Dominik Baranowski This workflow corresponds to n8n.io template #2896 — we link there as the canonical source.
The workflow JSON
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{
"id": "CDVBZRDH5gNUzIml",
"meta": {
"templateCredsSetupCompleted": true
},
"name": "N8N for Beginners: Looping over Items",
"tags": [],
"nodes": [
{
"id": "500304a1-5164-4907-b0a7-e514e455e3dc",
"name": "Result1",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.noOp",
"notes": "Look Here to see resulting output",
"position": [
880,
-280
],
"parameters": {},
"notesInFlow": true,
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "32808ad1-1a35-497f-b1d3-c935a924c541",
"name": "Result2",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.noOp",
"notes": "Look here to see resulting output",
"position": [
880,
40
],
"parameters": {},
"notesInFlow": true,
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "f3c9fa5d-a4c7-4cf0-beb5-774d8483974f",
"name": "Sticky Note",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
800,
-340
],
"parameters": {
"color": 3,
"width": 320,
"height": 240,
"content": "\n### Result1 shows that the array of strings is seen as one item by Loop1"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "0bb96765-60ce-4618-9b39-7cd203a3cb48",
"name": "Sticky Note1",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
800,
-60
],
"parameters": {
"color": 3,
"width": 320,
"height": 260,
"content": "### Result2 shows that the Loop2 sees 5 items after the array of strings is split into separate objects"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "b71fcc86-b0cd-4241-b0d6-21abe4c6b68d",
"name": "Sticky Note2",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
-1680,
-1100
],
"parameters": {
"width": 1200,
"height": 2480,
"content": "# N8N for Beginners: Looping Over Items\n\n## Description\n\nThis workflow is designed for **n8n beginners** to understand how n8n handles **looping (iteration)** over multiple items. It highlights two key behaviors:\n\n- **Built-In Looping:** By default, most n8n nodes iterate over each item in an input array.\n- **Explicit Looping:** The **Loop Over Items** node allows controlled iteration, enabling **custom batch processing** and multi-step workflows.\n\nThis workflow demonstrates the difference between processing an **unsplit array of strings (single item)** vs. **a split array (multiple items)**.\n\n---\n\n## Setup\n\n### 1. Input Data\n\nTo begin, **paste the following JSON** into the **Manual Trigger** node:\n\n```json\n{\n \"urls\": [\n \"https://www.reddit.com\",\n \"https://www.n8n.io/\",\n \"https://n8n.io/\",\n \"https://supabase.com/\",\n \"https://duckduckgo.com/\"\n ]\n}\n```\n\n\u00f0\u0178\u201c\u0152 **Steps to Paste Data:**\n- **Double-click** the \"Manual Trigger\" node.\n- Click **\"Edit Output\"** (top-right corner).\n- Paste the JSON and **Save**.\n- The node **turns purple**, indicating that test data is pinned. \n\n---\n\n## Explanation of the n8n Nodes in the Workflow\n\n### Manual Trigger \nThis node starts the workflow manually and sends test data. \n**Documentation:** [Manual Trigger Node](https://docs.n8n.io/integrations/builtin/core-nodes/n8n-nodes-base.manualtrigger/)\n\n### Split Out (Split Array of Strings into Array of Objects) \nExtracts the `urls` array and splits it so that each URL becomes a separate JSON object. \n**Documentation:** [Split Out Node](https://docs.n8n.io/integrations/builtin/core-nodes/n8n-nodes-base.splitout/)\n\n### Loop Over Items (Loop Over Items 1) \nDemonstrates how an **unsplit** array is treated as one item, processing it as a single unit. \n**Documentation:** [Loop Over Items Node](https://docs.n8n.io/integrations/builtin/core-nodes/n8n-nodes-base.splitinbatches/)\n\n### Loop Over Items (Loop Over Items 2) \nProcesses the **split array** one item at a time. This demonstrates individual iteration and controlled looping. \n**Documentation:** [Loop Over Items Node](https://docs.n8n.io/integrations/builtin/core-nodes/n8n-nodes-base.splitinbatches/)\n\n### Wait Node \nIntroduces a **1-second delay** per iteration to demonstrate sequential execution. This can be removed for faster performance. \n**Documentation:** [Wait Node](https://docs.n8n.io/integrations/builtin/core-nodes/n8n-nodes-base.wait/)\n\n### Code Nodes (Add param1 to outputX) \nEach Code node adds a constant field (`param1`) to the data, ensuring that every item gets enriched with the same parameter. \n**Documentation:** [Code Node](https://docs.n8n.io/integrations/builtin/core-nodes/n8n-nodes-base.code/)\n\n### NoOp Nodes (Result1, Result2, Result3, Result4, Result5)\nThese nodes display the output at different stages of the workflow for inspection.