Process multiple files with forms: a tutorial on binary data and loops

Open on n8n.io

$20/month : Unlimited workflows

2500 executions/month

Try free

THE #1 IN WEB SCRAPING

Scrape any website without limits

Try free

HOSTINGER

Early Deal
DISCOUNT 20%

Self-hosted n8n

Unlimited workflows - from $4.99/mo

Try free

#1 hub for scraping, AI & automation

6000+ actors - $5 credits/mo

Try free

Important notice

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

1. Workflow Overview

Let a user load multiple files with a Form node, and process the binary data. A very important workflow for many tools. This is a learning example of several core concepts that are hard to grasp in...

Best for

File Management automation workflows
intermediate n8n builders looking for reusable templates

Tools used

n8n-nodes-base.splitinbatches, n8n-nodes-base.readwritefile, n8n-nodes-base.splitout, n8n-nodes-base.formtrigger, n8n-nodes-base.stickynote, n8n-nodes-base.noop

Source and attribution

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

Original n8n.io source

1.1 Workflow description

Title: Process multiple files with forms: a tutorial on binary data and loops
Workflow name: Process multiple files with forms: a tutorial on binary data and loops

Let a user load multiple files with a Form node, and process the binary data. A very important workflow for many tools.

This is a learning example of several core concepts that are hard to grasp in n8n:

$binary data
Loop and $runIndex
Split Out

The Save File deomonstrates how to access the binary data correctly, but could be swapped to POST the files to an AI, for example.

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 - Loop Over Items

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

Block 2 - Save Each File

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

Block 3 - Split Out Files

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

Block 4 - Form - Load Multiple Files

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.formTrigger - formTrigger
Config choices: Version 2.2

Block 5 - Sticky Note

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

Block 6 - Sticky Note1

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

Block 7 - Sticky Note2

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

Block 8 - Sticky Note3

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

Block 9 - Continue Once

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

Block 10 - Sticky Note4

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

3. Summary Table

Workflow	Process multiple files with forms: a tutorial on binary data and loops
Complexity	intermediate
Nodes	10
Categories	File Management
Author	Wyeth
Published	28 Jun 2025

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

1. Download the workflow JSON

Use the JSON export at /data/workflows/5419/5419.json as the source template for this automation.
2. Import the template into n8n

Open n8n, import the downloaded JSON, and review each node before activating the workflow.
3. Configure credentials and variables

Replace placeholder credentials, API keys, webhook URLs, account IDs, and environment-specific values with your own settings.
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. 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.

Download workflow JSON Original n8n.io source File Management workflows

Frequently asked questions

What does Process multiple files with forms: a tutorial on binary data and loops do?

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.

Wyeth

6 workflows

Nodes

n8n-nodes-base.splitinbatches n8n-nodes-base.readwritefile n8n-nodes-base.splitout n8n-nodes-base.formtrigger n8n-nodes-base.stickynote n8n-nodes-base.noop

Complexity

intermediate

Published 28 Jun 2025

Likes 0

View on n8n.io Download Workflow

Install path: /data/workflows/5419/5419.json

Share Your Workflow

Have a useful automation to share? Publish it and help the community.

Submit Your Template How to Submit

Related Workflows

Export WordPress data to a CSV file

## Quick Overview This workflow manually exports all records from a WordPress site, converts the returned JSON into a CSV file, and saves the CSV to disk on the n8n server. ## How it works 1. Starts when you manually click Execute in n8n. 2. Fetches all available items from your connected WordPress site via the WordPress API. 3. Converts the WordPress JSON response into a CSV file. 4. Writes the generated CSV to the n8n server as `data.csv`. ## Setup 1. Add WordPress API credentials in n8n (site URL, username, and an Application Password). 2. Choose the WordPress resource to export in the WordPress node and confirm the data shape matches what you want in the CSV. 3. Update the output file path/name in the file-writing step and ensure the target directory is writable on your n8n host (for example `/home/node/.n8n/data.csv`).

