Parse XML File to Google Sheets

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": "d0c92688-14fc-4393-a1d6-926eb867b81e",
      "name": "On clicking 'execute'",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.manualTrigger",
      "position": [
        180,
        240
      ],
      "parameters": {},
      "typeVersion": 1
    },
    {
      "id": "0edbad78-249b-441c-877d-bac57fb44a91",
      "name": "Note",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
      "position": [
        180,
        31
      ],
      "parameters": {
        "width": 436,
        "height": 169,
        "content": "## n8n version\n\nThis workflow was created using n8n version 0.197.1 and uses a new [expression syntax](https://docs.n8n.io/code-examples/methods-variables-reference/) as well as a new version of the Merge node. Make sure you're also using n8n version 0.197.1 or newer when running this workflow."
      },
      "typeVersion": 1
    },
    {
      "id": "251d893c-11cb-4702-a289-44f198581722",
      "name": "Download XML File",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest",
      "position": [
        400,
        240
      ],
      "parameters": {
        "url": "https://www.w3schools.com/xml/simple.xml",
        "options": {}
      },
      "typeVersion": 3
    },
    {
      "id": "0973b302-1ba9-4faf-9d6c-2caca1b301f5",
      "name": "Parse XML content",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.xml",
      "position": [
        620,
        240
      ],
      "parameters": {
        "options": {}
      },
      "typeVersion": 1
    },
    {
      "id": "01854111-27cb-40c1-b95e-14f91f89e9f1",
      "name": "Create new spreadsheet file",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleSheets",
      "position": [
        1060,
        140
      ],
      "parameters": {
        "title": "My XML Data",
        "options": {},
        "resource": "spreadsheet"
      },
      "credentials": {
        "googleSheetsOAuth2Api": {
          "name": "<your credential>"
        }
      },
      "executeOnce": true,
      "typeVersion": 2
    },
    {
      "id": "affbcb81-5873-406e-a51d-cd6fee682992",
      "name": "Define header row",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.set",
      "position": [
        1280,
        140
      ],
      "parameters": {
        "values": {
          "string": [
            {
              "name": "columns",
              "value": "={{ [ Object.keys($(\"Split out food items\").first().json) ] }}"
            }
          ]
        },
        "options": {},
        "keepOnlySet": true
      },
      "executeOnce": true,
      "typeVersion": 1
    },
    {
      "id": "537aff03-ae08-4712-bfae-15f0e3a5e69a",
      "name": "Split out food items",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.itemLists",
      "position": [
        840,
        240
      ],
      "parameters": {
        "options": {},
        "fieldToSplitOut": "breakfast_menu.food"
      },
      "typeVersion": 1
    },
    {
      "id": "b247f984-6ed2-4de0-8877-a61571863ff8",
      "name": "Write header row",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleSheets",
      "position": [
        1500,
        140
      ],
      "parameters": {
        "options": {},
        "rawData": true,
        "sheetId": "={{ $(\"Create new spreadsheet file\").first().json[\"spreadsheetId\"] }}",
        "operation": "update",
        "dataProperty": "columns"
      },
      "credentials": {
        "googleSheetsOAuth2Api": {
          "name": "<your credential>"
        }
      },
      "typeVersion": 2
    },
    {
      "id": "fc9e2c32-30b1-4162-a686-2d049e52e111",
      "name": "Wait for spreadsheet creation",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.merge",
      "position": [
        1720,
        240
      ],
      "parameters": {
        "mode": "chooseBranch",
        "output": "input2"
      },
      "typeVersion": 2
    },
    {
      "id": "fdc6d5d9-e08d-4086-a233-0edb3c11bc86",
      "name": "Write data to sheet",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleSheets",
      "position": [
        1940,
        240
      ],
      "parameters": {
        "options": {},
        "sheetId": "={{ $(\"Create new spreadsheet file\").first().json[\"spreadsheetId\"] }}",
        "operation": "append"
      },
      "credentials": {
        "googleSheetsOAuth2Api": {
          "name": "<your credential>"
        }
      },
      "typeVersion": 2
    }
  ],
  "connections": {
    "Write header row": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "Wait for spreadsheet creation",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    },
    "Define header row": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "Write header row",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    },
    "Download XML File": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "Parse XML content",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    },
    "Parse XML content": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "Split out food items",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    },
    "Split out food items": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "Create new spreadsheet file",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          },
          {
            "node": "Wait for spreadsheet creation",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 1
          }
        ]
      ]
    },
    "On clicking 'execute'": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "Download XML File",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    },
    "Create new spreadsheet file": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "Define header row",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    },
    "Wait for spreadsheet creation": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "Write data to sheet",
            "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.

• googleSheetsOAuth2Api

How this works

Easily extract structured data from XML files and organise it into Google Sheets for straightforward analysis and sharing, saving hours of manual data entry for teams handling product catalogues or reports. This workflow suits content managers, data analysts, or small businesses dealing with XML feeds from suppliers or APIs, who need a reliable way to import information without coding expertise. The key step involves downloading the XML via HTTP Request, parsing it with the XML node, and then splitting items before appending them neatly to a new Google Sheets spreadsheet.

Use this workflow when you receive regular XML files, such as product inventories or event data, and want to automate their conversion into editable sheets for collaboration. Avoid it for very large files exceeding Google Sheets' row limits or when real-time processing is required, as it relies on manual execution. Common variations include adding filters in the itemLists node to select specific data fields or integrating with email triggers to process attachments automatically.

About this workflow

Read Xml File And Store Content In Google Sheets. Uses manualTrigger, stickyNote, httpRequest, xml. Event-driven trigger; 10 nodes.

Source: https://github.com/Zie619/n8n-workflows — original creator credit. Request a take-down →

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