\n**Documentation:** [NoOp Node](https://docs.n8n.io/integrations/builtin/core-nodes/n8n-nodes-base.noop/)\n\n\n\n---\n\n## Execution Details\n\n### 1. How the Workflow Runs\n\n- **Manual Trigger starts execution** with the pasted JSON data.\n- The workflow follows **two paths**:\n\n#### Unsplit Array Path \u00e2\u2020\u2019 Loop Over Items 1 \n- The original JSON is processed **as a single item**. \n- **Result1 & Result5:** Show that the array was **not split** before processing.\n\n#### Split Array Path \u00e2\u2020\u2019 Split Out \u00e2\u2020\u2019 Loop Over Items 2 \n- The **Split Out** node converts the `urls` array into separate objects.\n- The **Loop Over Items 2** node processes each URL **one by one**.\n- A **Wait node** (1-second delay) demonstrates **controlled execution**.\n- **Code nodes** modify the JSON, adding the field (`param1`).\n- **Result2, Result3, Result4:** Display the final processed output.\n\n### 2. What You Will See\n\n- **Result1 & Result5:** The entire array is processed **as one item** before splitting.\n- **Result2, Result3, Result4:** Each URL is processed **individually** after being split.\n- **Wait Node:** Adds a **1-second delay per item** in **Loop Over Items 2**.\n\n---\n\n## Notes\n\n- Sticky notes are included in the workflow **for easy reference**.\n- The **Wait node** is **optional**\u00e2\u20ac\u201dremove it for faster execution.\n- This template is structured for **beginners** but serves as a **building block** for more advanced automations.\n\n---\n\n"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "53e7d23a-2a4f-4ada-aeb5-de128acf8625",
"name": "Split Array of Strings into Array of Objects",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.splitOut",
"position": [
-20,
380
],
"parameters": {
"options": {
"destinationFieldName": "url"
},
"fieldToSplitOut": "urls"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "4910fec6-d600-43be-97b2-5050039db416",
"name": "Sticky Note3",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
800,
700
],
"parameters": {
"color": 3,
"width": 320,
"height": 260,
"content": "### Result4 shows that we can turn off the looping feature by setting the looping behavior to \"Run Once For All Items\""
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "f0e68b30-5341-4672-8d8e-7a24d894eb03",
"name": "Sticky Note4",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
800,
420
],
"parameters": {
"color": 3,
"width": 320,
"height": 240,
"content": "### Result3 shows that looping over items is built in to n8n nodes"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "70a987b9-6a4a-49c3-a87c-0dd9cc1879ed",
"name": "Result3",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.noOp",
"notes": "Look here to see resulting output",
"position": [
900,
500
],
"parameters": {},
"notesInFlow": true,
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "9de5fac9-e987-4fb1-8f7f-b59af2985e5c",
"name": "Result4",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.noOp",
"notes": "Look here to see resulting output",
"position": [
900,
780
],
"parameters": {},
"notesInFlow": true,
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "d5fee847-7758-44ac-a270-6334dd81bb97",
"name": "Sticky Note5",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
800,
-640
],
"parameters": {
"color": 3,
"width": 320,
"height": 260,
"content": "### Result5 shows that the array of strings is seen as one item by Code5. So the behavior is the same as Loop1"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "9a134620-4067-4c7a-8b0f-30e19c93a66c",
"name": "Result5",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.noOp",
"notes": "Look here to see resulting output",
"position": [
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-540
],
"parameters": {},
"notesInFlow": true,
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "c273cd55-708d-4f86-81f2-3bbe991f59f8",
"name": "Paste JSON into this node",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.manualTrigger",
"position": [
-400,
-540
],
"parameters": {},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "8f64b987-05c5-43a9-89c0-201499df0aa6",
"name": "Add param1 to output5",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.code",
"position": [
320,
-540
],
"parameters": {
"jsCode": "\n $json.param1 = 'add_me_to_all_items_and_name_me_param1';\n\n\nreturn $json"
},
"typeVersion": 2,
"alwaysOutputData": true
},
{
"id": "4920b4e4-b511-4059-b38a-623d14b6df25",
"name": "Add param1 to output1",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.code",
"position": [
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-180
],
"parameters": {
"mode": "runOnceForEachItem",
