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Auto-convert OneDrive Word documents to PDF with Foxit and send via Gmail

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Important notice

This workflow is provided as-is. Please review and test before using in production.

1. Workflow Overview

This n8n template demonstrates how to add a document conversion process to incoming Word documents in a OneDrive folder. Documents are converted to PDF and emailed to a reviewer. Use cases would be...

Best for

  • File Management automation workflows
  • intermediate n8n builders looking for reusable templates

Tools used

n8n-nodes-base.microsoftonedrivetrigger, n8n-nodes-base.microsoftonedrive, n8n-nodes-base.set, n8n-nodes-base.httprequest, n8n-nodes-base.filter, n8n-nodes-base.wait, n8n-nodes-base.if, n8n-nodes-base.gmail

Source and attribution

This workflow is cataloged by N8N Workflows and links back to its original n8n.io source page by Raymond Camden.

Original n8n.io source

1.1 Workflow description

Title
Auto-convert OneDrive Word documents to PDF with Foxit and send via Gmail
Workflow name
Auto-convert OneDrive Word documents to PDF with Foxit and send via Gmail

This n8n template demonstrates how to add a document conversion process to incoming Word documents in a OneDrive folder. Documents are converted to PDF and emailed to a reviewer.

Use cases would be environments where incoming documents are dropped into cloud storage and a human needs to review them. By converting to PDF, it becomes easier to read in a consistent format in the browser.

How it works

  • Listen for new files added in a OneDrive folder, identified by an ID
  • Download the bits of the new document if the file was a Micrsoft Word document (the API I'm using can convert any Office document, but wanted to start simple)
  • Upload to Foxit's API service, convert to PDF, and download when done
  • Use GMail to mail the PDF to a human reviewer.

How to use

  • You'll need to determine a OneDrive folder ID to monitor, or select an entire account instead, just be careful when testing.
  • When the workflow is done, it emails to myself, so please connect your own GMail and set a preferred email address for testing.

Requirements

  • A Microsoft OneDrive account
  • Foxit developer account (https://developer-api.foxit.com)
  • A Gmail account
  • At least one Word document - we all have that, right?

Next Steps

This workflow could be modified to work with any Office style document, and could also upload the PDF version back to OneDrive.

1.2 Logical Blocks

This catalog entry is organized from the workflow JSON. The node-level section below shows the executable blocks available for review before importing the template.

2. Block-by-Block Analysis

Block 1 - Microsoft OneDrive Trigger

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.microsoftOneDriveTrigger - microsoftOneDriveTrigger
Config choices
Version 1

Block 2 - Get File

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.microsoftOneDrive - microsoftOneDrive
Config choices
Version 1

Block 3 - Set File Field

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.set - set
Config choices
Version 3.4

Block 4 - Convert to PDF

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest - httpRequest
Config choices
Version 4.2

Block 5 - Filter to Word

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.filter - filter
Config choices
Version 2.2

Block 6 - Upload to Foxit

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest - httpRequest
Config choices
Version 4.2

Block 7 - Check Task

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest - httpRequest
Config choices
Version 4.2

Block 8 - Wait

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.wait - wait
Config choices
Version 1.1

Block 9 - Is the job done?

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.if - if
Config choices
Version 2.2

Block 10 - Download

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest - httpRequest
Config choices
Version 4.2

Block 11 - Email PDF

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.gmail - gmail
Config choices
Version 2.1

Block 12 - Sticky Note

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices
Version 1

Block 13 - Sticky Note1

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices
Version 1

3. Summary Table

Workflow Auto-convert OneDrive Word documents to PDF with Foxit and send via Gmail
Complexity intermediate
Nodes 13
Categories File Management
Author Raymond Camden
Published 14 Jul 2025

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

  1. 1. Download the workflow JSON

    Use the JSON export at /data/workflows/6007/6007.json as the source template for this automation.

  2. 2. Import the template into n8n

    Open n8n, import the downloaded JSON, and review each node before activating the workflow.

  3. 3. Configure credentials and variables

    Replace placeholder credentials, API keys, webhook URLs, account IDs, and environment-specific values with your own settings.

  4. 4. Test with sample data

    Run the workflow manually or in a staging workspace, inspect node output, and confirm downstream systems receive the expected data.

  5. 5. Activate and monitor

    Enable the workflow only after testing, then monitor executions, errors, and rate limits during the first production runs.

5. General Notes & Resources

Review imported nodes carefully before activation. This catalog entry is intended to help you inspect the workflow structure, understand required services, and find related templates faster.

Node names, credentials, schedules, webhook paths, and external service limits may need adjustment for your workspace.

Frequently asked questions

What does Auto-convert OneDrive Word documents to PDF with Foxit and send via Gmail do?

This n8n template demonstrates how to add a document conversion process to incoming Word documents in a OneDrive folder. Documents are converted to PDF and emailed to a reviewer. Use cases would be...

What do I need before importing this workflow?

Review the workflow JSON, configure any required credentials in n8n, and test the automation in a safe workspace before using it in production.

Can I customize this workflow?

Yes. Use the block-by-block analysis and the downloadable JSON to inspect each node, then adjust credentials, prompts, schedules, filters, or destinations for your File Management use case.