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Monitor Dropbox folders for new files with DB comparison

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Important notice

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

1. Workflow Overview

Here's the corrected English text: Dropbox Folder Monitoring Workflow As we don't have (yet?) a Dropbox node "Watching new files" or "Watching folder", I created this central workflow to do it. How...

Best for

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

Tools used

n8n-nodes-base.webhook, n8n-nodes-base.stickynote, n8n-nodes-base.dropbox, n8n-nodes-base.switch, n8n-nodes-base.nocodb, n8n-nodes-base.merge, n8n-nodes-base.respondtowebhook, n8n-nodes-base.set

Source and attribution

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

Original n8n.io source

1.1 Workflow description

Title
Monitor Dropbox folders for new files with DB comparison
Workflow name
Monitor Dropbox folders for new files with DB comparison

Here's the corrected English text:

Dropbox Folder Monitoring Workflow

As we don't have (yet?) a Dropbox node "Watching new files" or "Watching folder", I created this central workflow to do it.

How it works

  • Triggered by Dropbox webhook
  • I respond immediately to Dropbox to avoid webhook disabling
  • Then I add/duplicate one branch per monitored folder, according to my needs

In my case, I need to monitor several folders, like "vocal notes to process", "transcriptions to LinkedIn posts" or "quotes to add".

This workflow shows 2 types of folder monitoring:

  1. Way #1: Each file in the monitored folder calls a sub-workflow
  2. Way #2: We get all files from the monitored folder and compare them to a database. If the file is not listed in DB, i supposed it's new one.

Way #1 - We get all files from the monitored folder

  1. I set a variable folder_to_watch to indicate which folder to monitor. This step is here just to be homogeneous and allow setting the folder path only once in this branch.
  2. I list the folder files
  3. We keep only files (exclude folders)
  4. Then I call the specialized sub-workflow

Way #2 - We want only new files from the monitored folder

  1. I set a variable folder_to_watch to indicate which folder to monitor
  2. I list the folder files and keep only files
  3. Meanwhile, I query my DB to get known files about this folder (I send the query to NocoDB (folder_to_watch,eq,{{ $json.folder_to_watch }}))
  4. Now I can exclude old files and keep only new ones by merging (I compare from Dropbox file id - as the file could be renamed by the user)
  5. I add the new file in DB to be sure to recognize it next time - I save the JSON Dropbox data:
{
"id":"{{ $json.id }}",
"name":"{{ $json.name }}",
"lastModifiedClient": "{{ $json.lastModifiedClient }}",
"lastModifiedServer": "{{ $json.lastModifiedServer }}",
"rev": "{{ $json.rev }}",
"contentSize": {{ $json.contentSize }},
"type": "{{ $json.type }}",
"contentHash": "{{ $json.contentHash }}",
"pathLower": "{{ $json.pathLower }}",
"pathDisplay": "{{ $json.pathDisplay }}",
"isDownloadable": {{ $json.isDownloadable }}
}
  1. And now I can call my sub-workflow :)

My DB

Columns details:

  • folder_to_watch
  • data (json/text)
  • timestamp
  • file_id (Dropbox file ID, to ease future searches)

My vision:

  • I have only one workflow in my n8n that monitors Dropbox folders/files
  • This workflow calls the required sub-workflow specialized for the tasks required
  • I will have as many branches as I have folders to monitor (if I have 5 different folders to watch, I will get 5 branches and 5 sub-workflows)

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 - Webhook

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

Block 2 - Sticky Note1

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

Block 3 - Sticky Note

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

Block 4 - Sticky Note2

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

Block 5 - Sticky Note3

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

Block 6 - Dropbox - List watched folder

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

Block 7 - Switch File vs Folder

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.switch - switch
Config choices
Version 3.2

Block 8 - Switch File vs Folder1

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.switch - switch
Config choices
Version 3.2

Block 9 - NocoDB - Get know files to exclude

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

Block 10 - Merge - Keep only new items

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

Block 11 - Just a quick answer to Dropbox - webhook validation

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

Block 12 - Respond to Dropbox in less than 10sec

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

Block 13 - Dropbox get files

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

Block 14 - NocoDB - Add this file in the table

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

Block 15 - set_folder A

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

Block 16 - set_folder to watch B

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

Block 17 - Execute Workflow - what i want to do for this folder/file A

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.executeWorkflow - executeWorkflow
Config choices
Version 1.2

Block 18 - Execute Workflow - Something to do for new files

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.executeWorkflow - executeWorkflow
Config choices
Version 1.2

Block 19 - Sticky Note4

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

Block 20 - Sticky Note5

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

3. Summary Table

Workflow Monitor Dropbox folders for new files with DB comparison
Complexity advanced
Nodes 20
Categories File Management
Author David Levesque
Published 23 Mar 2025

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

  1. 1. Download the workflow JSON

    Use the JSON export at /data/workflows/3297/3297.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 Monitor Dropbox folders for new files with DB comparison do?

Here's the corrected English text: Dropbox Folder Monitoring Workflow As we don't have (yet?) a Dropbox node "Watching new files" or "Watching folder", I created this central workflow to do it. How...

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.