Jeremy Grancher This workflow corresponds to n8n.io template #17967 — we link there as the canonical source.
This workflow follows the Gmail → Google Sheets 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": "Generate and email course certificates from Google Sheets with Canva and Gmail",
"nodes": [
{
"id": "0b9c003c-287e-4131-9684-5f1ea6c33dfc",
"name": "About this template",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
0,
240
],
"parameters": {
"width": 460,
"height": 952,
"content": "# \ud83c\udf93 Generate and email course certificates from Google Sheets with Canva and Gmail\n\n**Who's it for**\nTraining providers, HR/onboarding teams, course platforms and event organisers on Canva Enterprise who issue personalised certificates at scale.\n\n**How it works**\n1. A coordinator fills in a row (certificate ID, full name, date, course, instructor, email) and sets `ready` to *`YES`*.\n2. Data Autofill fills your certificate brand template with the row's details.\n3. The design is exported as a PDF and downloaded.\n4. The certificate is emailed to the recipient as a **PDF attachment** via Gmail.\n5. The row is updated with the design link and status *`SENT`*.\n\n**Setup**\n- [ ] Create a Google Sheet with columns: `ready`, `certificate_id`, `full_name`, `full_date`, `course_name`, `instructor_name`, `email`, `design_url`, `status`.\n- [ ] In Canva, create a certificate brand template with a dataset: `full_name`, `full_date`, `course_name`, `instructor_name` (all text).\n- [ ] Enter your brand template ID in **Workflow configuration**.\n- [ ] Connect your Google, Canva and Gmail credentials.\n\n**Requirements**\n- Canva Enterprise account (Data Autofill is Enterprise-only)\n- The **verified** community node `@canva/n8n-nodes-canva` (officially provided by Canva)\n- Gmail credential (swap for SMTP or Outlook if preferred)"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "8af70fe2-3a77-4867-8ad5-7af61c03191e",
"name": "Note \u2014 trigger",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
640,
240
],
"parameters": {
"color": 7,
"width": 472,
"height": 948,
"content": "## Google Sheets trigger\n\nThe trigger watches **only the `ready` column** (\u201cColumns to Watch\u201d), and the IF node only lets a row through when `ready` is exactly `YES` \u2014 so half-filled rows never fire.\n\nAfter the certificate is sent, the workflow sets `ready` to `DONE`; a row is never processed twice. To re-send a certificate, set `ready` back to `YES`."
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "6b3041e2-6196-4214-9912-58047b783151",
"name": "Note \u2014 configuration",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
1152,
240
],
"parameters": {
"color": 7,
"width": 300,
"height": 948,
"content": "## Workflow configuration\n\n`brand_template_id`: the ID of your certificate brand template (Enterprise plan), containing the dataset fields listed on the yellow sticky. Find it in the URL: *`https://www.canva.com/brand/brand-templates/X`*\n\n`spreadsheet_id` / `sheet_id`: derived **automatically** from the trigger's settings \u2014 leave them as they are. Every later node reads the spreadsheet from here, so the sheet is only ever configured once, in the trigger.\n\n`full_date`: normalised here. The Google Sheets trigger can [render dates as numbers](https://docs.n8n.io/integrations/builtin/trigger-nodes/n8n-nodes-base.googlesheetstrigger/common-issues#date-and-time-columns-are-rendering-as-numbers), so this expression converts serials to text like `5 August 2026` - Plain-text dates are unchanged. Adjust the locale (`en-GB`) and format options to your taste."
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "2cc0c45e-231c-460f-8f20-6164783c045a",
"name": "Note \u2014 Canva",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
1488,
240
],
"parameters": {
"color": 7,
"width": 492,
"height": 944,
"content": "## Create & export the certificate\n\nData Autofill fills the brand template with the row's details \u2014 field names in the Autofill node must match your template's dataset **exactly**. Autofill replaces each tagged element's *entire* text, so keep static labels (e.g. \u201cDate:\u201d) out of tagged elements.\n\nThe design is then exported as a PDF and downloaded, because export links **expire after 24 hours** \u2014 attaching the file means the recipient's copy never dies.\n\n[Guide on Autofill and Brand Templates](https://www.canva.dev/docs/connect/autofill-guide/)"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "2f06fa97-c872-4784-86b7-223caa0a2a9d",
"name": "Note \u2014 email",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
2016,
240
],
"parameters": {
"color": 7,
"width": 448,
"height": 944,
"content": "## Email the recipient\n\nGmail sends the certificate to the `email` address from the row, with the PDF attached.\n\nPersonalise the subject and body in this node \u2014 or swap it for **SMTP (Send Email)** or **Microsoft Outlook** without touching the rest of the workflow."
