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Parse and Extract Data from Documents/Images with Mistral OCR

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Important notice

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

1. Workflow Overview

Mistral OCR is a super convenient way to parse and extract data from multi page PDFs or single images using AI. What makes it special and differs it from the competition is that Mistral OCR also pe...

Best for

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

Tools used

n8n-nodes-base.httprequest, n8n-nodes-base.manualtrigger, n8n-nodes-base.googledrive, n8n-nodes-base.set, 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 Jimleuk.

Original n8n.io source

1.1 Workflow description

Title
Parse and Extract Data from Documents/Images with Mistral OCR
Workflow name
Parse and Extract Data from Documents/Images with Mistral OCR

Mistral OCR is a super convenient way to parse and extract data from multi-page PDFs or single images using AI.

What makes it special and differs it from the competition is that Mistral OCR also performs document page splitting and markdown conversion. This helps reduce dependencies required for document parsing workflows where tools like StirlingPDF.

Read the official documentation on Mistral OCR API here: https://docs.mistral.ai/capabilities/document/#tag/ocr/operation/ocr_v1_ocr_post

How it works

  • To access Mistral-OCR, you'll need to use Mistral Cloud API via the HTTP request node
  • Mistral OCR can only accept 2 file types: PDF and Image. Here, we use 2 different request to the Mistral-OCR API to parse a bank statement PDF and an screenshot of a bank statement to extract the tables.
  • Next, we explore a more secure method of uploading documents to the Mistral OCR API by using Mistral's cloud storage. In example 2, we first store a copy of our documents to Mistral cloud and then generate a signed URL to retreive the file before sending it to Mistral OCR. This ensures the file is not accessible publicly and protects it from unauthorised access.
  • Finally, another way to use Mistral-OCR is via document understanding. This allows you to ask questions about the document rather than extract contents from it. In example 3, I demonstrate this use-case asking Mistral-small to tell me how many deposits are shown in the bank statement.

How to use

  • Ensure your documents are either publicly accessible for Mistral-OCR or upload them to Mistral Cloud. Alternatively, signed urls from AWS S3 or 对象存储 should also work.

Requirements

  • Mistral Cloud account and API Key. You'll also need credit on your account to use Mistral-OCR.

Customising the workflow

  • Mistral-OCR also works for images such as charts and diagrams so try using it on Financial Reports.
  • Mistral-OCR is even cheaper with batching enabled. This returns your results within 24hrs but is half the price per page.

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 - Mistral Upload

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest - httpRequest
Config choices
Version 4.2

Block 2 - When clicking ‘Test workflow’

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

Block 3 - Mistral Signed URL

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest - httpRequest
Config choices
Version 4.2

Block 4 - Import PDF

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

Block 5 - Import Image

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

Block 6 - Mistral Upload1

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest - httpRequest
Config choices
Version 4.2

Block 7 - Mistral Signed URL1

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest - httpRequest
Config choices
Version 4.2

Block 8 - Mistral DOC OCR

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest - httpRequest
Config choices
Version 4.2

Block 9 - Mistral IMAGE OCR

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest - httpRequest
Config choices
Version 4.2

Block 10 - Document URL

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

Block 11 - Image URL

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

Block 12 - Sticky Note

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

Block 13 - Sticky Note1

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

Block 14 - Mistral DOC OCR1

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest - httpRequest
Config choices
Version 4.2

Block 15 - Mistral IMAGE OCR1

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest - httpRequest
Config choices
Version 4.2

Block 16 - Sticky Note2

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

Block 17 - Sticky Note3

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

Block 18 - Document URL1

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

Block 19 - Document Understanding

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest - httpRequest
Config choices
Version 4.2

Block 20 - Image URL1

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

Block 21 - Document Mis-Understanding?

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest - httpRequest
Config choices
Version 4.2

3. Summary Table

Workflow Parse and Extract Data from Documents/Images with Mistral OCR
Complexity advanced
Nodes 21
Categories Document Extraction, Multimodal AI
Author Jimleuk
Published 06 Mar 2025

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

  1. 1. Download the workflow JSON

    Use the JSON export at /data/workflows/3102/3102.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 Parse and Extract Data from Documents/Images with Mistral OCR do?

Mistral OCR is a super convenient way to parse and extract data from multi page PDFs or single images using AI. What makes it special and differs it from the competition is that Mistral OCR also pe...

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, Multimodal AI use case.