/n8n/shared/gdrive-recursion.json — original creator credit. Request a take-down →
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