View

Aggregate shipment tracking statuses with FedEx, UPS and DHL

## Quick Overview This workflow runs every 15 minutes to fetch active shipments from an n8n Data Table, query FedEx, UPS, or DHL tracking APIs with circuit-breaker protection, normalize each response into a shared status schema, and upsert the latest status back into the same table. ## How it works 1. Runs every 15 minutes on a schedule. 2. Loads all rows from the n8n Data Table `shipment_tracking` and filters out shipments already marked as DELIVERED or RETURNED_TO_SENDER. 3. Routes each remaining shipment by `carrier` and marks unsupported carriers with a canonicalStatus of UNKNOWN. 4. For FedEx, UPS, and DHL shipments, checks a per-carrier circuit breaker and either calls the carrier’s tracking API or skips the call when the breaker is open. 5. Normalizes each carrier response (or skip) into a canonical status (for example PRE_TRANSIT, IN_TRANSIT, OUT_FOR_DELIVERY, DELIVERED, EXCEPTION, UNKNOWN) while updating the breaker state based on 429/5xx/network failures. 6. Merges all carrier results and upserts the latest fields back into the `shipment_tracking` Data Table using `trackingNumber` as the match key. ## Setup 1. Create the n8n Data Table named `shipment_tracking` with columns such as `trackingNumber`, `carrier`, `canonicalStatus`, `rawStatus`, `breakerState`, `httpStatus`, and `checkedAt`, and seed it with shipments (use lowercase carriers: `fedex`, `ups`, `dhl`). 2. Add OAuth2 credentials for the FedEx Track API and select them in the FedEx HTTP request step. 3. Add OAuth2 credentials for the UPS Track API and select them in the UPS HTTP request step. 4. Add DHL API authentication (as configured for the DHL request in this template) and select it in the DHL HTTP request step. 5. Activate the workflow so workflow static data persists between runs and the circuit breaker state is maintained.

View

Clean up watched Jellyfin media and completed torrents with Transmission

## Quick Overview This scheduled workflow cleans up watched media in Jellyfin and removes completed torrents from Transmission by calling both APIs, deleting played items in Jellyfin, refreshing the Jellyfin library, and deleting torrents (including local data) once they reach the completed status. ## How it works 1. Runs daily on a schedule at the configured hour. 2. Sets the Jellyfin base URL, Jellyfin user ID, and Transmission base URL used for subsequent API calls. 3. Fetches played Movies and Episodes from Jellyfin for the configured user, deletes each returned item, and triggers a Jellyfin library refresh. 4. Calls the Transmission RPC endpoint to retrieve the required X-Transmission-Session-Id, then re-requests the torrent list using that session header. 5. Splits the Transmission response into individual torrents, filters to those with status 6 (completed), and removes each matching torrent while also deleting its local data. ## Setup 1. Add Jellyfin HTTP Header Auth credentials (for example, an API key header) and fill in the Jellyfin server URL and target Jellyfin user ID in the Variables step. 2. Add Transmission Bearer Auth credentials and set your Transmission base URL in the Variables step. 3. Confirm your Transmission instance allows RPC access at `/transmission/rpc` and that your Jellyfin server exposes the `/Users/{userId}/Items`, `/Items/{id}`, and `/Library/Refresh` endpoints for the provided credentials.

View

Need Custom Automation?

Get help designing a custom n8n workflow that connects your stack and fits your process.

Process multiple files with forms: a tutorial on binary data and loops

Workflow preview

Important notice

1. Workflow Overview

Best for

Tools used

Source and attribution

1.1 Workflow description

1.2 Logical Blocks

2. Block-by-Block Analysis

Block 1 - Loop Over Items

Block 2 - Save Each File

Block 3 - Split Out Files

Block 4 - Form - Load Multiple Files

Block 5 - Sticky Note

Block 6 - Sticky Note1

Block 7 - Sticky Note2

Block 8 - Sticky Note3

Block 9 - Continue Once

Block 10 - Sticky Note4

3. Summary Table

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

1. Download the workflow JSON

2. Import the template into n8n

3. Configure credentials and variables

4. Test with sample data

5. Activate and monitor

5. General Notes & Resources

Frequently asked questions