Copy folder structure without files in Google Drive

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Important notice

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

1. Workflow Overview

Why? Google Drive desktop lets you copy full folders—contents and all. But what if you only want to copy the folder names (not the files) from one drive location to another? Maybe you're reusing a ...

Best for

File Management automation workflows
intermediate n8n builders looking for reusable templates

Tools used

n8n-nodes-base.manualtrigger, n8n-nodes-base.googledrive, n8n-nodes-base.stickynote, n8n-nodes-base.splitinbatches, n8n-nodes-base.set, n8n-nodes-base.code, n8n-nodes-base.if, n8n-nodes-base.merge

Source and attribution

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

Original n8n.io source

1.1 Workflow description

Title: Copy folder structure without files in Google Drive
Workflow name: Copy folder structure without files in Google Drive

Why?

Google Drive desktop lets you copy full folders—contents and all. But what if you only want to copy the folder names (not the files) from one drive location to another? Maybe you're reusing a folder structure or duplicating a template structure, but without this workflow each copy will hold different content. This n8n workflow helps you clone just the structure—no clutter, no file duplicates.

How it works

Load this workflow into your n8n instance
Setup GDRIVE credentials if you have not already (see video below)
Double-click "edit this node"
Enter the SOURCE folder ID (into "EDIT_THIS_NODE") - see image on where to get folder ID
Enter the DESTINATION folder ID
Run the workflow

What it does

Creates all new folders in destination that were in the source folder
Skips folders in destination that already exist

What it doesn't do (yet)

Does not copy over any nested folders
Does not copy over any files

Requirements

n8n
Google drive API must be setup in your n8n ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ai1EPznlAc](5min vid how to do that))

Future Updates

If I get requests for these features I would build them:

Copy nested folder structure within the destination drive.
Flag (on/off) - to copy nested folder structure
Better error handling
Some kind of feedback output log on what was created

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 - When clicking ‘Test workflow’

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

Block 2 - Get_Folders_SOURCE

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.googleDrive - googleDrive
Config choices: Version 3

Block 3 - Sticky Note

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

Block 4 - Sticky Note1

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

Block 5 - Loop Over Items

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.splitInBatches - splitInBatches
Config choices: Version 3

Block 6 - EDIT_THIS_NODE

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

Block 7 - Create Folder

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

Block 8 - Check if folder exists

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.code - code
Config choices: Version 2

Block 9 - If exists

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

Block 10 - Get_Folders_DESTINATION

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.googleDrive - googleDrive
Config choices: Version 3

Block 11 - Set Destination Names

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

Block 12 - Merge_Folder_Context

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.merge - merge
Config choices: Version 3.1

3. Summary Table

Workflow	Copy folder structure without files in Google Drive
Complexity	intermediate
Nodes	12
Categories	File Management
Author	Builds.Cool
Published	20 May 2025

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

1. Download the workflow JSON

Use the JSON export at /data/workflows/4240/4240.json as the source template for this automation.
2. Import the template into n8n

Open n8n, import the downloaded JSON, and review each node before activating the workflow.
3. Configure credentials and variables

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

Download workflow JSON Original n8n.io source File Management workflows

Frequently asked questions

What does Copy folder structure without files in Google Drive do?

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.

Builds.Cool

2 workflows

Nodes

n8n-nodes-base.manualtrigger n8n-nodes-base.googledrive n8n-nodes-base.stickynote n8n-nodes-base.splitinbatches n8n-nodes-base.set n8n-nodes-base.code n8n-nodes-base.if n8n-nodes-base.merge

Complexity

intermediate

Published 20 May 2025

Likes 0

View on n8n.io Download Workflow

Install path: /data/workflows/4240/4240.json

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Copy folder structure without files in Google Drive

Workflow preview

Important notice

1. Workflow Overview

Best for

Tools used

Source and attribution

1.1 Workflow description

Why?

How it works

What it does

What it doesn't do (yet)

Requirements

Future Updates

1.2 Logical Blocks

2. Block-by-Block Analysis

Block 1 - When clicking ‘Test workflow’

Block 2 - Get_Folders_SOURCE

Block 3 - Sticky Note

Block 4 - Sticky Note1

Block 5 - Loop Over Items

Block 6 - EDIT_THIS_NODE

Block 7 - Create Folder

Block 8 - Check if folder exists

Block 9 - If exists

Block 10 - Get_Folders_DESTINATION

Block 11 - Set Destination Names

Block 12 - Merge_Folder_Context

3. Summary Table

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

1. Download the workflow JSON

2. Import the template into n8n

3. Configure credentials and variables

4. Test with sample data

5. Activate and monitor

5. General Notes & Resources

Frequently asked questions