This workflow follows the Google Drive → HTTP Request 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": [
{
"id": "05bd643c-6dd0-4f36-a586-3a06cc26893c",
"name": "Note",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
200,
780
],
"parameters": {
"width": 476.4578377639565,
"height": 299.6468819708682,
"content": "## Working with Excel files\n1. Load the spreadsheet file into the workflow (.xls, .xlsx, .csv).\n2. Convert the file with **Spreadsheet File** node. This allows other nodes to access the data.\n3. Transform and manipulate the spreadsheet data as needed\n4. [Optional] Convert back to a spreadsheet file\n5. [Optional] Save file locally or upload to a server\n\n\n\n\u2139\ufe0f This template shows how to work with spreadsheet files themselves. Use the **Microsoft Excel 365** node to interact with the Microsoft Office 365 cloud platform. "
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "84db705b-b45f-447f-b3e6-ac9650816e3b",
"name": "Note1",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
840,
800
],
"parameters": {
"width": 261.5285597588645,
"height": 244.71805702217537,
"content": "### 1A. From a public URL"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "92b8375b-92a3-41ca-874e-d9c4567e21d4",
"name": "Read Binary File",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.readBinaryFile",
"notes": "Fetches a local file",
"disabled": true,
"position": [
920,
1140
],
"parameters": {
"filePath": "/files/customer-datastore.xlsx"
},
"notesInFlow": true,
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "e595db63-8556-4e5e-89df-9895691ed4bb",
"name": "Note7",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
840,
680
],
"parameters": {
"width": 332.13093980992585,
"height": 80,
"content": "## 1. Load file into workflow"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "66ae38b6-01e6-486b-aae1-d696d22fb2cf",
"name": "Note8",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
840,
1380
],
"parameters": {
"width": 263.20908130939836,
"height": 475.9602777402797,
"content": "### 1C. From a cloud platform"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "c2e2cc7e-01a2-4138-ba6f-344be3dd91f3",
"name": "On clicking 'execute'",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.manualTrigger",
"position": [
500,
1140
],
"parameters": {},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "050bdd2e-6fe5-4145-8a0b-c1b4b8870c53",
"name": "Note2",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"disabled": true,
"position": [
2060,
680
],
"parameters": {
"width": 326.8935002375224,
"height": 302.0190073917633,
"content": "## 4. [Optional] Convert node data back to .xls file"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "3822a521-c1f4-40a9-bbb6-540a2bb4651b",
"name": "Note4",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"disabled": true,
"position": [
1640,
680
],
"parameters": {
"width": 359.63512407276517,
"height": 304.93769799366413,
"content": "## 3. Manipulate or transform your spreadsheet data \n\n\n\n\n\n"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "a90ef806-62a7-492d-b493-337d796c677a",
"name": "Note5",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
2460,
1080
],
"parameters": {
"width": 253.5004831258875,
"height": 243.48423158332457,
"content": "### 4B. To a webserver via (S)FTP"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "a5419c12-4be4-4fdf-8b9f-f6c73104477a",
"name": "Write Binary File",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.writeBinaryFile",
"position": [
2520,
860
],
"parameters": {
"options": {},
"fileName": "=/tmp/{{$binary.data.fileName}}"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "3d3474ee-298f-48ee-b7b4-2dd64729c747",
"name": "Note6",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"disabled": true,
"position": [
1280,
680
],
"parameters": {
"width": 279.5841955487948,
"height": 309.4318901795142,
"content": "## 2. Convert the file into JSON format\nJSON data can be used by nodes\n\n\n\n\n\n"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "93cd3132-460b-4a67-b627-b417bbd74012",
"name": "Note9",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"disabled": true,
"position": [
2460,
680
],
"parameters": {
"width": 332.13093980992585,
"height": 86.72208620213638,
"content": "## 5. Save or upload new file\n### [Optional]"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "4ca7e58c-2d8f-463f-86f9-f87f47a7364b",
"name": "Note10",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
2460,
800
],
"parameters": {
"width": 253.5004831258875,
"height": 245.22344655940856,
"content": "### 4A. To a local filesystem"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "db8f95b3-db71-4111-b5a4-a53cdfeea896",
"name": "Note11",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"disabled": true,
"position": [
2460,
1380
],
"parameters": {
"width": 253.5004831258875,
"height": 480.2511652360096,
"content": "### 4C. To a cloud service"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "ae1a1cdf-4670-41da-8bc5-aa6817ce08bc",
"name": "Note3",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
840,
1080
],
"parameters": {
"width": 263.20908130939836,
"height": 244.71805702217537,
"content": "### 1B. From the local filesystem"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "529b03fb-b81d-40f3-bade-684cc9776cba",
"name": "Download from Google Drive",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleDrive",
"disabled": true,
"position": [
920,
1440
],
"parameters": {
"fileId": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "list",
"value": "1ffuj8v-s0h8LeEmrA2hBk-b7qKF_c9uT",
"cachedResultUrl": "https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ffuj8v-s0h8LeEmrA2hBk-b7qKF_c9uT/edit?usp=drivesdk&ouid=112909978107527312058&rtpof=true&sd=true",
"cachedResultName": "customer-datastore.xlsx"
},
"options": {},
"operation": "download"
},
"credentials": {
"googleDriveOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"typeVersion": 2
},
{
"id": "b63c9748-0c7d-4d2a-aa5b-db76d31af957",
"name": "Download from Microsoft OneDrive",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.microsoftOneDrive",
"disabled": true,
"position": [
920,
1640
],
"parameters": {
"fileId": "549D14658E697C62!2087",
"operation": "download"
},
"credentials": {
"microsoftOneDriveOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "6333d0b5-d58b-4a19-af9a-0e5ea4fa15e8",
"name": "Download Excel File",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest",
"notes": "Fetches file from server",
"position": [
920,
860
],
"parameters": {
"url": "https://internal.users.n8n.cloud/webhook/709a234d-add7-41d2-9326-8d981f58120b",
"options": {}
},
"notesInFlow": true,
"typeVersion": 3
},
{
"id": "88b24dbb-dc9f-4f03-a5b3-71ba89295346",
"name": "Work out Age",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.set",
"position": [
1760,
820
],
"parameters": {
"values": {
"string": [
{
"name": "age",
"value": "={{ Math.trunc($today.diff(DateTime.fromFormat($json[\"created\"], 'yyyy-MM-dd'), 'years').toObject().years) }}"
}
]
},
"options": {}
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "2f1f2fa9-4995-46c9-a415-3768a0895e88",
"name": "Upload to SFTP",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.ftp",
"disabled": true,
"position": [
2520,
1140
],
"parameters": {
"path": "=/home/n8n/{{$binary.data.fileName}}",
"protocol": "sftp",
"operation": "upload"
},
"credentials": {
"sftp": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "81c06f12-83f1-4973-a1ec-6d58e26eb8c9",
"name": "Upload to Google Drive",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleDrive",
"disabled": true,
"position": [
2520,
1440
],
"parameters": {
"name": "={{$binary.data.fileName}}",
"options": {},
"binaryData": true
},
"credentials": {
"googleDriveOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"typeVersion": 2
},
{
"id": "a0ef4740-8716-4fab-8498-c13ee32842cb",
"name": "Upload to Microsoft OneDrive",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.microsoftOneDrive",
"disabled": true,
"position": [
2520,
1640
],
"parameters": {
"fileName": "={{$binary.data.fileName}}",
"parentId": "root",
"binaryData": true
},
"credentials": {
"microsoftOneDriveOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "01e6575d-bb92-4f32-82b4-acfe7448a364",
"name": "Read Spreadsheet File",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.spreadsheetFile",
"position": [
1360,
820
],
"parameters": {
"options": {}
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "ed09f502-109f-42dc-a62c-6b6f54aad46e",
"name": "Write Spreadsheet File",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.spreadsheetFile",
"position": [
2160,
820
],
"parameters": {
"options": {
"fileName": "=customer-datastore_{{$today.toFormat('yyyyMMdd')}}.xlsx"
},
"operation": "toFile",
"fileFormat": "xlsx"
},
"typeVersion": 1
}
],
"connections": {
"Work out Age": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Write Spreadsheet File",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Read Binary File": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Read Spreadsheet File",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Download Excel File": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Read Spreadsheet File",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"On clicking 'execute'": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Read Binary File",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
},
{
"node": "Download Excel File",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
},
{
"node": "Download from Google Drive",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
},
{
"node": "Download from Microsoft OneDrive",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Read Spreadsheet File": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Work out Age",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Write Spreadsheet File": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Upload to SFTP",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
},
{
"node": "Upload to Google Drive",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
},
{
"node": "Write Binary File",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
},
{
"node": "Upload to Microsoft OneDrive",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Download from Google Drive": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Read Spreadsheet File",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Download from Microsoft OneDrive": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Read Spreadsheet File",
"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.
googleDriveOAuth2ApimicrosoftOneDriveOAuth2Apisftp
For the full experience including quality scoring and batch install features for each workflow upgrade to Pro
How this works
This workflow streamlines handling Excel spreadsheets by enabling seamless reading, processing, and saving of XLS and XLSX files, saving you hours of manual data manipulation. It's ideal for business analysts, data processors, or teams managing reports who need to automate file operations without coding expertise. The key step involves using the Read Binary File node to ingest spreadsheet data, followed by transformations and output via Write Binary File, with natural integrations to Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive for cloud storage.
Use this workflow when dealing with batch processing of Excel files from shared drives or FTP sources, such as consolidating monthly sales data or generating custom reports on demand. Avoid it for real-time data streams or non-spreadsheet formats like CSV, where simpler tools suffice. Common variations include adding HTTP Request nodes for API-driven updates or extending to multiple file types for broader document automation.
About this workflow
Working With Excel Spreadsheet Files Xls Xlsx. Uses stickyNote, readBinaryFile, manualTrigger, writeBinaryFile. Event-driven trigger; 24 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 workflow will help guide you through obtaining a spreadsheet file, reading it, making a change then saving it to local or cloud storage.
Automates extraction of wall quantities from Revit models and creates a professional interactive HTML report. Automated wall quantity analysis Calculates volumes by wall type ("Type Name") Generates i
MyToys. Uses ftp, httpRequest, spreadsheetFile, executeCommand. Webhook trigger; 16 nodes.
Export Csv File To Json. Uses manualTrigger, readBinaryFile, spreadsheetFile, moveBinaryData. Event-driven trigger; 5 nodes.
PCN. Uses googleSheets, httpRequest, @n-octo-n/n8n-nodes-json-database, itemLists. Event-driven trigger; 60 nodes.