Skip to main content

Delete Dropbox PNG files older than 48 hours on a schedule

Workflow preview

Workflow preview
100%
Delete Dropbox PNG files older than 48 hours on a schedule preview
Open on n8n.io

1. Workflow Overview

What this workflow does This workflow automatically scans your Dropbox for files and deletes any that are older than 48 hours , helping you keep your storage clean and organized without manual e...

Best for

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

Tools used

n8n-nodes-base.scheduletrigger, n8n-nodes-base.dropbox, n8n-nodes-base.code, n8n-nodes-base.splitinbatches, n8n-nodes-base.stickynote

Source and attribution

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

Original n8n.io source

1.1 Workflow description

Title
Delete Dropbox PNG files older than 48 hours on a schedule
Workflow name
Delete Dropbox PNG files older than 48 hours on a schedule

πŸš€ What this workflow does

This workflow automatically scans your Dropbox for .png files and deletes any that are older than 48 hours, helping you keep your storage clean and organized without manual effort.

It’s ideal for workflows that generate temporary files such as AI images, exports, or cached assets.


βš™οΈ How it works

  1. Schedule Trigger Runs every 2 days to perform automated cleanup

  2. Search Dropbox Files Retrieves all .png files from your Dropbox account

  3. Filter Files (Code Node) Keeps only files that:

  • Are older than 48 hours
  • Match the .png format
  • Are not in excluded paths
  • Are not protected filenames
  1. Loop Over Items Processes files in batches to avoid API rate limits

  2. Delete Files Permanently removes the filtered files from Dropbox


🧩 Requirements

  • n8n (cloud or self-hosted)
  • Dropbox account
  • Configured Dropbox OAuth2 credentials

πŸ”§ Setup

  1. Import the workflow into n8n
  2. Connect your Dropbox OAuth2 credentials
  3. (Optional) Adjust the schedule trigger
  4. Test the workflow with sample files
  5. Activate the workflow

πŸŽ› Customization

  • Change file age limit Update the 48 hours logic inside the Code node

  • Target different file types Replace .png with .jpg, .mp4, etc.

  • Exclude additional files/folders Add paths or filenames to the exclusion list

  • Adjust execution frequency Run daily, hourly, or based on your workflow volume


⚠️ Important notes

  • Files are permanently deleted (no recovery step included)
  • Always test before enabling in production
  • Ensure correct permissions in your Dropbox credentials

πŸ’‘ Use cases

  • Clean up AI-generated images automatically
  • Manage temporary automation files
  • Prevent Dropbox storage overflow
  • Maintain clean file systems for pipelines

🏁 Summary

This workflow provides a simple and reliable way to automate file cleanup in Dropbox. By combining scheduled execution with smart filtering, it helps you maintain an efficient and clutter-free storage system.


πŸ‘‹ Need help or want to customize this workflow?

πŸ“Ί Contact: Fiverr πŸ“© Consultation: Book Appointment

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 - Schedule Trigger

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.scheduleTrigger - scheduleTrigger
Config choices
Version 1.3

Block 2 - Query

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

Block 3 - Code in JavaScript

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

Block 4 - Loop Over Items

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

Block 5 - Delete a file

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

Block 6 - πŸ“‹ Workflow Overview

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

Block 7 - Section: Deduplication

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

Block 8 - Data Table Setup Tip

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

Block 9 - Section: Deduplication1

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

Block 10 - Data Table Setup Tip1

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

Block 11 - Section: Deduplication2

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

Block 12 - Data Table Setup Tip2

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

Block 13 - Data Table Setup Tip3

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

3. Summary Table

Workflow Delete Dropbox PNG files older than 48 hours on a schedule
Complexity intermediate
Nodes 13
Categories File Management
Author Afigo Sam
Published 15 Apr 2026

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

  1. 1. Download the workflow JSON

    Use the JSON export at /data/workflows/15079/15079.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 Delete Dropbox PNG files older than 48 hours on a schedule do?

What this workflow does This workflow automatically scans your Dropbox for files and deletes any that are older than 48 hours , helping you keep your storage clean and organized without manual e...

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.