Template-based Google Drive folder generation with Forms and Apps Script
### Overview
Stop manually creating folder structures for every new client or project. This workflow provides a simple form where users enter a name, and automatically duplicates your template folder structure in Google Drive—replacing all placeholders with the submitted name.
### What This Workflow Does
1. Displays a form where users enter a name (client, project, event, etc.)
2. Creates a new main folder in Google Drive
3. Calls Google Apps Script to duplicate your entire template structure
4. Replaces all `{{NAME}}` placeholders in files and folder names
### Key Features
- **Simple form interface** — No technical knowledge required to use
- **Recursive duplication** — Copies all subfolders and files
- **Smart placeholders** — Automatically replaces `{{NAME}}` everywhere
- **Production-ready** — Works immediately after setup
### Prerequisites
- Google Drive account with OAuth2 credentials in n8n
- Google Apps Script deployment (code below)
- Template folder in Drive using `{{NAME}}` as placeholder
### Setup
**Step 1: Create your template folder**
```
📁 {{NAME}} - Project Files
├── 📁 01. {{NAME}} - Documents
├── 📁 02. {{NAME}} - Assets
├── 📁 03. Deliverables
└── 📄 {{NAME}} - Brief.gdoc
```
**Step 2: Deploy Apps Script**
1. Go to [script.google.com](https://script.google.com)
2. Create new project → Paste code below
3. Deploy → New deployment → Web app
4. Execute as: `Me` | Access: `Anyone`
5. Copy the deployment URL
**Step 3: Configure workflow**
Replace these placeholders:
- `DESTINATION_PARENT_FOLDER_ID` — Where new folders are created
- `YOUR_APPS_SCRIPT_URL` — URL from Step 2
- `YOUR_TEMPLATE_FOLDER_ID` — Folder to duplicate
**Step 4: Test**
Activate workflow → Open form URL → Submit a name → Check Drive!
---
### Apps Script Code
```javascript
function doPost(e) {
try {
var params = e.parameter;
var templateFolderId = params.templateFolderId;
var name = params.name;
var destinationFolderId = params.destinationFolderId;
if (!templateFolderId || !name) {
return jsonResponse({
success: false,
error: 'Missing required parameters: templateFolderId and name are required'
});
}
var templateFolder = DriveApp.getFolderById(templateFolderId);
if (destinationFolderId) {
var destinationFolder = DriveApp.getFolderById(destinationFolderId);
copyContentsRecursively(templateFolder, destinationFolder, name);
return jsonResponse({
success: true,
id: destinationFolder.getId(),
url: destinationFolder.getUrl(),
name: destinationFolder.getName(),
mode: 'copied_to_existing',
timestamp: new Date().toISOString()
});
} else {
var parentFolder = templateFolder.getParents().next();
var newFolderName = replacePlaceholders(templateFolder.getName(), name);
var newFolder = parentFolder.createFolder(newFolderName);
copyContentsRecursively(templateFolder, newFolder, name);
return jsonResponse({
success: true,
id: newFolder.getId(),
url: newFolder.getUrl(),
name: newFolder.getName(),
mode: 'created_new',
timestamp: new Date().toISOString()
});
}
} catch (error) {
return jsonResponse({
success: false,
error: error.toString()
});
}
}
function replacePlaceholders(text, name) {
var result = text;
result = result.replace(/\{\{NAME\}\}/g, name);
result = result.replace(/\{\{name\}\}/g, name.toLowerCase());
result = result.replace(/\{\{Name\}\}/g, name);
return result;
}
function copyContentsRecursively(sourceFolder, destinationFolder, name) {
var files = sourceFolder.getFiles();
while (files.hasNext()) {
try {
var file = files.next();
var newFileName = replacePlaceholders(file.getName(), name);
file.makeCopy(newFileName, destinationFolder);
Utilities.sleep(150);
} catch (error) {
Logger.log('Error copying file: ' + error.toString());
}
}
var subfolders = sourceFolder.getFolders();
while (subfolders.hasNext()) {
try {
var subfolder = subfolders.next();
var newSubfolderName = replacePlaceholders(subfolder.getName(), name);
var newSubfolder = destinationFolder.createFolder(newSubfolderName);
Utilities.sleep(200);
copyContentsRecursively(subfolder, newSubfolder, name);
} catch (error) {
Logger.log('Error copying subfolder: ' + error.toString());
}
}
}
function jsonResponse(data) {
return ContentService
.createTextOutput(JSON.stringify(data))
.setMimeType(ContentService.MimeType.JSON);
}
```
---
### Use Cases
- **Agencies** — Client folder structure on new signup
- **Freelancers** — Project folders from intake form
- **HR Teams** — Employee onboarding folders
- **Schools** — Student portfolio folders
- **Event Planners** — Event documentation folders
### Notes
- Apps Script may take +60 seconds for large structures
- Timeout is set to 5 minutes for complex templates
- Your Google account needs edit access to template and destination folders