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "b95f3f38-d4ee-43e8-99b9-487b5a2cd90e",
"name": "Note \u2014 write back",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
2496,
240
],
"parameters": {
"color": 7,
"width": 396,
"height": 944,
"content": "## Write results back\n\nOn success the row is updated:\n\n`ready`: *`DONE`*\n`design_url`: *`{{URL_FROM_PREVIOUS_STEP}}`*\n`status`: *`SENT`*\n\nIf any Canva or email step fails, the row is marked as:\n\n`ready`: *`ERROR`*\n`status`: *`{{THE_ERROR_MESSAGE}}`*\n\nTo retry: fix the cause, then set `ready` back to *`YES`*."
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "07a7fa31-82d7-45c4-9155-77ee12fed904",
"name": "On Sheet row update",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleSheetsTrigger",
"position": [
720,
976
],
"parameters": {
"event": "anyUpdate",
"options": {
"columnsToWatch": [
"ready"
]
},
"pollTimes": {
"item": [
{
"mode": "everyMinute"
}
]
},
"sheetName": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "list",
"value": ""
},
"documentId": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "url",
"value": "https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/YOUR_DOCUMENT_ID/edit"
}
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "55de4e45-4fcb-45a6-a5c3-266635ea0c94",
"name": "Row marked ready?",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.if",
"position": [
912,
976
],
"parameters": {
"options": {},
"conditions": {
"options": {
"version": 1,
"leftValue": "",
"caseSensitive": true,
"typeValidation": "strict"
},
"combinator": "and",
"conditions": [
{
"id": "cond-ready-01",
"operator": {
"type": "string",
"operation": "equals"
},
"leftValue": "={{ ($json.ready ?? '').toString().trim().toUpperCase() }}",
"rightValue": "YES"
}
]
}
},
"typeVersion": 2
},
{
"id": "8a7b2275-a78d-4f92-8902-b8b6cebb2ba3",
"name": "Create certificate from brand template",
"type": "@canva/n8n-nodes-canva.canva",
"onError": "continueErrorOutput",
"position": [
1568,
960
],
"parameters": {
"data": "={{ JSON.stringify({\n full_name: { type: 'text', text: ($('Workflow configuration').item.json.full_name ?? '').toString() },\n full_date: { type: 'text', text: ($('Workflow configuration').item.json.full_date ?? '').toString() },\n course_name: { type: 'text', text: ($('Workflow configuration').item.json.course_name ?? '').toString() },\n instructor_name: { type: 'text', text: ($('Workflow configuration').item.json.instructor_name ?? '').toString() }\n}) }}",
"title": "={{ 'Certificate \u2014 ' + $('Workflow configuration').item.json.full_name + ' \u2014 ' + $('Workflow configuration').item.json.course_name }}",
"resource": "autofill",
"brandTemplateId": "={{ $('Workflow configuration').item.json.brand_template_id }}"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "7f0caac3-d6c5-4cad-8d7d-a9af3754f866",
"name": "Export certificate as PDF",
"type": "@canva/n8n-nodes-canva.canva",
"onError": "continueErrorOutput",
"position": [
1792,
960
],
"parameters": {
"maxWait": 120,
"designId": "={{ $json.job.result.design.id }}",
"resource": "export"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "8abb64f2-4cc9-48bc-9cda-802fae660d39",
"name": "Download the PDF",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest",
"onError": "continueErrorOutput",
"position": [
2096,
960
],
"parameters": {
"url": "={{ $json.job.urls[0] }}",
"options": {
"response": {
"response": {
"responseFormat": "file"
}
}
}
},
"typeVersion": 4.2
},
{
"id": "8423e930-af86-44aa-ae52-9251ace80139",
"name": "Email certificate to recipient",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.gmail",
"onError": "continueErrorOutput",
"position": [
2320,
960
],
"parameters": {
"sendTo": "={{ $('Workflow configuration').item.json.email }}",
"message": "=<p>Hi {{ $('Workflow configuration').item.json.full_name }},</p><p>Congratulations on completing <strong>{{ $('Workflow configuration').item.json.course_name }}</strong>!</p><p>Your certificate is attached as a PDF. Keep it safe \u2014 and feel free to share it.</p><p>Best,<br>{{ $('Workflow configuration').item.json.instructor_name }}</p>",
"options": {
"attachmentsUi": {
"attachmentsBinary": [
{
"property": "data"
}
]
},
"appendAttribution": false
},
