Process WhatsApp PDFs with AWS Textract OCR via S3

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1. Workflow Overview

This n8n template demonstrates how to automatically extract text content from PDF documents received via WhatsApp messages using OCR. It is designed for use cases where users submit documents throu...

Best for

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

Tools used

n8n-nodes-base.httprequest, n8n-nodes-base.awss3, n8n-nodes-base.whatsapptrigger, n8n-nodes-base.wait, n8n-nodes-base.code, 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 Spiritec.

Original n8n.io source

1.1 Workflow description

Title: Process WhatsApp PDFs with AWS Textract OCR via S3
Workflow name: Process WhatsApp PDFs with AWS Textract OCR via S3

This n8n template demonstrates how to automatically extract text content from PDF documents received via WhatsApp messages using OCR.

It is designed for use cases where users submit documents through WhatsApp and the document content needs to be digitized for further processing — such as document analysis, AI-powered workflows, compliance checks, or data ingestion.

Good to know

This workflow processes PDF documents only.
OCR is handled using AWS Textract, which supports both scanned and digital PDFs.
AWS Textract pricing depends on the number of pages processed. Refer to AWS Textract Pricing for up-to-date costs.
An AWS S3 bucket is required as an intermediate storage layer for the PDF files.
Processing time may vary depending on PDF size and number of pages.

How it works

The workflow is triggered when an incoming WhatsApp message containing a PDF document is received.
The PDF file is downloaded from WhatsApp’s media endpoint using an HTTP Request node.
The downloaded PDF is uploaded to an AWS S3 bucket to make it accessible for OCR processing.
AWS Textract is invoked to analyze the PDF stored in S3 and extract all readable text content.
The Textract response is parsed and consolidated into a clean, ordered text output representing the PDF’s content.

How to use

The workflow can be triggered using a webhook connected to WhatsApp Cloud API or any compatible WhatsApp integration.
Ensure your AWS credentials have permission to upload to S3 and invoke Textract.
Once active, simply send a PDF document via WhatsApp to start the extraction process automatically.

Requirements

WhatsApp integration (e.g. WhatsApp Cloud API or provider webhook)
AWS account with:
S3 bucket access
Textract permissions
n8n instance with HTTP Request and AWS nodes configured

Customising this workflow

Store extracted text in a database or document store.
Pass the extracted content to an AI model for summarization, classification, or validation.
Split output by pages or sections.
Add file type validation or size limits.
Extend the workflow to support additional document formats.

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 - AWS GetDocumentAnalysis

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

Block 2 - AWS StartDocumentAnalysis

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

Block 3 - Download File from S3

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.awsS3 - awsS3
Config choices: Version 2

Block 4 - Upload File to S3

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.awsS3 - awsS3
Config choices: Version 2

Block 5 - File Download

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

Block 6 - Get PDF

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

Block 7 - WhatsApp Trigger

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

Block 8 - Wait for Processing Time

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

Block 9 - Extract Text

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

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

3. Summary Table

Workflow	Process WhatsApp PDFs with AWS Textract OCR via S3
Complexity	intermediate
Nodes	14
Categories	Document Extraction, AI Summarization
Author	Spiritec
Published	19 Feb 2026

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

1. Download the workflow JSON

Use the JSON export at /data/workflows/13504/13504.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 Document Extraction workflows AI Summarization workflows

Frequently asked questions

What does Process WhatsApp PDFs with AWS Textract OCR via S3 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 Document Extraction, AI Summarization use case.

Spiritec

4 workflows

Nodes

n8n-nodes-base.httprequest n8n-nodes-base.awss3 n8n-nodes-base.whatsapptrigger n8n-nodes-base.wait n8n-nodes-base.code n8n-nodes-base.stickynote

Complexity

intermediate

Published 19 Feb 2026

Likes 0

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Install path: /data/workflows/13504/13504.json

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Process WhatsApp PDFs with AWS Textract OCR via S3

Workflow preview

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 - AWS GetDocumentAnalysis

Block 2 - AWS StartDocumentAnalysis

Block 3 - Download File from S3

Block 4 - Upload File to S3

Block 5 - File Download

Block 6 - Get PDF

Block 7 - WhatsApp Trigger

Block 8 - Wait for Processing Time

Block 9 - Extract Text

Block 10 - Sticky Note

Block 11 - Sticky Note1

Block 12 - Sticky Note2

Block 13 - Sticky Note3

Block 14 - 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