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Parse PDF, DOCX & images with Mistral OCR via Google Drive with Slack alerts

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Parse PDF, DOCX & images with Mistral OCR via Google Drive with Slack alerts preview
Open on n8n.io

Important notice

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

1. Workflow Overview

Use cases Monitor Google Drive folder, parsing PDF, DOCX and image file into a destination folder, ready for further processing (e.g. RAG ingestion, translation, etc.) Keep processing log in Google...

Best for

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

Tools used

n8n-nodes-base.googledrivetrigger, n8n-nodes-base.set, n8n-nodes-base.converttofile, n8n-nodes-base.merge, n8n-nodes-base.googledrive, n8n-nodes-base.splitout, n8n-nodes-base.httprequest, n8n-nodes-base.code

Source and attribution

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

Original n8n.io source

1.1 Workflow description

Title
Parse PDF, DOCX & images with Mistral OCR via Google Drive with Slack alerts
Workflow name
Parse PDF, DOCX & images with Mistral OCR via Google Drive with Slack alerts

Use cases

  • Monitor Google Drive folder, parsing PDF, DOCX and image file into a destination folder, ready for further processing (e.g. RAG ingestion, translation, etc.)
  • Keep processing log in Google Sheet and send Slack notifications.

How it works

  • Trigger: Watch Google Drive folder for new and updated files.
  • Create a uniquely named destination folder, copying the input file.
  • Parse the file using Mistral Document, extracting content and handling non-OCRable images separately.
  • Save the data returned by Mistral Document into the destination Google Drive folder (raw JSON file, Markdown files, and images) for further processing.

How to use

  • Google Drive and Google Sheets nodes:
    • Create Google credentials with access to Google Drive and Google Sheets. Read more about Google Credentials.
    • Update all Google Drive and Google Sheets nodes (14 nodes total) to use the credentials
  • Mistral node:
  • Slack nodes:
    • Create Slack OAuth2 credentials. Read more about Slack OAuth2 credentials
    • Update the two Slack nodes: Send Success Message and Send Error Message:
      • Set the credentials
      • Select the channel where you want to send the notifications (channels can be different for success and errors).
  • Create a Google Sheets spreadsheet following the steps in Google Sheets Configuration. Ensure the spreadsheet can be accessed as Editor by the account used by the Google Credentials above.
  • Create a directory for input files and a directory for output folders/files. Ensure the directories can be accessed by the account used by the Google Credentials.
  • Update the File Created, File Updated and Workflow Configuration node following the steps in the green Notes.

Requirements

  • Google account with Google API access
  • Mistral Cloud account access to Mistral API key.
  • Slack account with access to Slack client ID and secret ID.
  • Basic n8n knowledge: understanding of triggers, expressions, and credential management

Who’s it for

Anyone building a data pipeline ingesting files to be OCRed for further processing.

🔒 Security

All credentials are stored as n8n credentials. The only information stored in this workflow that could be considered sensitive are the Google Drive Directory and Sheet IDs. These directories and the spreadsheet should be secured according to your needs.

Need Help?

Reach out on LinkedIn or Ask in the Forum!

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 - File Created

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

Block 2 - File Updated

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

Block 3 - Set File ID

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

Block 4 - Convert to File

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

Block 5 - Merge

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

Block 6 - Save Image

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

Block 7 - Split Images

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

Block 8 - Split Pages

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

Block 9 - OCR Document

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

Block 10 - Download File

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

Block 11 - Create Folder

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

Block 12 - Copy file

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

Block 13 - Save Page MD File

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

Block 14 - Code in JavaScript

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

Block 15 - Aggregate

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

Block 16 - Save MD File

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

Block 17 - Save raw OCR file

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

Block 18 - Merge1

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

Block 19 - Add MD file in sheet

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

Block 20 - Add json file in sheet

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

Block 21 - Create Entry in sheet

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

Block 22 - Complete job in sheet

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

Block 23 - Sticky Note3

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

Block 24 - Sticky Note2

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

Showing the first 24 of 42 workflow blocks. Download the JSON for the full node graph.

3. Summary Table

Workflow Parse PDF, DOCX & images with Mistral OCR via Google Drive with Slack alerts
Complexity advanced
Nodes 42
Categories Document Extraction
Author Yves Tkaczyk
Published 29 Sept 2025

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

  1. 1. Download the workflow JSON

    Use the JSON export at /data/workflows/9084/9084.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 PDF, DOCX & images with Mistral OCR via Google Drive with Slack alerts do?

Use cases Monitor Google Drive folder, parsing PDF, DOCX and image file into a destination folder, ready for further processing (e.g. RAG ingestion, translation, etc.) Keep processing log in Google...

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 use case.