"subject": "=Your certificate \u2014 {{ $('Workflow configuration').item.json.course_name }}"
},
"typeVersion": 2.1
},
{
"id": "925aa173-8c27-40bf-9477-8e7389ec6f39",
"name": "Mark row as errored",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleSheets",
"position": [
2640,
976
],
"parameters": {
"columns": {
"value": {
"ready": "ERROR",
"status": "={{ 'Step failed: ' + ($json.error?.message ?? 'check the execution log in n8n') }}",
"certificate_id": "={{ $('Workflow configuration').item.json.certificate_id }}"
},
"schema": [
{
"id": "ready",
"type": "string",
"display": true,
"required": false,
"displayName": "ready",
"defaultMatch": false,
"canBeUsedToMatch": true
},
{
"id": "certificate_id",
"type": "string",
"display": true,
"removed": false,
"required": false,
"displayName": "certificate_id",
"defaultMatch": false,
"canBeUsedToMatch": true
},
{
"id": "full_name",
"type": "string",
"display": true,
"removed": true,
"required": false,
"displayName": "full_name",
"defaultMatch": false,
"canBeUsedToMatch": true
},
{
"id": "full_date",
"type": "string",
"display": true,
"removed": true,
"required": false,
"displayName": "full_date",
"defaultMatch": false,
"canBeUsedToMatch": true
},
{
"id": "course_name",
"type": "string",
"display": true,
"removed": true,
"required": false,
"displayName": "course_name",
"defaultMatch": false,
"canBeUsedToMatch": true
},
{
"id": "instructor_name",
"type": "string",
"display": true,
"removed": true,
"required": false,
"displayName": "instructor_name",
"defaultMatch": false,
"canBeUsedToMatch": true
},
{
"id": "email",
"type": "string",
"display": true,
"removed": true,
"required": false,
"displayName": "email",
"defaultMatch": false,
"canBeUsedToMatch": true
},
{
"id": "design_url",
"type": "string",
"display": true,
"removed": true,
"required": false,
"displayName": "design_url",
"defaultMatch": false,
"canBeUsedToMatch": true
},
{
"id": "status",
"type": "string",
"display": true,
"required": false,
"displayName": "status",
"defaultMatch": false,
"canBeUsedToMatch": true
},
{
"id": "row_number",
"type": "number",
"display": true,
"removed": true,
"readOnly": true,
"required": false,
"displayName": "row_number",
"defaultMatch": false,
"canBeUsedToMatch": true
}
],
"mappingMode": "defineBelow",
"matchingColumns": [
"certificate_id"
],
"attemptToConvertTypes": false,
"convertFieldsToString": false
},
"options": {},
"operation": "update",
"sheetName": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "id",
"value": "={{ $('Workflow configuration').item.json.sheet_id }}"
},
"documentId": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "id",
"value": "={{ $('Workflow configuration').item.json.spreadsheet_id }}"
}
},
"typeVersion": 4.5
},
{
"id": "323c165c-c5de-4fa9-90dd-f0fa15fa1c84",
"name": "Workflow configuration",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.set",
"position": [
1248,
960
],
"parameters": {
"options": {},
"assignments": {
"assignments": [
{
"id": "cfg-0001",
"name": "brand_template_id",
"type": "string",
"value": "YOUR_BRAND_TEMPLATE_ID"
},
{
"id": "cfg-0002",
"name": "spreadsheet_id",
"type": "string",
"value": "={{ ($('On Sheet row update').params.documentId.value || '').toString().match(/[-\\w]{25,}/)?.[0] }}"
},
{
"id": "cfg-0003",
"name": "sheet_id",
"type": "string",
"value": "={{ $('On Sheet row update').params.sheetName.value }}"
},
{
"id": "cfg-0004",
"name": "full_date",
"type": "string",
"value": "={{ ($json.full_date ?? '').toString().trim() === '' ? '' : (isNaN(Number($json.full_date)) ? $json.full_date.toString() : new Date(Date.UTC(1899, 11, 30) + Math.round(Number($json.full_date) * 86400000)).toLocaleDateString('en-GB', { day: 'numeric', month: 'long', year: 'numeric', timeZone: 'UTC' })) }}"
}
]
},
"includeOtherFields": true
},
"typeVersion": 3.4
},
{
"id": "2b363797-7d20-4f05-abc3-85f3eea5455a",
"name": "Mark row as completed",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleSheets",
"position": [
2640,
720
],
"parameters": {
"columns": {
"value": {
"ready": "DONE",
"status": "SENT",
"design_url": "={{ $('Create certificate from brand template').item.json.job.result.design.url }}",
"certificate_id": "={{ $('Workflow configuration').item.json.certificate_id }}"
},
"schema": [
{
