Skip to main content

Backup n8n workflows to Google Drive

Workflow preview

Workflow preview
100%
Backup n8n workflows to Google Drive preview
Open on n8n.io

Important notice

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

1. Workflow Overview

Temporary solution using the undocumented REST API for backups using Google drive. Please note that there are issues with this workflow. It does not support versioning, so please know that it will ...

Best for

  • DevOps automation workflows
  • intermediate n8n builders looking for reusable templates

Tools used

n8n-nodes-base.manualtrigger, n8n-nodes-base.merge, n8n-nodes-base.movebinarydata, n8n-nodes-base.function, n8n-nodes-base.httprequest, n8n-nodes-base.functionitem, n8n-nodes-base.googledrive, n8n-nodes-base.cron

Source and attribution

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

Original n8n.io source

1.1 Workflow description

Title
Backup n8n workflows to Google Drive
Workflow name
Backup n8n workflows to Google Drive

Temporary solution using the undocumented REST API for backups using Google drive.

Please note that there are issues with this workflow. It does not support versioning, so please know that it will create multiple copies of the workflows so if you run this daily it will make the folder grow quickly. Once I figure out how to version in Gdrive I'll update it here.

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 - On clicking 'execute'

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

Block 2 - Merge

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

Block 3 - Move Binary Data

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

Block 4 - Map

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

Block 5 - Get Workflow

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

Block 6 - Get Workflow List

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

Block 7 - FunctionItem

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

Block 8 - Google Drive

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

Block 9 - Run Daily at 2:30am

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

3. Summary Table

Workflow Backup n8n workflows to Google Drive
Complexity intermediate
Nodes 9
Categories DevOps
Author Angel Menendez
Published 30 Jun 2021

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

  1. 1. Download the workflow JSON

    Use the JSON export at /data/workflows/1150/1150.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 Backup n8n workflows to Google Drive do?

Temporary solution using the undocumented REST API for backups using Google drive. Please note that there are issues with this workflow. It does not support versioning, so please know that it will ...

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 DevOps use case.