"jsCode": "\n $json.param1 = \"add_me_to_all_items_and_name_me_param1\"\n\nreturn $json"
},
"typeVersion": 2,
"alwaysOutputData": true
},
{
"id": "28ce5239-6437-4b7a-9395-3beb162fded6",
"name": "Loop over Items 2",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.splitInBatches",
"position": [
320,
60
],
"parameters": {
"options": {}
},
"typeVersion": 3
},
{
"id": "628edc5e-1b7f-4f50-9c29-8990bd4a5cc0",
"name": "Loop over Items 1",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.splitInBatches",
"position": [
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-260
],
"parameters": {
"options": {
"reset": false
}
},
"typeVersion": 3
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{
"id": "ffccda97-066d-4c13-b4eb-a13ff849b90a",
"name": "Add param1 to output2",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.code",
"position": [
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"parameters": {
"mode": "runOnceForEachItem",
"jsCode": "\n $json.param1 = \"add_me_to_all_items_and_name_me_param1\"\n\n\nreturn $json"
},
"typeVersion": 2,
"alwaysOutputData": true
},
{
"id": "6fb44840-6365-46db-9c50-eecd420f274f",
"name": "Add param1 to output3",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.code",
"position": [
320,
500
],
"parameters": {
"mode": "runOnceForEachItem",
"jsCode": "\n $json.param1 = \"add_me_to_all_items_and_name_me_param1\"\n\n\nreturn $json"
},
"typeVersion": 2,
"alwaysOutputData": true
},
{
"id": "51b8d766-25ed-407f-a956-693b93bda95f",
"name": "Add param1 to output4",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.code",
"position": [
320,
780
],
"parameters": {
"jsCode": "\n $json.param1 = \"add_me_to_all_items_and_name_me_param1\"\n\n\nreturn $json"
},
"typeVersion": 2,
"alwaysOutputData": true
},
{
"id": "f8edde34-cf47-42e2-bbd3-552df2509451",
"name": "Wait one second(just for show)",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.wait",
"position": [
480,
180
],
"parameters": {
"amount": 1
},
"typeVersion": 1.1
}
],
"active": false,
"settings": {
"executionOrder": "v1"
},
"versionId": "e1eff37a-1ffd-4691-9560-eada5baab88d",
"connections": {
"Result1": {
"main": [
[]
]
},
"Result2": {
"main": [
[]
]
},
"Loop over Items 1": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Result1",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
],
[
{
"node": "Add param1 to output1",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Loop over Items 2": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Result2",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
],
[
{
"node": "Wait one second(just for show)",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Add param1 to output1": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Loop over Items 1",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Add param1 to output2": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Loop over Items 2",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Add param1 to output3": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Result3",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Add param1 to output4": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Result4",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Add param1 to output5": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Result5",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Paste JSON into this node": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Split Array of Strings into Array of Objects",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
},
{
"node": "Add param1 to output5",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
},
{
"node": "Loop over Items 1",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Wait one second(just for show)": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Add param1 to output2",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Split Array of Strings into Array of Objects": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Loop over Items 2",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
},
{
"node": "Add param1 to output4",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
},
{
"node": "Add param1 to output3",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
}
}
}
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About this workflow
This workflow is designed for n8n beginners to understand how n8n handles looping (iteration) over multiple items. It highlights two key behaviors: Built-In Looping: By default, most n8n nodes iterate over each item in an input array. Explicit Looping: The Loop Over Items node…
Source: https://n8n.io/workflows/2896/ — original creator credit. Request a take-down →
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