"id": "ready",
"type": "string",
"display": true,
"required": false,
"displayName": "ready",
"defaultMatch": false,
"canBeUsedToMatch": true
},
{
"id": "certificate_id",
"type": "string",
"display": true,
"removed": false,
"required": false,
"displayName": "certificate_id",
"defaultMatch": false,
"canBeUsedToMatch": true
},
{
"id": "full_name",
"type": "string",
"display": true,
"removed": true,
"required": false,
"displayName": "full_name",
"defaultMatch": false,
"canBeUsedToMatch": true
},
{
"id": "full_date",
"type": "string",
"display": true,
"removed": true,
"required": false,
"displayName": "full_date",
"defaultMatch": false,
"canBeUsedToMatch": true
},
{
"id": "course_name",
"type": "string",
"display": true,
"removed": true,
"required": false,
"displayName": "course_name",
"defaultMatch": false,
"canBeUsedToMatch": true
},
{
"id": "instructor_name",
"type": "string",
"display": true,
"removed": true,
"required": false,
"displayName": "instructor_name",
"defaultMatch": false,
"canBeUsedToMatch": true
},
{
"id": "email",
"type": "string",
"display": true,
"removed": true,
"required": false,
"displayName": "email",
"defaultMatch": false,
"canBeUsedToMatch": true
},
{
"id": "design_url",
"type": "string",
"display": true,
"removed": false,
"required": false,
"displayName": "design_url",
"defaultMatch": false,
"canBeUsedToMatch": true
},
{
"id": "status",
"type": "string",
"display": true,
"required": false,
"displayName": "status",
"defaultMatch": false,
"canBeUsedToMatch": true
},
{
"id": "row_number",
"type": "number",
"display": true,
"removed": true,
"readOnly": true,
"required": false,
"displayName": "row_number",
"defaultMatch": false,
"canBeUsedToMatch": true
}
],
"mappingMode": "defineBelow",
"matchingColumns": [
"certificate_id"
],
"attemptToConvertTypes": false,
"convertFieldsToString": false
},
"options": {},
"operation": "update",
"sheetName": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "id",
"value": "={{ $('Workflow configuration').item.json.sheet_id }}"
},
"documentId": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "id",
"value": "={{ $('Workflow configuration').item.json.spreadsheet_id }}"
}
},
"typeVersion": 4.5
}
],
"active": false,
"settings": {
"executionOrder": "v1"
},
"connections": {
"Download the PDF": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Email certificate to recipient",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
],
[
{
"node": "Mark row as errored",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Row marked ready?": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Workflow configuration",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"On Sheet row update": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Row marked ready?",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Workflow configuration": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Create certificate from brand template",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Export certificate as PDF": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Download the PDF",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
],
[
{
"node": "Mark row as errored",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Email certificate to recipient": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Mark row as completed",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
],
[
{
"node": "Mark row as errored",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Create certificate from brand template": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Export certificate as PDF",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
],
[
{
"node": "Mark row as errored",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
}
}
}
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About this workflow
This workflow watches a Google Sheet for rows marked ready, generates a personalized certificate in Canva using a brand template, exports and downloads it as a PDF, then emails it to the recipient via Gmail and updates the sheet with the delivery status. Triggers when the column…
Source: https://n8n.io/workflows/17967/ — original creator credit. Request a take-down →
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