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Extract text from Google Drive images with OCR.space, OpenRouter AI summary to sheets & Gmail

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Extract text from Google Drive images with OCR.space, OpenRouter AI summary to sheets & Gmail preview
Open on n8n.io

Important notice

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

1. Workflow Overview

How it works This workflow automatically detects new image files uploaded to a Google Drive folder, extracts Japanese text using OCR, summarizes it with AI, and records the result in Google Sheets....

Best for

  • Document Extraction automation workflows
  • AI Summarization automation workflows
  • advanced n8n builders looking for reusable templates

Tools used

@n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.lmchatopenrouter, n8n-nodes-base.googlesheets, n8n-nodes-base.googledrivetrigger, n8n-nodes-base.googledrive, n8n-nodes-base.httprequest, n8n-nodes-base.code, @n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.agent, 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 Tsubasa Shukuwa.

Original n8n.io source

1.1 Workflow description

Title
Extract text from Google Drive images with OCR.space, OpenRouter AI summary to sheets & Gmail
Workflow name
Extract text from Google Drive images with OCR.space, OpenRouter AI summary to sheets & Gmail

How it works

This workflow automatically detects new image files uploaded to a Google Drive folder, extracts Japanese text using OCR, summarizes it with AI, and records the result in Google Sheets.
Finally, it sends a completion email notification with the file name and summary.

Workflow steps:

  1. Google Drive New File Trigger – Watches a specific Google Drive folder for new image uploads.
  2. Download Image File – Downloads the newly uploaded image for processing.
  3. Extract Text with OCR.space – Sends the image to the OCR.space API to extract text (Japanese supported).
  4. Format OCR Result & Check for Empty – Cleans and validates the extracted text.
  5. Generate Summary with OpenRouter AI – Uses an AI model to generate a short summary of the text.
  6. OpenRouter Chat Model – Connects the AI Agent to the OpenRouter language model.
  7. Append row in sheet – Adds the file name, AI summary, and processing date to Google Sheets.
  8. Send Completion Notification via Gmail – Sends an email with the summarized content and Google Sheets link.
  9. Process Completed – Marks the workflow’s successful end.

Setup steps

  1. Connect your Google Drive, Google Sheets, and Gmail accounts through credentials.
  2. Set your OCR.space API key in the HTTP Request node.
  3. Add your OpenRouter API key credential for the AI node.
  4. Replace the Google Sheet ID and folder ID with your own.
  5. Customize the Gmail recipient and email message as needed.
  6. Adjust the polling frequency (e.g., every 1 minute) depending on your workflow needs.

Ideal for

  • Digitizing and summarizing handwritten or printed book pages.
  • Automatically extracting and archiving text from scanned reports or notes.
  • Businesses or educators automating document reading and summarization tasks.

⚙️ Note:
Each node includes a clear English Sticky Note above it for easier understanding and documentation.

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 - OpenRouter Chat Model1

Type / Role
@n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.lmChatOpenRouter - lmChatOpenRouter
Config choices
Version 1

Block 2 - Append row in sheet1

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.googleSheets - googleSheets
Config choices
Version 4.7

Block 3 - Google Drive New File Trigger1

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

Block 4 - Download Image File1

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

Block 5 - Extract Text with OCR.space1

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest - httpRequest
Config choices
Version 4.3

Block 6 - Format OCR Result & Check for Empty1

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

Block 7 - Generate Summary with OpenRouter AI1

Type / Role
@n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.agent - agent
Config choices
Version 3

Block 8 - Send Completion Notification via Gmail1

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

Block 9 - Process Completed1

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

Block 10 - Sticky Note

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

Block 11 - Sticky Note1

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

Block 12 - Sticky Note2

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

Block 13 - Sticky Note3

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

Block 14 - Sticky Note4

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

Block 15 - Sticky Note5

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

3. Summary Table

Workflow Extract text from Google Drive images with OCR.space, OpenRouter AI summary to sheets & Gmail
Complexity advanced
Nodes 15
Categories Document Extraction, AI Summarization
Author Tsubasa Shukuwa
Published 05 Nov 2025

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

  1. 1. Download the workflow JSON

    Use the JSON export at /data/workflows/10541/10541.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 Extract text from Google Drive images with OCR.space, OpenRouter AI summary to sheets & Gmail do?

How it works This workflow automatically detects new image files uploaded to a Google Drive folder, extracts Japanese text using OCR, summarizes it with AI, and records the result in Google Sheets....

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 Document Extraction, AI Summarization use case.